Everybody sing along!
We have discovered a way to get your kid to NEVER want to come back to Disneyland. First, spend two weeks hyping up the fun of the park by making promises of meeting Mickey Mouse and his friends and riding fun rides. Now, here's the important part. When you first get to the park, the first ride to take him on is the Finding Nemo Submarines so he is scared of dark lights and loud noises. Then you need to make him hate roller coasters by whipping him around on the Matterhorn. Add to his experience by deafening him and scaring him in dark places on the Buzz Lightyear ride. Oh, and don't forget to run across the way to Star Tours to frighten him on a real-to-life (to him, anyway) motion ride. Finally, seal the deal on Splash Mountain. He'll be afraid of being squirted with water, freaky singing animals in dim lit caves, and flying down a water slide. You'll know you were successful when after only two hours (because the park was nearly empty), your tear-streaked child is screaming "All done Disneyland" and "I want to go back to Mommy's house!"
Yes, this was our experience. After only two hours, we were feeling like parents who had cheated our kid out of a great time at Disneyland. With our expert guide and Fave, Aunt "Bobby," we ran over to California Adventure, ate lunch and rode Soarin' Over California. Jackson LOVED that ride; and we ended up going on it twice. (Believe me, there were NO lines today. I don't count standing in line for 5-10 minutes a line at the parks.) Jackson's other favorite rides were Mike and Sully, the Carousel, the Playhouse Disney Live show, and the Backlot Stage Show. Matt and LeMira's favorite ride was the Tower of Terror, although we both believe it should have been longer.
Of course, the highlights of Jackson's day were meeting characters. Tomorrow, we'll be spending the time in Toon Town and doing things just for him. Today was a day that Aunt Bonnie watched Jackson so Matt and I could ride all of the rides that Jackson can't or that we know he'd scream on.
I hope he enjoys tomorrow more. Be sure to go to the Billy Hill show at the Golden Horseshoe Revue across from the riverboat! It is a clappin' and stompin' good time!!!
ReplyDeleteIt was so fun to talk to Bonnie and Jackson last night while you and Matt were off on a ride! I asked him which ride he liked and he said "The scarey one!" with a giggle. Don't know which one that WAS... I can't believe you took him on the Matterhorn! Are you planning to go on the Jungle Boat Cruise? Well, the boat and the water alone might be too much... Thanks for posting with the beautiful pictures!! Have more fun! I LOVE Soarin' Over California! I could ride that one twice in a row. Love to all of you in sunny Cal!
ReplyDeleteThis post was cracking me up! I have thought so much about taking Luke to Disneyland, but I know this would be our experience, and why pay to have this kind of experience? I hope Toon Town goes much better!
ReplyDeleteYes, Emma found lots to be scared of at Disneyland, but meeting the princesses made everything worth it. Well, there were actually tons of things that made it worth it. We knew she was a wimp so we didn't take her on ANYTHING that might be remotely scary.
ReplyDeleteThe Tower of Terror was definitely our favorite ride too! So loved it.
Looks like you guys are having a great time! YAY!
ReplyDeleteAAAAAAHhhhhh! I am SO jealous!! I have been bugging my husband for AGES to take me there. It's been so long! But he had to go there every year for band so he's not a huge fan. Anyway, I'm prepping him to take our daughter in 3 or 4 years. Sounds like 4 years will be a better bet.
ReplyDeleteI hope things go better in Toon Town for you. I have to admit, I was scared of most of the rides in Disneyland (except of course the tea cups) until I was nearly in MIDDLE SCHOOL. Yeah. But anyway, sounds like a great time!
I remember going to Disneyland when I was kid and being TERRIFIED of the "It's a small world" ride. I was bawling through the whole thing. Those giant robots were scary! It's funny what scares kids. But I do have fond memories of the tea cups, ect. I can't wait to hear about this when you get home. Miss you!
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