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Old 05-05-2005, 02:01 AM   #46
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Re: Kylor & Jalen\'s SURPRISE Disneyland vacation

I love those photos Tina - how you managed to keep it a surprise for so long is amazing, but worth it when you saw the looks on their faces!
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Old 05-05-2005, 11:06 AM   #47
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Re: Kylor & Jalen\'s SURPRISE Disneyland vacation

Tina! What beautiful pictures of the boy's faces (and yours too). I would have been crying also!
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Old 05-05-2005, 12:40 PM   #48
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Re: Kylor & Jalen\'s SURPRISE Disneyland vacation

What a great way to surprise the boys! I love the looks on their faces. It's like you got the picture the exact second that they "got it." I'm looking forward to more!
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Old 05-05-2005, 02:20 PM   #49
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Re: Kylor & Jalen\'s SURPRISE Disneyland vacation

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I think it's hilarious that they think you guys just hopped a plane to spend the night in Kansas City (and had to have a layover first). Is something you guys do normally?

Can't wait to hear about the big reveal!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Well at first they did wonder if we were going to meet some Passporters I didn't think Jalen would catch on, but I thought for sure Kylor would...but he didn't. But, no, it's not something we would normally do

[/ QUOTE ]

<font color="purple"> I thought that was pretty funny too!
Let's hop a plane for the night!

I those pics of the boys after you told them!
And the one of you is terrific!
Can't wait for more! </font>
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Old 05-05-2005, 04:40 PM   #50
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Re: Kylor &amp; Jalen\'s SURPRISE Disneyland vacation

How cute that Kylor was worried about school!! Thataboy!!!

I wish they'd have a Stitch breakfast at WDW!!
Can't wait for more!! Those boys are adorable!
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Old 05-05-2005, 07:01 PM   #51
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Re: Kylor &amp; Jalen\'s SURPRISE Disneyland vacation

Tina,

I'm loving reading about your wonderful surprise! You have such adorable, sweet boys; and you're quite the cutie-pie too! Can't wait to hear about your time at Disneyland.

Karen
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Old 05-05-2005, 09:09 PM   #52
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Re: Kylor &amp; Jalen\'s SURPRISE Disneyland vacation

Tues. April 26th cont'd

We quickly check in at the Jolly Roger. The guy working the desk was SOOO friendly. It was really nice b/c I had read some things about how the front desk staff at this hotel was super rude!! They had a room ready and I asked if it was on the top floor. After staying on several 1st floor rooms with noisy people above me, I try to request a top floor room whenever possible. It was, so we head up. I unpack a little bit, we all change, I pack up my handy dandy Passporter LL Bean bag and we start the jaunt to DLR. I had bought an Anaheim bus pass for $9, and only ended up using it twice (b/c I felt I HAD to) They don't run from like noon-2 for 'lunch'.

We had a nice walk as the weather was so beautiful. I asked the kids after we got through bag search which park they wanted to go to. They picked California Adventure. We got through the turnstiles very quickly and are serenaded with 'California Girls' Love it. We walked over by the sun fountain and I asked Jalen which ride he wanted to go on first - California Screamin' or Tower of Terror. He was terrified on Tower of Terror at WDW last year, but he says he is a big boy and brave now. But he still picks California Screamin' first. It is about 2:30 and the standby line is 50 minutes. We grab some fast passes with a return time of 4:35. We quickly measured Jalen and he just skimmed the bottom of the 48" marker. He had to suck in his breath and stand REALLY straight.

Right next to CS is King Triton's Carousel, so we hopped in line for that. We were on quickly and Jalen ran to a sea otter. Some girls were walking around complaining how all the little kids just ran and grabbed all the animals so now they had nothing to ride There were plenty of open animals. Anyway...I love this ride. It's so cute.


After that, we meandered along the boardwalk deciding where to go next. The boys have no desire to go on the Sun Wheel ("boring") and Kylor doesn't want to go on the Maliboomer (where they shoot you up really fast) without me (Jalen isn't tall enough) Next ride we see is the Orange Stinger (swings) The height requirement is 48" here, too, so again Jalen sucks in the breath and is granted access to the line I asked if I had to go with him and the CM said 'yes' Ick. I hate those small seats. Then she asked if Kylor was his brother, I said 'yes' and she said 'OH, he can just go with him' COOL! I went out by the exit and watched them. I tried to get a good picture, but all I got was Jalen's dangling legs


We are feeling pretty hungry by now so we try to find someplace for a quick lunch. Pizza sounded so good, so we head to Pizza Oom Mow Mow. I got a piece of pepperoni, Kylor got a piece of cheese, and Jalen got the peanut butter and jelly combo (came with Mickey shaped corn chips and a small soda) Kylor and I also shared a root beer. When Jalen got his lunch, he was so excited, b/c it was one of those Smuckers Uncrustrables, which he adores. The pizza was ick - it was almost black and tasted icky. But I was so hungry I ate it, anyway.

After our lunch we headed over the the little water areas. The boat was closed today but the other areas were open. The boys spent some time firing a water cannon at a dinghy and trying to get it to move. It was a nice cool down area.

We started walking to the far end of Paradise Pier and I saw the California Dreams movie was just about to start. I've always wanted to see this, but thought it might be boring for the kids. Today I said too bad. We got in line and the doors opened shortly thereafter. We sat in our plush seats and the show began. The CM was brand new and kept flubbing up his opening lines. At the end he said 'Sorry, I'm new' Everyone laughed and I think that was a great way for him to handle it. There are 2 statues on either side of the screen. The lights died down and 1 statues face came to life. It was Whoopi Goldberg. The eyes moved and it was all holographic. Very cool. The curtains opened and the movie began. I really really enjoyed this attraction. Whoopi Goldberg also narrates the movie. It tellls you about the history of California. I thought it was nicely done.

It was only 3:30 - another hour until our FP is available so we headed over to a Bug's Land. Jalen wanted to ride in the bumper cars, so we got in the looong line. Kylor waited by the exit as last time we did this ride he got stuck and was sitting there crying b/c he was so frustrated. So he waited for us. While we are in line the guy in front of us complained about DL for about 5 minutes. He just kept going on and on and his wife/gfriend was just ignoring him "I'm really beginning to regret coming here. It might actually be fun if there weren't lines for everything. There's too many people here." and my favorite "You can have this much fun in the airport - waiting in the line for security" Whatever, buddy. I felt so bad for his kids. I'm sure they were having lots of fun listening to him complain all day

Anyway, after our short, slow ride on the bumper cars we still had about 20 minutes until our FP time. There's a little water area by the bumper cars where you can run under the water. Well guess who comes over? The kids of the complainer. And boy, oh boy, did they get a reaming for going under that water and getting wet! Loser. My boys quickly ran under a few times and decided that was enough for them, anyway. We headed over by the Caterpillar equipment and Jalen sat in the cab of one. We then looked longingly at all the beautiful, plump red strawberries they were growing there. Man, would I have loved to pick a bunch of those. We also noticed all the beautiful lemon trees. Love it.


About time for our FP so we walk slowly over to Paradise Pier again, taking many pit stops along the way by the lake so the boys can count ducks. This became a recurring theme on this trip and they kept a running tally of how many ducks they'd seen Right after this photo, Jalen got his shirt stuck on the fence rail and ripped the entire back of his shirt


We got in the FP line for California Screamin' and were the last people let through before she closed the FP line and let the general line go through So we were onboard in less than 5 minutes. I don't think Jalen was nervous, just super duper excited. I really never thought he would be brave enough to do this ride after his wimpiness last year We headed down to the 'waiting' area where they do the countdown 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.... 0-55 in less than 5 seconds. Upon our first initial drop I hear Jalen say "I can't control my stomach" but he's also laughing when he says it, so I figure he's not going to throw up, just is feeling the tickle belly feelings. He said this about 2-3 more times on the ride. I warned him when we were about to go upside down and he kept saying "I couldn't even tell when we went upside down" It was so hilarious. When we got off the ride he was literally jumping up and down with excitement and kept giving me high 5's. This is Kylor's favorite ride and he was excited Jalen liked it, too

Coming up: The 50th flags get changed, our evening dinner and bedtime
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Old 05-06-2005, 01:13 AM   #53
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Re: Kylor &amp; Jalen\'s SURPRISE Disneyland vacation

That story about Jalen on CA Screamin' was too funny!!! He's one brave little man, though . . . won't see me on that thing!!! No way, no how!!! I am a certified coaster weenie!!!

Great update and pictures!!! (Especially the one of Jalen's dangling legs )
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Old 05-06-2005, 03:34 AM   #54
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Re: Kylor &amp; Jalen\'s SURPRISE Disneyland vacation

Sounds like you're having an excellent time so far Love the photos you took of the boys when you revealed your surprise Looking forward to more!
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Old 05-06-2005, 08:50 AM   #55
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Re: Kylor &amp; Jalen\'s SURPRISE Disneyland vacation

What a great story about the CA Screamin' good for Jalen. I bet the complainer's kids didn't have as good a time.
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Old 05-06-2005, 09:19 AM   #56
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Re: Kylor &amp; Jalen\'s SURPRISE Disneyland vacation

What great pics! Can't wait to read more...
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Old 05-06-2005, 09:42 AM   #57
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I'm glad to hear Jalen enjoyed California Screamin' - what a great reaction he had to it!
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Old 05-06-2005, 12:52 PM   #58
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What a great update Tina Glad you made it to Disney, and are having a great afternoon! More please
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Old 05-06-2005, 06:28 PM   #59
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Re: Kylor &amp; Jalen\'s SURPRISE Disneyland vacation

I COMPLETELY understand what Jalen meant about controlling his stomach on California Screamin - I am right there with him..... I had tummy issues too... but it is a GREAT ride.
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Old 05-06-2005, 06:39 PM   #60
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Re: Kylor &amp; Jalen\'s SURPRISE Disneyland vacation

What a great report!! I can't believe you kept it a secret! And the pictures are priceless. Can't wait to read more!
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