Disneyland Solo…I Won’t Make the Same Mistake Twice

Since my son is now three, I’d guess this was around 3 1/2 years ago.  I was a few months pregnant, and attending a work conference at Disneyland’s Grand Californian Hotel.  I say that all casual-like, but I still feel a little giddy with excitement when I mention it.

Now anyone who reads my blog is going to find this very hard to believe, but my plan was to *not* go to Disneyland (or California Adventure Park) while I was there.

What??

Guilt.  Mommy guilt.  I’m good at all kinds, actually, but in this case it was potential mommy guilt that seized me in my tracks.  I had a 5 year old Disney lovin’ daughter missing me back home, and it just didn’t seem right to go without her.

So I arrived at the Grand Californian Hotel around 1:00pm, the day before my conference.  Huh.  Several hours on my hands.  If I threw a rock, I could hit Disneyland.

I proceeded to troll innocently baaaack and foooorth through Downtown Disney.   Baaaaack and foooorth.

Impressive degree of will power, wouldn’t you agree?

UTTER FOOLISHNESS & NEEDLESS DEPRIVATION is more like it!!

Like a naughty kid gradually pushing the boundaries, I got closer and closer to the entrance.  Until finally there I stood, at the ticket booth, standing between the two park entrances.  Disneyland, a mere few steps away on my left.  California Adventure Park, a mere few steps away on my right.

Happiness beckoning me.

Finally, at 6 stinkin’ 30, I call my husband on my cell phone.  “I can’t NOT go.  I can’t!”

“Just GO!”, he implored.  At last, someone with a voice of reason.

So I bought my full day ticket, with a mere 2 1/2 hours remaining before park close, and I marched my pregnant, solo self right into Disneyland.

And instantly I felt it.  That physical tightening (the good kind) in my chest.   The quickened pulse, and shallow excited breathing.  A sensation of happiness which was much, much stronger than guilt!!  What the heck had I been thinking?

I hadn’t been to Disneyland since I was 16 years old.  Despite my limited amount of time, and being nearly 6 months pregnant, I was able to cram  some fantastic memories in to that much-too-short evening.

 

Because thus far my family has always vacationed in Disney World, and it’s something unique to Disneyland – I first strolled over to New Orleans Square.  This petite yet wonderful land is packed with detail, and is a real treasure!  I wished I had more time to experience some of the amazing food options there.

Curious about the difference between the Swiss Family and Tarzan Treehouses, I took a brief tour before heading towards a ride on my favorite classic attraction, Pirates of the Caribbean.

Although not true of everyone, I knew I would be sad if I missed it’s a small world.  I’ve always been a sucker for this ride, and it was particularly delightful seeing the added Disney movie characters they’ve worked into the Disneyland version.  It did make me miss my daughter, though.  🙂

The remainder of the time I spent just soaking it all in, “scoping” rides that were unique to Disneyland, that I thought my kids would enjoy on a future trip someday.

It was bliss.  Pure bliss.

Only slightly tinged by how I had wasted my afternoon, but I tried not to let that indiscretion rob me of my fun and pure enjoyment of my evening visit to Disneyland.

Disneyland Solo ~ Without Kids!

It’s certainly a different experience to go to Disney solo, without your kids.  I wouldn’t say *better*, necessarily, because there are such fantastic moments shared with your children at Disney, that you wouldn’t miss for the world.

But do not underestimate how much fun you can have as an adult, by yourself, at Disneyland.  It’s so relaxing, it’s almost surreal.  And you certainly (at least from a mom’s perspective) get to take in volumes more of your surroundings and magical details when it’s just you.

Do YOU want a snack?

Do YOU have to pee?

Do YOU want to ride that attraction?

The freedom was heady!  Can you even imagine a Disney trip like this?

Almost Busted When I Returned

A brief precautionary tale, because it surprised me greatly and was kind of funny.  My Kindergartener at the time always liked to see photos of where I was, on work trips.   Specifically, my hotel.

So I think to myself, “Hmmm.  The Grand Californian Hotel is totally innocuous looking.  I can show her a picture of that.”  It’s just a brown, Lodgey-type hotel, right?

Bam!  “Why are their MICKEY BALLOONS ON THE FRONT OF YOUR HOTEL, MOM?!???”

Aha!  In the photo, there was a teeeny, tiny “Celebrate” banner displayed under the awning, with pictures of Mickey shaped balloons on it.  Barely noticeable to the naked eye.  Wow.

I don’t remember how I explained that away, but it was a close call.  To this day, she doesn’t know I went to Disneyland without her!

LA Bound ~ I Won’t Make the Same Mistake Twice

Inspiration for this post came when my boss told me last week that I’m to head to Los Angeles for work next month.  Downtown LA, to be precise, so I’ll be paying my dues on this one. (UPDATE: You can read about my colorful adventures in My Week in LA, Without Getting Shot At.)

But at least thanks to this precious Life Lesson learned 4 years ago, I know exactly what I’m going to do, as fast as my little rental car can get me there after touchdown at LAX…

I’m going to Disneyland!

Can. Not. Wait.

*o*   *o*   *o*

Would you, or have you, gone to Disney World or Disneyland without your kids?