The Martin and Kimble Family Christmas Adventure

This adventure began about 6 months ago when Kimble really wanted to go experience Christmas at Disneyland. We had several great reasons so we got in the text que (because you can no longer talk to anyone), waited about 30 minutes and got connected with a Disney rep and away we went.  90 minutes later we had booked our trip; arrive 12 December and depart the 16th.  

Not boring you with all the technical details of visiting Disneyland, we departed at 0930 on 11 December with the intention of taking 2 days to travel.  Why?  You might ask but I will let you figure that out as you read along.  

Stop one was in Lee Vining, California at the fine eating establishment of Nicely's.  We had an interesting lunch, stretched our legs, made all the physical adjustments and then headed down the road to Bishop and visit Schats Bakery for some well earned treats.  Again stretching and adjusting and then heading another hour to Lone Pine; our stopping point for the night.

Adalynn Marie - 8 Months - Enjoying her gourmet lunch

Mt. Whitney, due west of Lone Pine - Highest peak in the 48's - 14,505'
I have been on top 3 times and love the views from 395

12 December we woke to a beautiful day and continued our trek to Anaheim.  We pulled in to the Grand Californian Resort about 1500 and without much hassle (there was some as Disney has lost some of its attention to detail) we unloaded our 25 pieces of luggage, bags of food, stroller, Pram and accessories into the room and took a deep breath.  Making a plan for the evening, we hit Downtown Disney and the pool; Adalynn's first swim in a real resort pool.  

Disneyland-Day1

Started bright and early, as the junior member of the family has early hours.  So at 0600, Adalynn was handed off to her official Valet for this adventure , me, GPaw, and away we went.  I put on her carrier and we took off to explore while everyone else tried to grab one more hour of sleep before hitting the park at 0800.  The resort lobby and surrounding area is quite nice this time of morning.  Returning to the room so Adalynn could eat, she and I would hang back, get her her morning nap from 0830 to 1000.  She woke, got a fresh diaper and I put her in her Day 1 outfit

Auntie Biff - Elizabeth, made all the shirts with a bit of help from the crew!

We then took off to meet everyone in the park (in this instance, I do enjoy the cell phone).  We found the family enjoying a great time...

After about 3 hours in the park, the Lil Fox and I headed back to the room but on the way, she was quite fascinated by this...

A very cool fountain in Downtown Disney that she watched for 15 minutes

Then at the room for the afternoon nap 1300-1500hrs (which we both partook) and then back into the park for the afternoon until about 1830hrs.

Adalynn did her first rides on the Carousel and Peter Pan (45 minute wait) while I wandered and watched the hordes of people move about.  

Back at the room Tayler got Adalynn to sleep and then I took over as Day 1 ended for her and I.  Tayler headed back to the park with the rest of the family until closing at 2400hrs.

 

California Adventure - Day 2; and later hopped back into Disneyland

Day 2 began just like Day 1; a handoff to GPaw at 0630 and Della and I took off for a cruise around the hotel.  We hit every floor and walked to the end of every hall - it was raining like crazy and too cold to venture outside.  We had a blast...

Adalynn did her first official "crawling" at Disneyland...

...so I let her crawl around - sanitizing her hands of course immediately!

Back to the room around 0645 as we had breakfast at the Storytellers Cafe...

We had a nice family breakfast and Adalynn got to see Mickey, Minnie, Chip n Dale and Pluto.  Then back to the room for her morning nap while everyone else went and got rain ponchos and hit the park...it was torrential rains so we did some juggling the baby until about 1500hrs.

Tayler and Kyle returned to the room, soaked to the bone, about noon and took the Lil Fox back and I headed out to meet the family with rain gear and a big umbrella!  

Found my soft serve - just like at the beach when I was a kid living in SoCal

Had too!  

The kids got me on a ride, Midway Mania, it was truly fun and I had the lowest score!!!

By 1500hrs, we could bring the little one out as the rains subsided and Tayler, Kyle and Adalynn met us in the California Adventure Park until dinner, bath and bed.  

Disneyland Day 3 - and our little Grogu and her Pram to Star Wars Land

So the consensus is that 3 days at Disneyland and California Adventure (weekdays when schools are in) is a perfect vacation.  The only thing that would alter that is Disneyland's inability to keep its rides running and power on.  It did not effect me but there were  rides that my family missed due to ride closures and a couple times they had to walk off rides because of ???  In any case today is our final day and it began a bit differently.  I wanted to have my Mickey Waffle at the Carnation Cafe and the kids wanted me to join them for two rides - Rise of Skywalker and the Millennium Falcon so after Adalyn and I did our traditional morning adventure, I handed off Della to MeeMaw, Tayler and Kyle and Alexander, Jasella, Elizabeth and myself headed out.  Plan? Direct to Rise...boo...closed so they went on to see what was what and I diverted into the Cafe for my waffle.  Yummy!

Funny what you remember as a kid and this is one...Waffles, strawberries and whipped cream!

Nice presentation but no strawberries or whipped cream...boo!

After 30 minutes of dining, I headed to Star Wars Land and the kids got me on my second ride, a 40 minute line into The Smugglers Run.  A very cool flight simulator where I got to be a pilot; I ran into a lot of shit!   

My Co-Pilot behind me, Elizabeth, we broke many things...

After exiting the ride, I headed for the baby handoff and back to the room for the morning nap and that was perfect as it took about an hour for me to stop being queasy.  However, the next aspect of the day was the most exciting for me as I was charged with bringing in our little one dressed as Grogu in her Pram...

Like my Light Saber?

It was an absolute blast and the accolades we got were enjoyable.  Yes, we made the "Pram" custom for her car seat and I can not tell you how many times we were asked for photos - which we declined due to Adalynn's age but mostly because I would never ask that of anyone else.  The interaction with the Star Wars characters was incredible.  I highly suggest you watch this one minute video that Elizabeth took (definitely expand to full screen and turn up volume - hilarious!).

 

We spent about 2 hours in Star Wars Land and got to watch Alexander, Elizabeth, Jasella and Kyle make light sabers - really make them with a hilt of solid iron parts.  There were 4 themes of light saber hilts and they picked 3 of the 4 but all were highly unique.  It was an incredible experience as we all got to go watch.  I highly recommend it if you are a fan.  

After this adventure, we got Adalynn to sleep in her Pram until our dinner at the Blue Bayou.  Kimble really wanted to do this family dinner and spent 3 nights getting up a 3am, 60 days in advance, just to get the reservation.  Disney sucks in this regard as shame on them for a family of 8 staying at their resort and not getting any Concierge assistance to get a reservation.  Kim was resolve in her efforts and they paid off.  We had a great meal and fun time at the Blue Bayou!

Fascinated with the glowing ice cube in Daddy's mouth!  

A candid from Auntie Biff (Elizabeth) - She captures this Sprite in the best ways!

The rest of the day was just "magical".  We kept our little one out a bit later than usual but it was worth it; and I assure you, she did not mind.  She loves to be involved in the family action.    

"GPaw I want some delicious BBQ Turkey Leg!"

"Really...GPaw is obviously not going to share...boo!"

We woke on departure day and Adalynn and I took one last excursion to take some photographs of the sights we had seen.  It was a bit cold so we bundled up and went for it.  In miles of our walks, not once did she stir, fuss or cry.  She loves adventure and seeing new things and I adore the opportunity to be her "Sherpa".  

We packed it up, hauled all our luggage to the parking lot (again, Disney lacked in its ability to deliver quality service) and hit the road at 1030hrs.  Took 90 minutes just to get out of the SoCal metro area and for the most part was smooth sailing until about 8 miles south of Mammoth and through 10 miles north of Bridgeport; a big winter storm hit two days earlier and the roads above 7000' were a bit complex but we took it slow and were successful in arriving home around 2100hrs approximately 2 hours after stopping in Bridgeport for fuel; the Prius takes premium!

  

It was an epic family trip.  One we can only build upon in future family adventures and I assure all that we will as Kimble and I now have 6 incredible children, 3 individual and unique families of their own, an incredible granddaughter and we are sure there will be more grandchildren in the future.

Kimble and I hope you enjoyed this tale of love, adventure and laughter.  Merry Christmas 2021 and Happy New Year!