Being A Disneyland Mom - 4 Things Our Kids Learn

     We've been called over the top parents - excessive moms with too much time on our hands. 

     We've been accused of spoiling our kids; of providing them with an unrealistic perspective.

     Yes, we've been judged.  But that's okay, because it's all worth it!

- We take our kids to Disneyland weekly, sometimes a few times a week.

- We encourage them to explore the park like it's a new world waiting to be chartered.

- We support dress up days and we light up when our kids want to be a prince or princess for the day.

- And yes, sometimes we even spend hours designing and making original handmade Disney costumes.

     My husband and I have had annual passes to Disneyland long before our kids were born.  We had our first date there.  We were engaged at Snow White's Wishing Well.  I walked off labor pains with all three of my children there.  Our kids were fated to grow up there.  We've had magical times in the parks throughout the years.  But recently we have seen a growth in dressing up to the nines at Disney.  I didn't pay much attention to the kids that participated in dressing up until we were invited to join in.  Our good friends from Designer Daddy, brought extra costumes for our girls to join in on dressing up.  It was an incredible experience.

     When my daughter slipped on that first gorgeous Victorian style dress and glided down Main St like a princess, holding hands with her best friend.. the magic of Disneyland jumped to a whole new level.

     Many of us look forward to Halloween all year so we can dress up in our favorite costumes and to take on fun roles.  We brainstorm and plan, allowing our creative juices to flow and explore the possibilities.  Well, Disneyland makes it possible for us to experience that excitement with every visit to the happiest place on earth.

I LOVE being an "excessive" Disney mom with Disney kids!  Here is why:     

     In all honesty, dressing my kids up for our trips to Disneyland has provided us with unforeseen benefits. I've noticed some very valuable skills my children are developing.

Confidence

     I have seen a significant growth in confidence in my babies.  Not necessarily because they are wearing frills and sparkles, but because I encourage them to dress up how they like and to hold their heads up while they strut their favorite outfits.  Too many times, I remember being told not to look too confident or people would think I was conceded.  In hindsight all I can think is.. not cool! All that resulted from that were insecurities and reservations.  Fear of confidence is not humility.  Quite the opposite.  Insecurities are fuel for resentment and disdain.  I want my girls to love themselves without any fears of what people think.  It has helped them to realize that every girl is a princess and every boy is a hero.

Social Skills

     From the very first day my kids dressed up at Disneyland, they started receiving lots of compliments and kind comments; even requests to take pictures with families.  The first few visits, my girls would sometimes clam up, hide behind my legs, or mumble "thank you" after I had coaxed them to do so.

A few months later, "thank you" is a natural response.  They have learned to say "hello" to people with a smile.  They are also usually glad to pose with people for a quick photo.  I am so glad to see that these experiences have given my kids loads of practice communicating with people and making friends everywhere we go.  We've even been able to make good friends with a circle of other Disney families who regularly attend the parks.  It's been a wonderful network.

Optimism

     For those who argue that dressing up and going to Disneyland all the time isn't preparing kids for real-life, I have to respond with, "Rubbish!"  I am tired of the ongoing cynicism that runs rampant in the world.  Because "real-life" is obviously a relative term.  Not long ago, I was limited by the concept of conventional "real-life."  It limited my goals and my thinking, until I started surrounding myself with amazing people!  The amazing people who question the norm and strive to make miracles happen.  Those are the people who encourage the extraordinary.  They are the innovators, artists, and optimists.  They are the Walt Disneys of the world!

In pursuing these extraordinary days at Disneyland, my girls are learning that dreams can come true every day.  And we as a family are learning that the fun can last forever.

Creativity

     It didn't take long for my 5 year old to start throwing out ideas on what our next set of costumes should be.  She even started contributing design ideas.  She started enjoying playing the characters and exploring her theatrical abilities.  Before we started dressing up, she refused to dress up like a villain.  She has now dressed up like a villain twice and loved it.  Through these opportunities to play at Disneyland, my kids have been able to broaden their imaginations.

All these qualities thrive in the Disney atmosphere and they have even inspired me to pursue one of MY life-long dreams!  To produce videos!  The first time I gathered footage from a Disney trip and all the kids were dressed up, the beauty and magic awoke an urge in me to create and to explore video editing technology, like I did when I was a kid.  I've had the time of my life visualizing different scenes and providing the right costumes and settings for the kids to play with. We've ended up with fun videos as memories, and a way for me to express my art.  I've recently branded my art Disney CopyKids.  There is no way for me to monetize my results on YouTube due to copyright laws, but it is something that I love to do and I plan to continue to do so.  The smiles I see and the comments I receive on my videos are plenty of compensation. ;) However, please visit my Patreon link for more info on how to support my dream in other ways:

     www.patreon.com/DisneyCopyKids

Here is one of my favorite projects!...

I must give a resounding thank you to supporters of our activities! We have nothing but immense gratitude to Disney and to friends and family that have been encouraging us along the way.  I love being a Disney mom! Nothing but good things.

READ MORE >>

Stroller Etiquette (10 Tips for Operating a Stroller at Disneyland)

     I've said it time and time again... "People should be required to have a license to drive a stroller." ;)
   

     I am a Disneyland passholder, so I am often caught up in crowds of people with small children in strollers.  And I am one of those people.  I take all three of my kids (all under the age of 6) to Disneyland by myself.  I rock the double stroller and baby carrier.  I always get comments like, "Wow, you are brave!" and "All three by yourself?!"  Yup.  I love Disneyland and we have an amazing time together.  Even my husband can be spotted at Disneyland with all three of our kids.  Hahaha!

     And trust me, it is a lot better than having them cooped up in the house and letting them make a mess, where I need to constantly clean up after them.  Disneyland is a beautiful and fun place to let them run and play and get their energy out.  They sleep like angels at the end of the day too!

     HOWEVER, the stroller madness at Disneyland or any other crowded place can be frustrating.  I often see people that do not know how to properly drive a stroller and are unaware of stroller etiquette.  If everyone had an understanding of how to safely drive a stroller, we could prevent accidents, injuries, frustration, and unpleasant memories.  So I decided to go over the stroller basics as a friendly reminder to my fellow parents.  This is my logic: It is just like driving a car...

1) Do Not Fill Over Maximum Capacity

     California Vehicle Code 24002 states "It is unlawful to operate any vehicle or combination of vehicles which is in an unsafe condition, or which is not safely loaded, and which presents an immediate safety hazard."  Similarly, a stroller should only be packed to a safe capacity.  Some strollers I've observed have giant heavy bags attached to the handle bars which swing back and forth amongst the crowds.  I myself have been plowed down by some of those strollers and wonder, "What just happened? And why is my arm throbbing with immense pain?"  Eeek!  Please be aware that there will be people and children walking near your stroller.  Try not to pack it like the family mule. ;)

2) Stay To The Right

     Yes, just like while driving, stay to the right.  The opposite flow of traffic should be kept on your left side.  Whenever I see someone heading in the opposite direction coming toward me, I begin to veer my stroller to the right.  It is a natural reaction.  If they cut in front of me to pass on my right, I am thrown for a loop, literally.  This usually causes anxiety, accidents, and chaos.  There are times when I assume the person is from a country where they drive on the opposite side of the road.  That would explain it! Haha.

     Sometimes Disneyland Cast Members will be out directing traffic during a parade or some other attraction and they are almost always directing the crowds to stay to their right.  But honestly, we are intelligent capable adults that can always follow that logic without being micromanaged 100% of the time.  Right? :)

3) Stay A Safe Distance From The Person In Front Of You (Eyes On The Road)

     Anyone ever been rammed right in the heels or ankles with a stroller?  Yeah, me too.  It hurts! And it only took me getting hit once to make me realize I would never want to do that to someone else.  Don't get me wrong; I have done it, and I felt so bad.  It is an innocent accident; no one actually sets out to run over other people...I hope.  And it is so easy to get distracted, especially at Disneyland.  We are constantly looking around us.  But while driving a stroller, it is important to maintain eyesight on your path.  I do my best to remain a safe distance from anyone in front of me.  Just like a car, it is wise to remain another stroller length from the person in front of you.

4) Follow The Flow Of Traffic

     My husband is an offender of this one.  He likes to play Speed Racer and weave in and out of the crowds.  I have tried to remind him that it isn't a good idea and probably unsafe.  When he sees an empty road in front of him, he smiles and takes off with the kids in the stroller as fast as he can go.  The kids love it and I can't object since there is no one anywhere near us.  But when stuck in a crowd, it is courteous to follow the flow.  Assess the speed of the people and strollers around you and adjust to remain at an average and safe speed.  Not too fast and not too slow.

5) Pull Over For A Rest Stop

     This is my biggest pet peeve!  When I am happily moving along down a path in a crowd of people and all of the sudden, without any warning...the group in front of me comes to a STOP in their tracks! They just stand there: adjusting kids, looking at a map, making decisions about where to go or eat, etc etc.  I'm there thinking, "Um, hello?  I just skidded to a halt about an inch behind your ankles and now I'm trapped behind you until you decide to continue along your way."  All the while the rest of the crowds are walking past us.  This happens at least once every time I go to Disneyland.  Why?? It just doesn't make sense to me.  Crowded place, people constantly moving, and you just stop in the middle of the road?  Do people do that while driving? No, I don't think so.  Just pull over to the side.  Do your thing and then pull back out into the crowds when you are ready to proceed on your way.  It's easy, I promise.

6) Yield To Pedestrians

     Very rarely am I the "pedestrian" (or person without a stroller) at Disneyland, but I need to speak on their behalf.  People driving strollers may not want to admit this, but the "pedestrians" are far less cumbersome then strollers.  They are compact, faster, and more agile.  When I see a "pedestrian" trying to get around me, I slow down and let them go where they need to go.  They can get in places where I can't go and they will be out of my way quicker than a stroller.  I see no reason to be aggressive and try to keep my place in a crowd when I know that the "pedestrian" will be hundreds of feet in front of me in seconds.  Let them continue on their way and avoid confrontations.

7) Utilize Designated Parking Spaces

     I can't speak for other theme parks, but I know that Disneyland has designated stroller parking for almost all of their attractions.  When you are ready to park your stroller, take a quick look around or ask a Cast Member about stroller parking.  They do a great job of accommodating the thousands of strollers sitting around Disneyland, without being a nuisance to the crowds walking through the park. If you park your stroller in an area that is not designated for parking, you may find your stroller to be gone.  No no, not stolen! Cast Members are trained to move strollers to the designated parking areas in order to maintain flow of traffic and keep the strollers from being hazards.  So it is wise to park your stroller yourself where it is supposed to be.

8) Strollers Going Straight Have The Right of Way

     Helpful reminder for when you are about to collide with another stroller.  If you are making a lane change or a change in direction, look around and make sure the crossing is clear.  Strollers who are proceeding in a straight path should have the right of way.  I'm not insinuating that there could be a lawsuit if you don't yield (crazier things have happened I guess, haha)... it is just a nice way to maintain order and peace amongst the crowds.

     And in addition...don't play Chicken! When you are about to experience a head on collision with another stroller, don't be like my husband and assess the size and weight of your stroller and figure the single stroller will yield to the big bad double stroller (LOL)...don't say to your kids, "Hey, think we can take them?"...don't try to be the aggressor and test out who will swerve first.  Sounds like fun, but really...not a good idea. ;)  

9) Apologize When You Incur A Fender Bender

     Accidents happen.  They happen every day and all day at Disneyland.  But when they do, people are generally very nice when they are acknowledged and receive an apology.  An awkward situation or confrontation can easily be avoided/ diffused with a friendly smile and apology.  I have said "I'm sorry" so many times, even when I felt the situation was not my fault.  I don't consider myself to have a doormat personality, but basically I am apologizing for the circumstances or for the miscommunication.  It is much easier to go about your day when someone has apologized, even if it needs to be you.

10) In General, Be Aware And Considerate Of Others Around You

     I want to leave a few of my thoughts on respect, consideration, and empathy.  Disneyland is always pretty crowded and it is easy to step on each others toes there...figuratively and literally.  When you are out there in the world of heavy strollers and giant diaper bags and screaming kids and cranky parents, remember that we are all in this together.  We are all human beings.  We are all children of God and brothers and sisters on this Earth.  

We need to be mindful of others and their individual circumstances.

- That rude employee that gave you attitude may be going through a divorce and child custody issues.

- That disrespectful teenager that cursed in front of your children may have been abused as a child.

- That grumpy lady that yelled at you for bumping into her may have recently lost her sister to cancer.    

     Anger and judgement is not the way to go.  Take a deep breath and carry on.        

     Disneyland is the "Happiest Place On Earth," but each of us are responsible for maintaining the happiness there.  We need to embark on our family adventures with a positive attitude and with respect for our fellow human beings.  We need to keep in mind that we are all hoping to create enjoyable experiences and happy memories.  Let's do this together!  I know we can. :)

"We believed in our idea - a family park where parents and children could have fun- together." 

     - Walt Disney

READ MORE >>

Happy Birthday Mr. Mozart!

     This past week we did a unit on music in honor of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. His birthday is TODAY! January 27th, 1756. This theme was inspired by Robyn's entry in the Creative Curriculum Challenge. Thank you Robyn!
I am a fan of classical music and an advocate of all arts. Even though my preschooler probably won't comprehend the historical significance of Mozart, I knew we would have fun talking about him and doing projects associated with music.

STRAW PAN PIPE CRAFT.
This link to instructions for this super easy craft was fun to do with Marley.  She was happy to help and have an instrument to hold and play. The sound was not what I'd hoped but the project was simple, fast, and enough to capture Marley's attention.

TRASHIN' THE CAMP was SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS!
I took the girls to DISNEYLAND this past week for Homeschool Day and while we were there, I decided to use the Disneyland resources to enhance our music unit.  We went through Tarzan's Treehouse and both my girls had fun playing the musical instruments at the end of the attraction.  I pointed out the instruments and had Marley help me name them. We also stopped to listen to The Pearly Band in Fantasyland.  We love hearing their covers of all our favorite disney tunes.  I like to ask Marley to name that tune.  She listens carefully and usually guesses them pretty quickly. Listening to music and identification is a fun way to get kids exercising that part of the brain that aids audio recognition.

MUSIC APPRECIATION.
I asked Marley what instrument she would like to play if she could play any instrument. She said the violin. I pulled up this video of Hilary Hahn (a very talented violinist), and showed it to Marley. It was a beautiful piece! Marley watched the whole video attentively and when it was over, she said "She did really good!" I adore watching her love for the arts grow.  So special.

WRITING PRACTICE.
I like to write a word out on our chalkboard easel each week and Marley will trace the word as best she can to help her fine motor skills and letter memory. We also review each letter and sound a few times per week.


WRITE YOUR OWN MUSIC.  This is a cute one that young children enjoy.  I took a few feet of butcher paper and drew 5 equally spaced out (about 4 inches apart) lines across, to create the look of blank sheet music.  I then printed several copies of music notes and cut them out.  Then I squeezed white glue all over the butcher paper and let Marley "write her own music." After she was finished, I tried to play her song out on the piano. It sounds silly, but it is fun and made my daughter giggle to hear her unique song played out.

READ MORE >>