The Happiest Place on Earth

On our last morning at Disneyland, we woke up early so we could fit in everything the girls wanted to do one last time. At breakfast, the girls told us what rides they wanted to go on, so Eric and I mapped out a plan for our last day in the parks. 

Our morning began in Discoveryland and this time Eric won the family challenge by getting the most points on the Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast. Our time was then spent in Fantasyland, sailing on the Peter Pan ride and the other ones we did on the first day. Eric took the girls for a Carousel ride, while I waited in line for a visit with the Disney Princesses. 

 The Princess Pavilion was not scheduled to open for 30 more minutes and then the Princesses would not arrive for another 20 minutes plus when I got into line. This visit would be our longest wait time for an attraction at the Park, but it was still shorter than any of the previous days' waiting times of over 60 plus minutes. While waiting to enter the Pavilion which looked like a mini castle, we learned we could visit with either Snow White or Cinderella and the girls would not get to choose who, but this did not really seem to matter to them as they were just excited to visit with a Disney Princess. They opened the doors on time, so we could wander through the decorated queuing hall with the various Princess's castles and their respective identity item. As we walked through, the girls were quick to identify which Princess belonged with each picture and item. When it was our turn, the girls asked  if they would be visiting with Snow White or Cinderella, but the attendant did not reveal who and motioned for them to enter the gallery. 

In the gallery, the girls smiled and conversed briefly with Cinderella before having their picture taken. Afterwards, the girls were very happy they had the opportunity to meet Cinderella and talk with her during their visit. Even though it was about a 45 minute wait, the smiles and happy chattering were priceless as we left the Princess Pavilion.

We worked our way again around Disneyland riding on the requested rides. The timing was great as we got to see many of the smaller performances throughout the park while enroute and we ended at Autopia in the late morning. 

The car driving experience would be another long wait time of about 45 minutes. When it was our turn, the girls were our chauffeurs. Emmie was very serious about driving the car, while Adeline was all over the track. It was a fun time for all of us. 

We took a lunch break at Annette's Cafe where we dined on cheeseburgers, french fries, and milkshakes. The meal was overpriced, but we enjoyed a taste of America.

Our day continued at Walt Disney Studios. The Disney Royal couples were in the courtyard, so we walked up to Snow White who was dancing with her prince. She extended her hand to Adeline who was then dancing with just the two of them for a minute as Emmie became shy and did not want to and before other children joined in. Eric and Emmie proceeded to the Tower of Terror as Emmie requested to go on this ride again. This time Emmie happily screamed with the rest of the riders when the doors closed and the elevator dropped.  Afterwards, Eric took the girls on the parachute ride. 

We returned to Disneyland to get our spots on Main Street for the Parade. The girls loved being so close to the colorful floats, dancing performers, and characters as they passed us by. They were filled with glee as they named all of the characters that they saw and super excited when some of them waved to them.

When the parade was over, we dodged the oncoming crowd and had one last ride through the Haunted Mansion and on the Mine Ride.  Our final time at Disneyland was spent watching Mickey's Magical Celebration. The show fascinated the girls and watching Rapunzel and her Prince appear in the middle of the dancing Royal couples was an enchanting moment for them.

We joined the crowd in exiting the park and began our four hour plus evening drive home. This surprise vacation to Disneyland was filled with many magical moments for our family and was the happiest place on Earth for Adeline and Emmie during their three day visit.