A secret we kept slipping up on. But thankfully, the kids had no idea what Disneyland really was. Next time we go, if we want to keep it a secret it will be really hard. Everyone--from grandparents to the TSA lady who checked our tickets at DIA--asks, Are you going to Disneyland? when they hear you're California bound.

Everyone. Except our kids.


So when we showed up to the Super 8 on Disneyland Drive with a Disneyland themed lobby, we thought our kids would start to put two and two together, but no. They'd heard of it, but didn't really know what to expect.



The Super 8 was literally one street down from {one of} the Disneyland parking lots. Since it was a Disney area hotel, it was pretty nice for a Super 8. Hotels around there have a lot of competition. Despite being September, the Super 8 Disneyland was booked full. We met families from places like Australia who'd come to visit Disneyland. It's a small world after all. Everyone there seemed happy. It's a small world after all. It's a small world after all. It's a small world after all. It's a small, small world.



In the morning, free donuts, in the evening, Disneyland fireworks can be viewed from the pool. {I can't believe residents of Anaheim put up with fireworks every night at 9:30 p.m.} We watched fireworks from a pool for three nights in a row.



So now you know where to stay next time you head to Disneyland, yeah? For the three nights we stayed there, the kids hit up the pool every day. I enjoyed it myself after D-Day itself as my feet were killing me, but that's another post, forthcoming.



We were scheduled to meet the California based Sander/Eklund side of Justin's family that evening, and the next day was D-Day, so we took it easy and decided to stroll Downtown Disney. I'm glad we did!



Though the monorail runs to Downtown Disney {DD}, it's really just an elaborate outdoor shopping mall with lots of Disney {obvs}. You can park for free in the lot for 3 hours.



You've ever been to Vegas or something to shop? It's a lot like that. Not your typical mall, but all the best stores putting their best foot forward. Plus, Disney themed restaurants and shops, like the Anna & Elsa store.



Yes, we hit up the Lego store. Because Legos and air conditioning.



I think my kids were assuming that this was what everyone meant by Disneyland. I let them believe what they wished...



The Lego wall. I could have spent a lot of time here planning Lego projects.



I caved and allowed my kids to pick their own small bucket of Legos out for themselves.



This has resulted in hours of entertainment since our trip. Best 3 x $8.99 I've ever spent. Also a good way to stock up on windows, doors, and wheels.



If this trip had been all about me, I would have spent the day here:



But it wasn't. So we spent the day here. And then a bit of pouting when I refused to pay $69.95 for a scratchy, cheap Elsa dress!

No way, little lady. I promised her to I'd sew her a nice Elsa dress for her Halloween costume this year, but I would not buy that. Plus, I had a little set aside for Disneyland souvenirs for each kid, and I didn't want to spend it before we even got there.

The best part of going to Disneyland in September was that they'd already prepared for Halloweentime. {I can't wait to share the Haunted Mansion ride with you, they completely redo the ride for Halloween each year!}


I refused to buy them these too.



We really only came to DD because I hoped Starbucks there would have the You Are Here Disneyland mugs, but unfortunately not. You have to go to the Starbucks inside Disneyland. Oh well. {Biggest. Starbucks. Ever. though.}



I'd neglected to properly sunscreen myself and got a decent burn that day. I'm used to sunscreening my Swedish skin here in Colorado. We're a MILE closer to the sun and have 300+ days of sunshine a year. Why did I forget that in also shines bright in sunny L.A.? Oh well.


Now that I've flashed you my sunburn, I think we can wrap this up. Anyhow, that was Downtown Disney. We had lunch there and then went back to the hotel to get ready to meet Justin's brother and his family.

Just so you don't have to scroll back up, here's that adorable photo of my kids and parents again, in the middle of HOT Downtown Disney!



Cheers,
Heather

See more of our California 2015 trip:
Part 1 - Santa Monica Pier
Part 2 - The Getty Center
Part 3 - Erickson Family
Part 4 - Crystal Cove State Park Beach
To Be Continued...