At the Hotel Del Coronado and some Sugarwings time at Disney

Before I went to the arty girls weekend on the island, I spent some time with Sugarwings and my handsome husband.  She had school conferences a couple of days that week, so we snuck her out a couple more, and flew her off to Cali with us for a little Disney getaway.

Yes, I'm becoming a Disney freak. Mouse addict? Princess stalker? I don't know what you call it, but I caught a serious case of it.  And while my husband the rest of the adults in the family are over the place, the girls and I are not. My husband does say he has one more trip in him to take Dewdrop, since she couldn't come this time. Then he is free and never has to go back with me.

But he does have moments there that he loves, like dancing Downton Disney with his grand fairy.  

She and I don't get tired of any of it, and we try to soak up as much as we can.  We decided that we would never leave the hotel without walking under the wizard's hat, even if going another way was quicker.  You just have to walk under a wizard's hat if it is available, don't you? 

The highlight of our girl's day at Disney (my husband went to visit friends and the beach, he didn't come to the park) was seeing Ariel.

We rode her ride too.  We actually spent our extra "magic hour" before the park opened, trying to break our record of how many times we could go around and around on that. We hit five times in a row without having to get off, since there were no lines.

Sugarwings had her art journal with her and drew a frame on pages for the princesses to sign.

At the lunch in Ariel's Grotto, all the princesses stop to chat and while I didn't hear all of the conversations, a few were pretty involved, and the ladies were very nice about spending time with her.  Many of them told me what a great kid she was, and had some laughs.

Sugarwings was very animated while telling Tiana that she admired her because she was a princess who took care of herself and worked hard. Their conversation turned to Rapunzel and Merida after that. 

It was all pretty cute.

Sugarwings is about 9-1/2 now.  And looks so grown up.  I'm hoping this isn't our last visit to the grotto for lunch, I'll be sad if she is ever too cool to hang out with her grammie there. I know I don't outgrow it.

Neither of us got tired of hunting for Hidden Mickeys and we even found a few.

We certainly picked the right day to be there, a Monday in late February. We never even needed a fast pass, there were hardly any lines.  

When there was a little wait, we had a system. I'd read a book on my phone, and she would listen to a book on Audible with headphones hooked to my phone.  We were a pretty good team, and it was an ideal day. Great weather, no crowds, no rush, we did what we wanted, when we wanted to.

 

That is pretty much how the whole trip went, we stayed at Disney a couple days, then at the Hotel Del Coronado a few more.  Our poor girl came down with a fever and we missed the San Diego Zoo, and even with that, we had a wonderful trip.

She and I had lazy mornings on the balcony watching the water, wrapped up in hotel robes and reading our books.

The Del gives each kid a backpack with scavenger hunt tools and hints, so we played that game for a while.

We explored the hotel, ate fancy dinners, and watched the Sandcastle Man with his masterpiece. Yes, quite a trip, and all building up to my artful girls getaway.  I really felt lucky and blessed.

I'll leave you with a few more pictures of the week.   And here is a favorite song from my youth, so dreamy and sweet.  And about Disney, too. 

Comments

[Erica H]

I am addicted to Disney, too! We just went to Disneyland in November, and I'm already hoping for another trip next month. I could never grow tired of it.

[HeidiAnn]

Oh, my gosh - I loved this post SO much! I am like you, I NEVER get tired of any of it, Disneyland is my Happiest Place, and "outgrowing" it is not an option. I love it even more now than I did when I was little. And I also have a husband who is just really not into it any more. Luckily I can go with my sisters and my friends. But, how absolutely delightful it must be to enjoy it all with your beautiful granddaughters! I completely loved all of your pictures and reading about your special trip. Quite honestly, I found it enthralling.

[Karla Nathan]

I was surprised at how hooked I have become. We live pretty far away from both parks too. Ive been very lucky to get there as much as I do.

[bobbie]

Sugarwings looks adorable with her new haircut! Looks like you all had the best of times!

[Karla Nathan]

Oh, yes, going to Disney with a grand daughter is the best, Heidi Ann!. Although a trip with a sister is pretty cool too, it is nice to see the park from adult perspectives too.

[Karla Nathan]

Doesnt she look grown up, bobbie?? It is a bit much for me, too grown up!!

[FrenchGardenHouse]

Wow, I can't believe what a grown up young lady Sugarwings is already! SO MUCH Fun you had, I can't wait to take my own three little people to Disneyland!

[Karla Nathan]

Between the haircut and the denim jacket, Sugarwings looks so much more grown up, doesnt she? Have fun when you take your little ones, its a great place to be with kiddos.

[Robin Sanchez]

I love Disneyland and grew up down the street!! Looks like you had fun in my neck of the woods. I recognize that pier...Oceanside where I live.

[Karla Nathan]

That pier was gorgeous, lucky you, Robin!