🎢✨ Our Surprise Trip to Disneyland - February 2025 ✨🎢 - Stacey Hansen Photography

🎢✨ Our Surprise Trip to Disneyland – February 2025 ✨🎢

I am SO excited to share this magical surprise trip we took to Disneyland over Valentine’s Day weekend! Andy and I had been planning this for months, but we kept it a secret from the kids until the big reveal. And let me tell you, their reactions were priceless! 🎢✨ Our Surprise Trip to Disneyland – February 2025 ✨🎢

Since we were leaving on Valentine’s Day, we had to give Kip a heads-up that he’d be missing his school party. Kira found out a little earlier because of some school scheduling conflicts, but neither of them knew WHERE we were going. The suspense was killing them!

As we made our way to the airport, we kept dropping hints. And when we finally reached our gate, we sat down, and after some more playful clues, it finally clicked for them — DISNEYLAND! Their excitement was so much fun to watch.

We flew into Long Beach Airport, which was super convenient, though a bit busier than we expected. After grabbing our rental car, we checked into our hotel, dropped off our bags, and headed to Bubba Gump’s for dinner. That first night, we explored Downtown Disney where Kip picked out a Stitch stuffy—the start of his spending spree from the $100 we gave each of the kids to spend however they wanted. (When it was gone, it was gone!) Afterward, we headed back to the hotel for a relaxing hot tub soak and some well-deserved sleep.

🏰 Day 1: Disneyland Magic 🌟

Saturday morning, we all suited up in our matching Disney Squad sweatshirts and fun “Disney ears.” Andy had Goofy ears, I rocked Sparkle Minnie ears (and Spiderman for Day 2), Kip was all about Jack Skellington, and Karson sported Lightning McQueen and Mater ears.

We hit Disneyland and had the BEST time. We got worn out pretty quickly, though—by around 7 pm, the kids were ready to crash!

Highlights:

Seeing Goofy (Kip was thrilled!)
The Churros—I swear Disneyland has the best ones.
Shopping and soaking in all the Disney magic.
Rides like Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Haunted Mansion.
Star Wars Land was EPIC. We saw Chewbacca and got Karson on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (such a fun ride!).
And of course, Karson’s favorite: Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. We went on that multiple times!

We made our way back to the hotel for a chill evening and rested up for another day of fun.

🌐 Day 2: California Adventure Awesomeness 🚀

Sunday was all about California Adventure Park, and it did NOT disappoint! The biggest reason we went there? Spider-Man. Kip even wore his Spider-Man costume all day, and seeing him light up when we saw the character was pure magic.

Highlights:

SO MANY CHARACTERS! We saw Ant-Man, Ms. Marvel, Mrs. Incredible, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Lightning McQueen, and even some Zootopia characters!
Kira did a drawing activity and picked up some new art skills. She loved it!
We watched a colorful parade, enjoyed more churros (because why not?), and rode some incredible attractions.
We all loved the Turtle Talk with Crush. Kip even got to be one of kids Crush Talked to and it was hilarious. Made that experience so much more meaningful! (Karson was sad he didn’t get to though).

We wrapped up the day around 7:30 pm again because we were all so tired! Note to self: Next time, we’ll take a break and head back at night.

✈️ Heading Home 🏡

Monday morning, we woke up, grabbed breakfast, and the boys and I squeezed in a quick swim before packing up. Then it was off to the airport and back home!

It was a short weekend trip, but the memories we made are priceless. I feel so blessed to be able to take the kids on adventures like this. Their excitement, their joy, their laughter—it’s all worth it.

Until next time, Disneyland! 🌟❤️

🎢✨ Our Surprise Trip to Disneyland – February 2025 ✨🎢

Location: Anaheim, California. Disneyland / California Adventures

Custom Sweatshirts: Etsy Shop SchmidtsTees

Photographer: Stacey Hansen Photography

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