My wife and I had been planning a trip up to Utah to see her brothers and do the whole family trick-or-treating thing.  I had my time off of work, the car all packed and the Thursday we were supposed to leave we got a call from one of her brothers.  They have swine flu.  f---.  Literally, the car was packed and my little girl was in the carseat.  I guess we got lucky that we weren't 2 hours out of Vegas.

Great, so now what?  We all headed back inside while I tried to console my wife and brainstorm what to do next.  Would the hotel refund us because it was less than 24 hours notice?  Luckily they did.  ....and it was so flippin' easy!  I was on the phone with them for less than a minute!  So one problem avoided, now what?  About a half-hour later of brainstorming we finally settled on the idea of taking everyone to Disneyland.  It'd been the plan to take out daughter when she turned 4 but circumstances what they were, it seemed like the time to go. 

We scored a hotel 3 miles away from D-land for about $90 a night and so we took off.  I don't mind the trip from Vegas to California.  It's about a 4-hour drive (3 if you're doing 80 - 85 on the I-15) so I can knock that out in an afternoon.  We managed to get lost on California's notorious highway system and eventually arrived at our hotel around 5:30.  Exhausted, we grabbed some El Pollo Loco for dinner and prepared ourselves for the next day.

Taylor was so excited when we arrived!  It almost took me back to when I was a kid and my parents took me and my sisters for the first time.  There really is something magical about seeing all the Disney characters and the world that you're encompassed in all day.  She was too little for some of the big rides, but we still went on the staples such as the Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean (a little much for her lol) and Dumbo (by far, her favorite ride). 

I felt really proud as a daddy to be able to take my family to "the Happiest Place on Earth."  There really is nothing quite like it.  I can't wait to go again when she's about 7 or 8 years old and can really enjoy herself.

Some slick improvising on the plans there, man.  One can certainly do a lot worse than Disneyland. 

I've visited the Florida location twice in my life, once when I was eleven, the other when I was twenty-two.  Both times were great, but it was definitely more magical the first time out.  Space Mountain was my absolute fave; I think I went on that about half a dozen times between my two visits.  I'm still disappointed that the Indiana Jones Adventure ride never made it to Florida; I'm told it's really excellent.

I've never liked Splash Mountain, though.  It's funny, I can handle most any big roller coasters with ease, but this one makes me sick to my stomach each and every time.  It's not just the drop that kills me; it's that mounting anticipation, which begins the moment you step onto that line.  (And the longer the line, the worse it becomes.)  I think my mom still has the picture they take of you just before the fall.  You've never seen me more terrified.

family trick or treating in utah,,, its not just for halloween anymore..

Yeah, nice save.  I agree that a re-route was a much better option than a flat out cancellation of the whole travel plans.

I got to briefly visit Disneyland for the first time ever just earlier this year, caught the Haunted Mansion ride and then had to catch my flight out of Cali.