enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

Disneyland!

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We met Paul's family in Disneyland last weekend and it was awesome.

This was Ellerie's first trip and we really didn't know what to expect. Would she love it? Would she be confused? Would she be tall enough to ride Space Mountain?!? (Yes, yes and this is a joke.)

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It rained almost the whole time we were there. Which, of course, wasn't the end of the world (no sunburns! Less crowds!) but was not ideal because we didn't pack for the rain (I wore suede moccasins – possibly the lamest wet weather choice). We ended up just going into the park on Saturday and saving two days of our military 3-day passes for another time this spring.

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Our time in the park was so fun. We took Ellerie on Peter Pan, Small World, the Carousel, Ariel's ride and Pirates. Every single ride she sat nearly motionless and gripped whatever handlebar was in front of her. She was a little scared by the dips on Pirates and clutched me tightly until we got to the more lively singing parts.

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She loved the ducks that live in the park, was weary of the characters if they got too close and adored the churros. She seemed to enjoy the noise, fireworks, music, balloons and people-watching.

We went back to our hotel (we stayed at the Grand Californian) around noon and napped until 3 before coming back out in warmer clothing for a few more hours. This was a good plan and I'm not sure spirits would have been as high without that nap. After Ellerie went down for the night, and because we had Grandma and Grandpa with us, we were able to go back into the parks to ride a few grown-up rides. I hadn't been to Disneyland in a few years and had forgotten how much I love the roller coaster and Space Mountain never disappoints.

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Everyone is right : seeing Disney through your kids eyes is about as magic as it gets. It's going to be so fun to watch her (and her excitement level) develop as the years go on.

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31 responses to “Disneyland!”

  1. Lori Avatar
    Lori

    This brought tears to my eyes! I love Disney so much and seeing someone/anyone else enjoy it like that gives me goosebumps. I’m so glad you “shook off” anyone that might suggest “she won’t remember it”. YOU WILL!! And it will be glorious!
    (And in a few years when you’re ready to head to Walt Disney World- just call me. I’ll walk you through it all! 😉 )

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  2. Allison Rust Avatar
    Allison Rust

    One, awesome. I want to go back to Disney now. Two, I wore my favorite red Adidas tennis shoes to Six Flags once. They were suede and I ruined them on a water ride. A very dark day in my history.

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  3. Carrie Avatar
    Carrie

    So, so sweet. It’s so hard to imagine that tiny baby we all first saw is now an active Disneyland-going, churro-eating toddler! I love watching her grow up and am lucky to be able to do the same for my daughter and my blog.

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  4. Ruth Avatar
    Ruth

    My husband reckons that Small World is a living vision of hell!!

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  5. Ryan Avatar
    Ryan

    Eye pleasure every time 🙂

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  6. Kristina Lauren Avatar
    Kristina Lauren

    Even if Ellerie doesn’t remember the trip, the pictures will be pure MAGIC to her someday. May I suggest a disney scrapbook that compares her reactions each year? I’m imagining 4-year old Ellerie freaking out over the princesses! 😉
    Ps. Elise – I have been spending a LOT of time on your blog lately. Re-reading old posts. Revisiting why you opted to simplify. Thinking on your clear goal-setting. Diving into your business story all over again. I find that if I spend twenty minutes scrolling through your archives or thinking about a more recent post, it sets the tone for my day, one where I feel inspired. I decided to simplify my own blog this week and use my first & middle name (simple, something that will never change and doesn’t reflect my current “state”). And I feel glad. I wouldn’t have been able to make this move without your unknowing guidance 🙂 xo

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  7. Rebecca Epp Avatar
    Rebecca Epp

    I was just in Disneyworld over the Christmas break and it was magic for me, a 20 year old. But even just seeing your pictures of little Ellerie wandering around with her churro makes me want to bring my future kids there, which I didn’t think I would want to do.

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  8. Jessica Cornman Avatar
    Jessica Cornman

    I love that first picture of Ellerie in front of the Disney landscape! So precious.

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  9. yours truly, melissa Avatar
    yours truly, melissa

    OH I’m sooooo looking forward to bringing our girls to Disney!!! It really is so magical.

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  10. PB Avatar
    PB

    We did a week at Disney World when my son was 4 1/2. It truly is just magical. I loved watching him take it all in. Meeting Jake from Jake and the Pirates was like meeting his favorite rock star. We are going back again now that he’s almost 7. I have to do it one more time while it’s still real to him.

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  11. Christine K Avatar
    Christine K

    Great time for everyone. I absolutely adore Space Mountain. I sometimes watch YouTube videos to relive the ride. We stayed in the Grand California once and it’s the best hotel in the park.

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  12. Tracy Avatar
    Tracy

    I loved seeing your photos pop up on IG on Saturday! I went to Disneyland in Sept and I’m dying to go back! So glad to hear Ellerie had a good time!

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  13. elise Avatar
    elise

    This comment is hilarious. RIP shoes.

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  14. elise Avatar
    elise

    Right!? I hate small world, but the kids! They love it, apparently.

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  15. elise Avatar
    elise

    Oh, thank you! And great album idea!

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  16. Denise M Avatar
    Denise M

    When I was 2 1/2 my parents drove to CA from OH. I actually remember a few things from the trip: There was a boat ride at Disneyland and I almost dropped my stuffed animal because I was leaning through the railing (I guess scary thoughts stick with you!) I also have some memory of Cinderella’s castle. I don’t remember the Grand Canyon, but my parents took pictures of me there! They didn’t take pictures at Disney!
    Thanks for sharing all of your fun times with us!

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  17. Brianna Avatar
    Brianna

    This is so fun. I haven’t been to Disneyland in at least ten years, probably longer. I need a kiddo to take with me.

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  18. Chrissy Avatar
    Chrissy

    Aw, how fun and what cute pics of Ellery! I used to love that carousel and the pirates when I was a kid! Good times!

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  19. Vanessa Avatar
    Vanessa

    Naps are a must when you go to Disney. Husband and I went this past May as our “we finally can afford a honeymoon even though we’ve been hitched for 5 years” trip. At 1pm I set an alarm on my phone. We would do a “sanity check” at that time and see if we wanted to go back to our room or have a snack/lunch/just need to sit in the Tiki Room for a bit. I highly recommend it for any sort of vacation.
    If anyone’s military or retired military, I really recommend Shades of Green resort in Florida. It’s owned by the US Army but run by Disney. The rooms are dirt cheap $60/month and on Disney property. You can also buy steeply discounted tickets for Disney, Universal and SeaWorld. Plus there’s a PX where you can buy souvenirs, booze and food again steeply discounted.
    We loved Shades, it’s right across from the Grand Polynesian so it’s super close. Plus you can take the monorail from Magic Kingdom/Epcot to the Polynesian and have one of the workers there drive you across the street. Shades also has its own bus system, too! Oh and they have 2 pools, a yoga studio (free classes) and a spa. The restaurants at Shades aren’t very good, that’s the only con.
    And if you’re traveling with extended family, the military/retired military person can sponsor up to 6 other people. We may do a group trip with friends so everyone can “get in” on the savings.

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  20. Vanessa Avatar
    Vanessa

    7 is a great age! He’s old enough to not need a stroller or naps (though ‘mental health breaks’ are still a good idea for everyone) but he’s young enough to get swept up in the magic of it. The first time I went I was 12 and my niece was 8. I was a little “too cool” for it but she was really into the whole thing. It’s one of my favorite memories about us together.

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  21. Debbie Avatar
    Debbie

    If nothing else, that opening photo of Ellerie’s pure joy would make love Disney land! Just that photo makes the trip worth it ;)!

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  22. Indi Stilling Avatar
    Indi Stilling

    I love Disney Land so much!
    xoxo
    http://www.randomindistilling.blogspot.com

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  23. Stacy Avatar
    Stacy

    If you are a fan of the ducks at Disney, you may want to follow “ducksofdisneyland” on Instagram. And, the moderator of that account accepts submissions. One of my faves.

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  24. Jennifer Avatar
    Jennifer

    I feel the the same way as little e – love the ducks (there’s also Disneyland cats!), am weary of the characters, and adore the churros!

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  25. Chrisy@GoodNorthCoastLife Avatar
    Chrisy@GoodNorthCoastLife

    How lucky you are to have Disneyland so relatively close. 🙂
    Here in Australia a trip to Disneyland or DisneyWorld is usually a once in a lifetime experience (if that). I was fortunate enough to go to DisneyWorld when l was 16, so definitely understand what the hype is all about. My dream is to take my daughter and husband to DisneyWorld – who by the way don’t understand why l would want to spend thousands and travel halfway across the world to go a theme park!!
    But it’s THE theme park, the grand pobah. xx

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  26. Ashley Brimeyer Avatar
    Ashley Brimeyer

    Love these, Elise.
    Also loveee the way these edits look. Are these from your big camera? Where did you edit these at?
    Ellerie’s eyes look amazing. She is going to be a stunning young lady!

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  27. Kelly Avatar
    Kelly

    We did Disney with my 3 and 1 year old prior to moving to Australia from San Diego. My now 4 year old totally remembers it and I say if you live THATCLOSE, there is no reason not to go as much as possible! Within reason of course 😉 obviously us San Diegans can take for granted how lucky we are to be less than 2 hours from the Most Magical Place on Earth! It’s nice that if it’s raining or if your kid is having an “off” day, you know it isn’t a huge trip to just come back another day. Did you get Ellerie mouse ears?? 🐭

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  28. Danielle Wilson Avatar
    Danielle Wilson

    Disney is magic. Rain or shine, 2 years old or 85 years old. I can’t wait for my little Everett to be a bit bigger (he’s 7bmonths) so that I have an excuse to visit again!
    Also, I randomly saw that Paul was on keeping track of sunglasse duty as well! Haha!

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  29. lisa Avatar
    lisa

    we took our boy (he’s 9 yo) on a surprise day trip to Disney this past summer. it was his first trip and our first trip as mamas. i’ve always loved Disney … but it is SO MUCH MORE FUN as a mama! to see their excitement and wonder and fascination … to experience the rides with them – the anticipation and pure enjoyment! thankfully we went into the day with no expectation of doing “everything”, we all found a few minutes to grab a quick cat nap throughout the day (one mama slept on the round-the-park train ride, one mama grabbed a few minutes while the boy explored Innoventions, and the boy grabbed a nap while sitting on the sidewalk waiting for the evening parade to start), we prepped ourselves for the lines and we encouraged silliness for all. it was a great trip and we can’t wait for our next Disney visit!

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  30. Gina Avatar
    Gina

    This looks like so much fun! I love Disneyland and can’t wait to take my future kiddos there someday.

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  31. abby - little city adventures Avatar
    abby – little city adventures

    I’m on the East Coast so DisneyWorld is our jam. And it’s been YEARS, probably 2002 was the last time I was there, and i was in elementary school then! Now that I’m married and have a little boy I cannot wait to take my husband and son (it would be both of their first times there), it’s just such a fun place!!

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