Surprise Birthday Treat

For Dallin's birthday this year, we surprised the kids with a one day trip to Disneyland! We've never been there during the holidays, and this was a perfect excuse to go. The kids were super excited, once they actually believed that we were really going there.






We got there the afternoon before we were to go into the parks. So we spent the evening in Downtown Disney. Did a little shopping and ate dinner at Rainforest Cafe.





The next morning we got up bright and early and headed to Disneyland. Let me say that the parks are gorgeous all decorated for Christmas. We really loved the magical feel of it all.










I caught a picture of the Evil Queen peering out the window
We started the morning in Fantasyland. Small World was very neat with the Christmas overlay. I actually think I like it better that way. The song is less annoying with the Christmas music interspersed with it. lol





For lunch we ate at one of our favorites, Carnation Cafe. Where I got my usual Loaded Baked Potato soup and Turkey Sandwich on Pretzel Bread. Dallin got his favorite Peanut Butter Painters Palette, Sierra got (no surprise) Mac & Cheese, and Dan got the yummy soup too with a Chicken Crescent Sandwich.


After lunch we did a couple Tomorrowland rides, then up to Critter Country for the Winnie the Pooh ride, followed by Adventureland for the Jungle Cruise, and then headed to California Adventure to ride Toy Story Mania and a few other rides. We got to meet Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, and Jesse in DCA. The kids were happy about that.










We went back to Disneyland for the Christmas parade. This was a nice parade. Lots of holiday spirit. And we got to see Santa Claus.









After the parade we went to dinner up in Frontierland, at Big Thunder Ranch BBQ. It has become my new favorite restaurant. It is a brand new, and it was so much fun! Everything was served family style and came out in rustic pots. We got BBQ ribs, chicken, and sausage, cole slaw, corn bread, baked beans, and corn on the cob. It was delicious! And to top it off, they have entertainment while you eat, set in the outdoors under the stars.




During the entertainment the singer Miss Crystal (the "owner" of the ranch), had the kids come up and sing a couple Christmas songs with her. Dallin wasn't feeling up to it, but Sierra went up there. She got to sing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and "Jingle Bells".

Also one of the other musicians was going around to the tables playing his guitar and singing to everyone. When he came to ours, we told him it was Dallin's bday, and he whistled the Happy Birthday Song to him. It was funny.






I highly recommend this restaurant!

After the dinner we went back to Tomorrowland to ride Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters, and Star Tours. Then we went to get ready to for the holiday fireworks show. This was so amazing! And it ended with snow falling on Main Street. What an unforgettable way to end the night.

We had a wonderful time on our trip. I would never do just one day again though. We like to do too many things when we are at the resort, that just can't get done in one day.

Below are a few more pictures of the holiday decorations around the park.