Fantastic firsts: Munchie's trip to the happiest place on earth

We finally took Christiana to Disneyland! I've been wanting to hold out on this trip for at least another year (or so), but daddy Teems said she's ready.  Another reason why he wanted Munch to go was because he wanted her big sister to be there for her first trip there.  Fiiiiine.  So I came up with a schedule for our day. 
Here was my plan:

• Get to Disneyland when they open
• Spend time in the toddler friendly places
• Have lunch together
• Munch & I go to the hotel for nap time, while daddy Teems and Amanah hang out.  When Munchie is tired she starts getting delirious and I wanted daddy Teems and big Sissy to have a good time.
• Come back to the park so we can catch the evening parades
• Have dinner with Gammy for her birthday
• Head home

Sounds like a great plan right?

 

The trip didn't go as planned.  The Teems girls cousin came with us so that way Mani can have someone her age to hang with.  Once we got there we let the teens go on their own and we took Christiana to the basic "toddler friendly" rides (It's a Small World, Mad Hatter Tea Cups, and Pirates of the Caribbean). Of course she loved the Tea Cups & Small World, but the Pirate ride was a little shaky. She had her head in daddy Teems chest for most of the ride because (obviously) she didn't like the skeletons and the loud noise. I haven't been to Disneyland since high school (1995) so I totally forgot about all the "scary" characters on that ride. Booo to us!  We ended up leaving the park around Munchies nap time but never made it back to the park.  We did have our birthday dinner with Gammy and we saw the fireworks from Downtown Disney.  Ultimately the trip wasn't too bad. ;OP

If you are wondering why I wanted to wait well it's because I don't think children her age would get the most out of Disneyland. Disneyland is super expensive and for toddlers they are good for about 2-3 hours (if that) before they start getting moody. Disneyland is a huge park and depending on when you go will determine how much ground you will cover (I.e long lines, weather, tired baby, bathroom breaks, etc).

What I would have like to have done was to spend more time in Toon town and have her take pictures with the Princesses & Minnie Mouse and to have her see the Main Street parade and fireworks.  I decided instead of doing a party/get-together for my birthday to spend my birthday at Disneyland.  This way we will have to pay for only 1 adult since I'll get in free and Munch is 2 AND she'll get to see Disneyland converted into a winter wonderland.  BOOM this way everyone can have a good time.  We will also have to get a room so we can leave during her nap time and come back later so she can see the evening shows.    Another great plan right!