If you were to ask the kids what their favorite part of our Disneyland trip was, they would probably say the fireworks. The last evening in Disney was the very best. The best perk that came with our Costco vacation package was 3 tickets (Ava was still free—wink wink) to “Character Dining” at either Ariel’s Grotto in California Adventure or Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel. I didn’t think to make reservations until I read something in our letter on Friday night. I’m glad I did, or else we might not have been able to get in! We were able to get a 7:50 dinner reservation at Goofy’s Kitchen for Saturday night. We figured this would be a great way to end our experience by having dinner with the characters just before the fireworks show. Luckily, we had went back to the hotel to take naps before dinner, and were rested enough to enjoy our night!
We had a short walk from our hotel to the Disneyland Hotel where Goofy’s Kitchen is located. Just before we got seated, they took this great picture of us with Goofy himself. What a great picture, huh? I love this one!
Shortly after we were seated, we were visited by our first table guest. Alice in Wonderland stopped by to inquire, in her cute little accent, “why don’t you have any food?” She proceeded to ask the kids where we came from, and then she and Ava chatted about turning 3. I’m not sure the kids knew who she was, but I’m pretty sure it really was Alice! She looked and sounded just like her.
Ava had just got done telling Alice that her favorite princess was Cinderella, and wouldn’t you know it….Cinderella showed up at our table!
And oh my, the desserts! The kids ate pretty good, but then we decided they could help themselves to whatever desserts they wanted. They kept going back and forth for cupcakes, jello, ice cream, and chocolate pudding.
They knew we were celebrating a very special little girl’s 3rd birthday and brought out a special birthday cupcake just for her. The wait staff sang and clapped to a birthday song, and then she got to blow out her candle!
After a quick photo with Minnie and Pluto, it was time to rush over to Disneyland for the fireworks extravaganza!
Do you see Tinkerbelle flying over the castle? That’s why it would have been nice to be closer, but we could still see her.
Even though Ava didn’t seem very excited at the time, she told several people after the trip that the fireworks were her favorite part. This sweet girl had a very special birthday!
Main Street was lit up so nicely, and along with the changing colors of the castle, was all so magical!
I asked them for one last smiling picture before the end of our trip. This was what we got! We were outside of the Lost and Found waiting for Dave to check if they found his hat at the bottom of Space Mountain. They did! By the way….this stroller was very helpful. We sold it to Heather & Craig, but borrowed it back for our trip. I’m so glad we did! I can imagine it will be much more difficult once both kids are too big for a stroller--which they probably will be next time.
And here we are on our last walk back to the hotel from Disneyland. I asked both kids to join me for one last picture together, but Tyler was the only one who would cooperate. It was so pretty along this trail. I just loved everything about it.
Well folks, there you have it. I am so glad that we could take our kids on this fun experience. Neither Dave or I went as kids, so it doesn’t have that same magic that others who grew up going to Disneyland may feel. It is a whole different experience, however, being able to see a place like this through the eyes of your own children. I was experiencing the magic for the first time right along with them, and it had so much more meaning than if I would have went on my own as an adult. Actually, I haven’t shared the story, but Dave and I have actually walked in the gates of Disneyland together, but we turned right back around and walked out! We had a park hopper pass the day before we boarded the cruise ship for our honeymoon. We spent the day at California Adventure, but after walking into Disney at the end of a long day, we turned right back around and headed to the hotel. There is no way the experience would have been anything like it was going with the kids, so I’m glad we skipped it. It was much, much more special experiencing it as a family. I look forward to many more trips, and to see my kids grow up making these special memories!
Who’s going with us next time?
For the complete album of my photos from day 2, please click this link.
We had a short walk from our hotel to the Disneyland Hotel where Goofy’s Kitchen is located. Just before we got seated, they took this great picture of us with Goofy himself. What a great picture, huh? I love this one!
Shortly after we were seated, we were visited by our first table guest. Alice in Wonderland stopped by to inquire, in her cute little accent, “why don’t you have any food?” She proceeded to ask the kids where we came from, and then she and Ava chatted about turning 3. I’m not sure the kids knew who she was, but I’m pretty sure it really was Alice! She looked and sounded just like her.
Ava had just got done telling Alice that her favorite princess was Cinderella, and wouldn’t you know it….Cinderella showed up at our table!
Have I mentioned that Goofy’s Kitchen was a huge buffet? It had everything a kid—or a grown-up—could want to eat! Prime rib, seafood pasta, delicious ribs, salad bar, fish, chicken….peanut butter and jelly pizza, macaroni and cheese pizza, chicken fingers….you name it!
They knew we were celebrating a very special little girl’s 3rd birthday and brought out a special birthday cupcake just for her. The wait staff sang and clapped to a birthday song, and then she got to blow out her candle!
After a quick photo with Minnie and Pluto, it was time to rush over to Disneyland for the fireworks extravaganza!
Character dining was a blast! The kids loved it, and the food was delicious. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Disney with children! They got to see a bunch of characters that they’d missed, and it was so special to have them stop by our table and visit.
When I asked Samantha (my resident Disneyland expert) when we should get back to the park in time to get good seats to watch the fireworks, she said to be there at least 45 minutes before they start. Well, we didn’t have much choice in our dinner reservation time, so we walked into the gates of Disneyland at about 9:20 pm. The fireworks start at 9:30. Needless to say, we were not anywhere close to the castle, and were about half way down Main Street.
No worries though! The fireworks were still AMAZING! What a show. I can’t believe they do that every night. It was choreographed to the different Disney songs and experiences. I have included a video of one of my favorites for you to see for yourself. Of course, the photos in no way do it justice. You’ll have to take my word for it!
Do you see Tinkerbelle flying over the castle? That’s why it would have been nice to be closer, but we could still see her.
Even though Ava didn’t seem very excited at the time, she told several people after the trip that the fireworks were her favorite part. This sweet girl had a very special birthday!
Main Street was lit up so nicely, and along with the changing colors of the castle, was all so magical!
I asked them for one last smiling picture before the end of our trip. This was what we got! We were outside of the Lost and Found waiting for Dave to check if they found his hat at the bottom of Space Mountain. They did! By the way….this stroller was very helpful. We sold it to Heather & Craig, but borrowed it back for our trip. I’m so glad we did! I can imagine it will be much more difficult once both kids are too big for a stroller--which they probably will be next time.
And here we are on our last walk back to the hotel from Disneyland. I asked both kids to join me for one last picture together, but Tyler was the only one who would cooperate. It was so pretty along this trail. I just loved everything about it.
Well folks, there you have it. I am so glad that we could take our kids on this fun experience. Neither Dave or I went as kids, so it doesn’t have that same magic that others who grew up going to Disneyland may feel. It is a whole different experience, however, being able to see a place like this through the eyes of your own children. I was experiencing the magic for the first time right along with them, and it had so much more meaning than if I would have went on my own as an adult. Actually, I haven’t shared the story, but Dave and I have actually walked in the gates of Disneyland together, but we turned right back around and walked out! We had a park hopper pass the day before we boarded the cruise ship for our honeymoon. We spent the day at California Adventure, but after walking into Disney at the end of a long day, we turned right back around and headed to the hotel. There is no way the experience would have been anything like it was going with the kids, so I’m glad we skipped it. It was much, much more special experiencing it as a family. I look forward to many more trips, and to see my kids grow up making these special memories!
Who’s going with us next time?
For the complete album of my photos from day 2, please click this link.
