low expectations

As stated previously, Disneyland is not the best place to go on spring break, or anytime in March.  Combine bad timing with 2 toddlers, and you've got a potential disaster on your hands.  Fortunately, our experience was not disastrous. Thanks to careful planning and low expectations on the parents' part, I'd call it {mostly} pretty successful. Mark may or may not agree.

Hank and George were, for the most part, happy to stay in their stroller - eating, sleeping, taking turns with my water bottle.  We got them out to go on a few rides, which proved foolish since the lines were long and they just wanted to run through them - away from us.

The other kids had a great time, trading off going on rides with mom or dad. {Mostly dad. I went on 4 rides the whole day, but surprisingly, I didn't feel like it was a waste of money. I must be getting older because it just wasn't about me.}

I always run into someone I know.  This time, it was our friends, The Churches, whose daughter is in Owen's preschool class.  He was thrilled to see her, especially when her dad took Owen and his kids on the merry-go-round while I stayed with the babies.  Mark and the other 3 kids were on California Screamin'.

Here's Owen trying to see the kids as they zoom by on California Screamin'.

I purposely did not bring my big camera to the park. I had wanted to bring my little point and shoot, but forgot the battery charging in the car.  I quickly realized there is no need for a camera when you have your phone. Seriously, it would have been one more thing to carry and I was already loaded down with snacks and water and diapers. It was such a better experience, not trying to get perfect photos. The few I took were all towards the end of the day, when the kids had slowed down a bit.
The lesson I share with you is a good one:  EVERY other family is trying to take pictures at every turn.  It is completely overrated. It becomes part of the crowding issue. It's crowded, it's hot, you have 6 kids who don't want to stop, they've never cared about meeting Buzz Light Year or Cinderella. Move on and enjoy the rides and the food. Take a few no-pressure shots when time allows. If they don't turn out, so be it.
So much more enjoyable for everyone.