Disneyland Surprise

Its been some time since we went on our Disneyland vacation. Better to document late then never though right, especially as sickness has taken over our household. Our annual Disneyland trip was moved around quite a few times again this year due to school and work schedules, mainly school. We finally settled it down to August 6th so that is what the kids thought, but we had to change it to July 6th sort of last minute and we decided why not surprise the kids!

We have been interested in trying out new playgrounds and decided one in St. George called Thunder Junction looked pretty epic. We talked it up with the kids saying how cool it would be, complete with showing YouTube videos and all. The kids were pumped and we figured this is a perfect almost half way point to California so why not plan a day trip in the kids eyes and go to the awesome Dinosaur Playground.

The kids were so excited to leave one Friday morning. The night before we packed up the van and got it all ready for a 10 day vacation to Disneyland while they thought it would be a day trip. Do you know how hard it is to pack up your kids clothes and everything without them noticing? Somehow we succeeded though. The kids handled the trip quite well but we were a little later then we wanted to be due to a late start heading off from home. I like to overpack okay!

When we arrived at the park we had PB+J for lunch and then played out hearts out. Andie, Jake and Brooklyn loved the park. Yes some structures were a bit too hot to touch because of the St. George heat but overall it was a blast. Of course after we explored it all we had to try out the splash pad area. The kids LOVED it and we really should of had them wear some swim suits because the clothes they were wearing were drenched. We tried to roll up their pants at first and at least saved their shoes, but by the end there wasn't a single dry spot on them, shirts, hair and all.

This swing Andie and Brooklyn were not a fan, Jake loved it. It was like a tram type swing that swung you across a large distance. I'm sorry Andie but you were such a trooper. Brooklyn we were a bit easy on and didn't let her run the whole track. Jake was in complete heaven and wanted to keep doing it haha, preview of how Disneyland will probably be this year!

Once the kids were almost completely dry from playing on the playground again of course they had to go back in the water splash pad. This is when Zach and I knew that we would have to tell the kids about Disneyland today and not keep it a surprise until the hotel or even until tomorrow, darn! At the water fountain we had a little too much fun though and the kids kept spraying water at each other and Mom and Dad. Mom started it so I couldn't get mad at anyone haha.

What your kids don't drink the disgusting splash pad water?

We knew we would have to get back on the road if we wanted to make it to California at a decent time of night but they didn't get as much play time as we wanted them to have or as much time as they wanted to have. So we had to pull them aside, which didn't work well for Jake and Brooklyn as they were way to sidetracked and didn't believe anything we were telling them, they were so worried their fun was over and we would have to go home. We filmed the kids as we told them we were half way to Disneyland so lets just drive there instead of home. They didn't know if they should believe us or not. Of course they wanted to go to Disneyland and kept telling us okay lets drive home and get our things then go to Disneyland. Trying to explain I already packed their things in the van was a little difficult but we finally managed to pull them away from the park. Andie kept saying how we pranked her, it was cute!

We were on our way to Disneyland with some very excited kids. We promised them we would try to come back to the Dinosaur playground in St. George again someday to make up for such a short visit. The kids managed the rest of the trip like champs and we actually didn't stop as many times as we thought we would have too. Good thing we waited on potty training Brooklyn haha. We did find the coolest ever gas station just outside of Vegas once you get into California and it is going to be one of our traditional gas stops from here on out. The bathroom sayings were epic and the store was ginormous, we all loved it! Great place to stretch your legs.

Creepy dude in a plane when you first walk into the most amazing gas station ever!

Gas station is across from this place basically, I didn't have the address so I had to take a picture of something I could look up the address of it for future trips. Yes that is the way we roll!

We were so excited to get to the hotel but with it being later then we wanted we didn't really have much time to get some food to take into the parks like we usually do, that will have to wait. The kids were ecstatic to sleep in the hotel and we had them all lay sideways on one bed and it worked out perfectly. Tomorrow when we wake it is an early day at DISNEYLAND, we are SO EXCITED!

When you and your kids are prone to car sickness sometimes your drink cups come in handy for buckets, just saying. Lucky for us it was never actually used but Brooklyn's whole face fit inside it so that was adorable!

Hotel excitement and unable to sleep, don't worry it happened though eventually. The hotel room was SO HOT that first night we arrived because the A/C was turned off all day. The only reason the kids have blankets on in this photo is because I took all their pants off to sleep but decided a modest picture was better plus how awkward. Don't worry we had a note put into the hotel and it was freezing cold the rest of the week haha.