Disneyland and California Adventure 2022

January 25, 2022

Disneyland and California Adventure 2022

We surprised Gwen and Emily with a trip to Disneyland on January 2 (Sunday). We initially wanted to take them to school the morning of January 3, but we worried that exposure to school mates might get them feeling sick during the trip so we changed the plan.

I had packed for the girls and that was a hard thing to keep secret. One of the Christmas gifts we got each girl was a new suitcase, and they wanted to play with them but I made up some lie about needing to keep them safe in my room. hahaha! That helped with surprising them.

Jake had me start a video and then proceeded to tell Gwen and Emily, "You guys have been so bad lately, so we're taking you to Disneyland." They were so confused and it was so funny! They were so excited and so were we.

I had booked a small hotel not too far from Disney, but the week before the trip realized it was going to be farther than we thought because it was by the bottom of the park. Oops. I told Jake this, and he booked the Grand Californian as another surprise. When we pulled up to the hotel on Monday my eyes got watery from excitement! I'd always wanted to stay there and figured it would be later...but it was now!

The hotel was beautiful. We checked in while a pianist was playing Disney mashups. Later that evening, we had carolers in the hotel lobby near the huge, real gingerbread house. The hotel was so well thought out. The beds are higher off the ground so your luggage can fit underneath, thus leaving more room! The bathroom had hidden Mickey's everywhere. The monorail went right by our window everyday and it was magical. The massive booms of the nightly fireworks didn't even wake the girls up! We kept them up one night to hear what they'd been missing. The name Grand really does justice here.

The first day we arrived, we met up with Hannah in downtown Disney for dinner! Even though we had recently seen Han in the fall, it never gets old to see her. She is one of our dearest friends, and she is so special to us.

We did some shopping and pregamed with buying ears! Best decision ever.

On our first Disney day, we arrived for the rope drop. We didn't have to wake up early because of the time difference between AZ and CA. We were up and at it, perky as can be! Jake and Gwen sprinted to Star Wars and Emily and I went to the castle. The last time we went to Disney she was only 2 or 3, so she didn't remember anything! It was so special to get one on one time with her. We went on Dumbo, Casey Jr, and several others before meeting back up with Jake and Gwen. Gwen came back from the ride AMPED. She is an adrenaline junkie (I think its a trait from the Banks/Bishop clan hahaha) and went on every ride she could. She said Space Mountain was her favorite that day. Emily loved the castle and shopping most! GIRL AFTER MY OWN HEART.

Day two was California Adventure. We had access to the park before it opened because the hotel has its own entry to that park! MAGICAL. We zoomed to Soarin', and hit up the big three before 9:30. We LOVED Web Slingers. It was so great. Gwen somehow outscored Jake and I combined hahaha! The whole Marvel land was incredible. The food was so fun and well themed, and we even met some characters who we hadn't heard of yet (From Eternals--now we've seen it because it's one Disney+). We ride hopped so quickly that we went back to our hotel at 2 pm for naps. Gwen was sad she didn't go on the Incredicoaster more. I took her once, Jake refused to go, and I was nursing a headache after going once. Next trip we need more adrenaline junkies. My favorite of the day was Grizzly River Run. Ever since refurbishment a few years ago, it has been my favorite! It's so fun and perfect. When we went home for naps, we spent a few hours by the pool and ordered food from the cabana people. It felt like we were movie stars! We went back to the park for dinner at Carthay Circle. Jake and I go to eat here every time and this time we took the girls. The food wasn't great this time, but it was still fun.

We finished up with another day at Disneyland. We hit up all our favorites, down churros hourly, and built a driod! That was so much fun. Anyone who's thinking about a trip, you MUST build your own droid. It was so fun. And go in the morning so they aren't busy. They were dead until 10:45am each day. Star Wars land was so fun to explore. The group favorite ride that day was Splash Mountain. We took a nap each day and planned the naps around rides we'd get splashed on.

We had too much fun to remember it all for the blog. We're all ready for our next trip. Jake always asks me what I'm passionate about and encourages me to start a business but I never know what I'm passionate about other than my family. Last night we were home and just talking when I thought out loud "Oh my gosh, I could do a Disney blog or Disney instagram!" Was this a way to call getting an annual pass a business expense!? MAYBE! But I'm considering it!!! hahahah!!!

PS. Gwen and Emily love having their pictures taken. Don't let some of the expressions they have make you think otherwise. We hear "Mom! Dad! Take of picture of me!" more than any other phrase.