tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post9085779130079296323..comments2024-02-05T05:15:04.759-08:00Comments on Wandering Scientist: Good Weekends, Present and FutureCloudhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09317847285050447789noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-8693057711822177792013-03-27T09:45:59.980-07:002013-03-27T09:45:59.980-07:00We did a big weekend at Disneyland when my girls w...We did a big weekend at Disneyland when my girls were 7 and 4, and we stayed at one of the resort hotels. It is more $, but the early entrance to the park (Magic Morning) was a huge help. We picked out a ride or two that would have long lines later in the day and got them crossed off our list first thing in the morning. Also, when it got hot and crowded mid-afternoon, we went back to the hotel and went swimming in the pool for a couple of hours. We then went back to the park in the early evening when it cooled off.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-39111867346089680212013-03-26T21:38:17.679-07:002013-03-26T21:38:17.679-07:00I'm interested in what you find out and what y...I'm interested in what you find out and what you end up doing. Hubby's new job has free Disney visits as a perk (yay) so we'll be going sometime this year, even though it's way earlier than we'd planned when we thought we'd be paying for it ourselves :) Still, we'd like to actually have fun...<br /><br />Re: birthdays, I love parties, but only small ones at home, so we invite OUR friends with kids T's age. Not sure how long we'll be able to get away with that...ARChttp://www.houseofpeanut.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-80268479707798829932013-03-26T11:06:18.003-07:002013-03-26T11:06:18.003-07:00We took our kids a little over a year ago. At the ...We took our kids a little over a year ago. At the time they were 4 (almost 5) and 16 months. My parents met us there to help watch the 16mo so we could focus on the older. A friend told me to be sure to take an autograph book or buy one there (I would have had no idea). We bought one the minute we got to the park, and my daughter had so much fun taking pictures with the characters and having them sign her book. She pulls it out all the time to look at it. She hated Thunder Mountain but loved Goofy's Sky School (if Pumpkin wants to try a roller coaster). She also loved the Peter Pan ride, and we had to do it over and over again. lwhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13662525878907230033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-56190858809828227252013-03-26T06:51:35.883-07:002013-03-26T06:51:35.883-07:00My parents have already planned to take the kids t...My parents have already planned to take the kids to Disney in a couple of years so I'm off the hook (oh wait, do they want us to come too???) We haven't done any birthday parties yet, but mine are still really little. A lot of people do friend parties for 3 year olds but we are holding off until at least 4, if not 5 (I like Hush's idea of parties for 5 and 10 year olds only, may have to come up with a schedule like that). The problem is my kids have fall/winter birthdays, so my fantasy of a cheap & easy park party is completely out. anahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18320182732889825712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-70672599805179219682013-03-26T06:00:20.546-07:002013-03-26T06:00:20.546-07:00I thought there was so such thing as variable weat...I thought there was so such thing as variable weather in SoCal!Erinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-55117107955606049582013-03-25T23:03:09.166-07:002013-03-25T23:03:09.166-07:00Thanks!Thanks!Cloudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317847285050447789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-41463680195559304962013-03-25T23:02:59.876-07:002013-03-25T23:02:59.876-07:00I think that if we had birthdays in less variable-...I think that if we had birthdays in less variable-weather times of year, we'd do the park party. I like those. In early April it makes me nervous, though.Cloudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317847285050447789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-78053624228490669592013-03-25T23:01:03.579-07:002013-03-25T23:01:03.579-07:00Having seen what the other parks around here do in...Having seen what the other parks around here do in their splash zones, that doesn't surprise me. We'll skip the soaking!Cloudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317847285050447789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-90498495516031661792013-03-25T23:00:30.702-07:002013-03-25T23:00:30.702-07:00Yes, Critter Country has the Pooh ride, and Petuni...Yes, Critter Country has the Pooh ride, and Petunia loves Pooh. It also has the canoes, which sounded like a good one for us. Good to know about Main Street- although we opted not to stay at a Disney Hotel. The budget could only stretch so far....Cloudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317847285050447789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-86182513734920357562013-03-25T22:59:27.911-07:002013-03-25T22:59:27.911-07:00I don't really mind the parties in general, it...I don't really mind the parties in general, it was just this year's one that had me stressing out. I think by next year, the concept of actual friends may have settled in- right now, she says all of her classmates are her friends. Which is sweet, but also patently not true. There are some she talks about more than others.Cloudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317847285050447789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-58608560843923706222013-03-25T22:58:11.734-07:002013-03-25T22:58:11.734-07:00Since Pumpkin can't really handle plots in her...Since Pumpkin can't really handle plots in her movies yet, we haven't tried to introduce her to Star Wars. And Mr. Snarky and I checked that stuff out pre-kids. I think we'll skip it this time. We might do Mr. Toad's "wild" ride, though!Cloudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317847285050447789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-43718417640349332122013-03-25T22:56:56.712-07:002013-03-25T22:56:56.712-07:00Thanks, I'll check the blog out!Thanks, I'll check the blog out!Cloudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317847285050447789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-15296075310894411632013-03-25T22:02:14.984-07:002013-03-25T22:02:14.984-07:00My husband is the optimizer of Disneyland with kid...My husband is the optimizer of Disneyland with kids. Contact him for details. I'll email you his contact info.badmomgoodmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11569728075698885020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-20224901020727769662013-03-25T12:48:36.352-07:002013-03-25T12:48:36.352-07:00We have all our kids' birthday parties at a pu...We have all our kids' birthday parties at a public park, a quiet one (we are lucky enough to live in a town with an abundance of beautiful parks with playground structures). I found the perfect one - little playground and big playground on either side of a shaded picnic table area. I provide: fruit; drinks; bagels & coffee; cake. Kids run around. I don't have to worry about how many to invite or not invite. Everything is relaxed. No opening presents at the party. We have the email addresses of all the preschool families in the directory, so one can email just certain parents/kids.<br /><br />I don't think I could handle Disney, so I'm a bit relieved to live so far away from both Disneys that it'll never be an issue.Erinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-60129620479791744602013-03-25T11:17:54.526-07:002013-03-25T11:17:54.526-07:00Another thing: it's a small world was much bet...Another thing: it's a small world was much better at 9am than 8pm (but we were there during June Grad Night madness).Monicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06434574115262180990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-25811341620344824832013-03-25T11:16:36.641-07:002013-03-25T11:16:36.641-07:00Here's my hard-won knowledge: if you do World ...Here's my hard-won knowledge: if you do World of Color, take the "splash zone" signs very seriously. You will get SOAKING wet and it won't be fun. It's a neat show otherwise, but probably not essential. Monicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06434574115262180990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-74601524995441845982013-03-25T11:06:38.418-07:002013-03-25T11:06:38.418-07:00Amen to putting Other Loving Relatives in charge o...Amen to putting Other Loving Relatives in charge of amusement park visits! Disney isn't my thing, but my DH and my dad are totally into the idea and will do that with the kids at some point while I enjoy a nice staycation!<br /><br />I don't love hosting kids' birthday parties either. (But I'm all about hosting other types of parties, such as the Easter Egg Hunt we host every year). We plan to celebrate our kids' birthdays with invited friends only at ages 5 and 10. Two big parties for each kid is all we can handle. DS had a great 5th birthday party last fall, and we did it up, and had a ton of people over. It was great. But yeah, I've only got 3 more of those in me, tops.hushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05532820460835325762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-16124111871036725742013-03-25T10:35:16.715-07:002013-03-25T10:35:16.715-07:00We had passes when Audrey was Petunia's age. W...We had passes when Audrey was Petunia's age. We actually promised her a trip for the 6th birthday instead of a party but are just getting to it during Spring Break due to rain sickness etc.<br /><br />Thought #1 It will be very busy. Don't try to rush the kids. Let them enjoy the place and don't force the actual rides as much. <br /><br />#2 Adventureland with the Jungle Cruise and Pirates (and kebab place) is a great place for kids. What is Critter Country? Where the Winnie the Pooh ride is?<br /><br />#3 The bug's land rids are very simple. Petunia will love them. There also shouldn't be terribly long lines, so it may go quicker than you're anticipating.<br /><br />#4 Main street is overrated. If you're staying at a Disney Hotel, they won't even notice it.Caleehttp://caleemlee.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-15116563918567085222013-03-25T09:22:26.157-07:002013-03-25T09:22:26.157-07:00No advice, since I haven't been there since I ...No advice, since I haven't been there since I was about 10 and don't remember much, but I think it's an awesome idea - especially getting out of the birthday party fiasco :)Alyssahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01695509619557410413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-36111889547668856192013-03-25T06:10:13.840-07:002013-03-25T06:10:13.840-07:00Well, last time DC1 went to Disneyland at age 3.5,...Well, last time DC1 went to Disneyland at age 3.5, he went with my MIL and my SIL. I strongly recommend that option! (When I was 5 or 6 on a school trip I found the Small World ride to be the most terrifying, far more scary than getting lost in the gift shop and having to make my way to the land of lost children.)<br /><br />We didn't do a birthday party this year either, and instead DC1 got a whirlwind adventure to SeaWorld, LegoLand, and the San Diego Zoo! (Also with my MIL.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-88878753245155588142013-03-25T05:50:59.885-07:002013-03-25T05:50:59.885-07:00I'm sure the girls will have a wonderful time!...I'm sure the girls will have a wonderful time! A few tips, based on trips to Disneyland as an adult and memories of when I was a kid: Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is not that wild. In fact, it's quite good for the risk-averse. There's one moment in the Snow White ride that can be scary. And even before the purchase, there was a ton of Star Wars stuff at Disneyland.Tragic Sandwichhttp://www.tragicsandwich.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29235839.post-74605465948250074392013-03-25T02:21:55.338-07:002013-03-25T02:21:55.338-07:00What a great idea to avoid the party challenges :)...What a great idea to avoid the party challenges :)<br /><br />I have twins, in different classes, so I'm firmly in denial about what this birthday will end up being.... bearing in mind we have had very full parties for the first 3 years without any school friends.... :)<br /><br />This blog has tons of posts about Disney planning - www.thegreatumbrellaheist.blogspot.comMarcia (123 blog)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15581613927187600748noreply@blogger.com