A friend once asked me if having annual passes ruins the magic of Disneyland for my kids. She told me that because her family only visited Disneyland once each year when she was a child, a trip to Disneyland was mystical and exciting. I, of course, have always told her that my kids do find it magical and special but if I were to be honest, I suppose it does change it a little bit.

This 1963 newspaper ad sums up how we decide upon our trip to the Disneyland Resort.

We started our day with by getting Connor is first “big” Disneyland rainbow lollipop at Trolley Treats at Disney California Adventure Park. These suckers are a right of passage and he was beyond thrilled to get such a special treat.

After leaving Trolley Treats, we decided to make our way over to Soarin’ Over California to get FASTPASSES. We were discussing getting the FASTPASSES and needing to use the rider switch with our little guy while walking passed Taste Pilots Grill, when a Cast Member walked up to us and asked where we were headed. When we told him we were heading for Soarin’, he said, “Why don’t you guys come with me and I’ll get you on the ride?”

Our mouths dropped open in shock and my husband looked at me with a look that said, “Is this for real?!” I shrugged my shoulders and knodded and we followed a Soarin’ Over California Cast Member named Jared to the attraction. As we walked, we chatted a bit and we told him how we would likely have to use the rider switch pass. Jared said he thought that our little guy just might be tall enough and sure enough, he was! Connor is now 40 inches tall–which opens up a fun new world for our little guy when it comes to attractions at the Disneyland Resort.

Jared escorted us to the very front of the line and then told us some very, very cool fun facts about the attraction. My two favorites were: 

• There are THREE hidden Mickeys during Soarin’. Two during the Palm Springs/golf course scene and one at the end. (Do you know where they are? Share your guess on our Facebook page or in a comment below.)
• There is a pirate ship to the left of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

Once it was time to board, Jared escorted us to the very best seats on the attraction–front row, center. Connor was opposed to my help with his seat belt and absolutely refused to allow me to hold my hand. He loved soaring high above California and had a blast! 

Afterward, Jared met us as we left the theater and asked the boys what they thought and if they saw the special parts of the attraction he told us about before we boarded and then had one extra special trick up his sleeve–a special pass that would allow us to not have to wait in line for another attraction at the Resort that day. We couldn’t believe it! Jared absolutely made our day and was full of the Disney spirit!

After our Soarin’ Over California Experience, our days of incredible firsts just kept on going!

The kids got to take a picture with Red after going on Luigi’s Flying Tires, which by the way had a wait less than 10 minutes!

I was able to capture this photo of all the boys with Donald, with their eyes open and looking in my general direction.

Connor had his first clam chowder bread bowl (and loved it).

And what did we use that special attraction readmission pass on? Another first, of course! We decided to take Connor on Splash Mountain and take advantage of his magical new 40-inch height! I think this photo of my family heading down that 52 1/2-foot drop at a 47 degree angle really says it all.

For anyone who thinks that visiting the Disneyland Resort as often as we do takes the magic out of it, think again! We feel fortunate to be able to provide our children with Disney fun, magic and memories all year round.

And thank you, Jared, for making our Disney day extra special!