Ash Thoreau

A Magical Start to Our Week in California

What a week it’s been! After much debate, we decided to go for it and give our daughter one last free trip to Disneyland before she turns three later this month. And let me tell you—it’s been absolutely worth it!

We kicked things off Friday by driving to my mom’s house, which knocked 4.5 hours off the trip. Daisy loved the extra time with Nana, of course. Early Saturday morning (2 AM!), we packed up the car and hit the road. By 3:30 AM, we were on the way, and by 4:15 PM, we had reached our hotel in California.

Daisy was a rockstar during the drive. She told us when she needed to stop, stayed patient, and didn’t fuss at all. Honestly, we were so proud of her!

Our hotel is fantastic. We’re on the first floor with easy access to the park through a secondary entrance, and our suite has a separate bedroom and living area. While Daisy naps, Angel and I can relax, which is what I’m doing as I write this. The kitchenette is a lifesaver—we’re planning to have dinner here two or three nights to save some money.

Day 1: Disneyland Adventures

This morning, we rope-dropped Haunted Mansion—the only chance we’d have to ride it. We decided to skip purchasing Lightning Lane today, but it worked out perfectly because we knocked out so many rides early!

Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise were after Haunted Mansion—all walk-ons! Our Jungle Cruise Skipper, Sky, was hilarious—easily one of the best we’ve had in years. If you get Sky, you’re in for a treat!

Next, we grabbed our mobile-ordered Mickey beignets. Daisy was obsessed, and I tried the seasonal mint julep with pomegranate and cranberry—SO good! (Heads up: it might only be available for one more day, so if you’re here, grab it!)

Then it was off to Fantasyland for a whirlwind of rides: Snow White, Pinocchio, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, King Arthur’s Carousel, Dumbo and It’s a Small World. A magical highlight? Mary Poppins, Bert, and the Pearly Band joined us on the carousel. Live music and Mary Poppins songs replaced the usual carousel tunes—such a special moment! Not to mention that Daisy got to ride our favorite steed, Lucifer’s Rose.

Daisy chose Dumbo next. She wanted to fly high, and when the ride ended, she didn’t want to leave. Thankfully, a bubble wand saved the day (and her smile).

We wrapped up our Fantasyland adventures with It’s a Small World, complete with its holiday overlay. The addition of “Jingle Bells” was such a fun touch and kept the ride feeling fresh.

Lunch and a Backpack Adventure

For lunch, we hit up Alien Pizza Planet. While the pasta was amazing as always, my pizza was cold—like straight-from-the-fridge cold. A bit of a bummer, but we enjoyed our usual seating spot. Afterward, we strolled over to Batuu, where Daisy had a memorable encounter with Kylo Ren. He declared her a future Stormtrooper, though little does he know she’s a Resistance spy!

Then came a hiccup—we realized we’d left our backpack behind in Tomorrowland. Thankfully, the family who took our table had kept it safe, waiting for us to return. Major relief! That backpack has been with me since junior high, and losing it would’ve been heartbreaking. On a side note, I think that is the fastest we’ve ever made it from Frontierland to Tomorrowland.

A Little Pixie Dust on Main Street
After the backpack fiasco, we visited the Emporium on Main Street to fix Daisy’s bubble wand. The screw for the battery compartment had stripped for no reason. Disney magic came through—after trying to repair it themselves, the cast members replaced it completely. So grateful for their help!

Now Daisy’s napping, and we’re recharging for the evening. We haven’t decided what’s next, but with the way this trip is going, I know it’ll be amazing.