First Day of Grandma’s Vacation DID NOT End as Planned

My mom joined us at Disneyland for her yearly trip. We started the morning out at Disney California Adventure before hopping over to Disneyland. Since we had a hotel, we even stuck around for fireworks, but then everything went awry.
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#DisneyCaliforniaAdventure #DisneylandVacation #DisneylandResort #Disneyland2023 #Disneyland #DisneylandTrip #DisneylandRides

[@crystalraetoday9385]

Congrats to Benjamin for getting on Incredicoaster! It was funny barely seeing his head on the photo. 😂

[@margaretlicon7269]

I love that you split your food with the kids. So many people buy a full meal for their kids and the kids eat a little then throw it away

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I’ve always been taught that food should never go to waste. We don’t buy it if they won’t eat it. We also do try to save money where we can, and American meals (I was going to say Disney, but it’s not just Disney) can be a lot larger than a person needs. This leads to either overeating or waste. So we often split food. A lot of times when I eat at restaurants back at home, I only ever eat half. We all still order full plates individually, but we always take food home for dinner the next night. I say it often that I’m actually wasted on buffets, because I can only ever eat one plate anyway.

[@paulchezkari6952]

Great to see the fam with Grandma visiting and having fun alongside kids🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@kcomeaux2]

I too have to close my eyes on star tours! This was fun to watch while being blocked out 😂. Traver, You look just like your mom by the way!

[@StaindBy]

I see your mom more in your videos than I do at work. Since she’s hidden behind the file cabinets!

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

@@StaindBy 🤣😂

[@jillflorio5635]

i honestly would love a video about the toilets and how to manage bathroom breaks

[@oscarjimenez2931]

These are my favorite type of videos! Vlogs, Keep them coming! 😁

[@hudsonchristmas7864]

I love the vlogs! You’re other videos are so helpful and fun but these kind of videos remind me of just a fun, chill Disney vacation. I love it.

[@jamiecameron-harley5001]

Thanks for giving the viewers a true look at Disneyland… not every visit goes as planned. We all need to learn how to pivot.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Yes indeed! We love to call a "plot twist" when stuff like that happens. Twist and pivot.

[@lisabostrack24]

Happy Birthday to your mom💐. And early birthday to you, Traver. Benji is so brave. And I'm very proud of him. And twice. 😃 👍🎢 Looks like your family had a very successful day. Minus the fireworks. And yay for gingerbread cookies, the best in town.

[@susanwu8339]

That was a blast. Thanks!

[@annie9855]

Congrats Benjamin! Good job!🎉

[@patrickyewestYT]

Your mom seems like the sweetest person

[@Justafoxandabear-nr8pb]

You're boys are great! I love seeing them have fun in the parks. Merry Christmas!

[@savannah4439]

“We have no agenda, we have no plan, we have nothing that we’re trying to accomplish”…me, everyday 😂😂

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

😂

[@anitadoucette8086]

Your mom is adorable! What a fun video with the fam just enjoying time together 🎄🤗 I was born and raised in California so we were at Disneyland, Universal, Knotts and Sea World several times a year! When it was still around, we did Animal Country Safari too which was amazing 🤩…. My sister and brother in law worked for Disney Studios and Disney Pictures so we had some fantastic privileges we wouldn’t be able to enjoy if it wasn’t for them! Then, when my kids were ages 10 & 5, my husband’s job moved us to the other side of the country….Pennsylvania 🥴 so Disney World was our vacay destination! Like yourself, (except in reverse lol) I’m grateful to know both places so well ❤️ really enjoy your videos….Have a truly blessed Merry Christmas 🎄🎁 🙏🏻 ⭐️

[@jackieosam4976]

Happy birthday Traver and mom!

[@Takemetodisney2024]

I’m so excited for Benjamin!!🎉 And he loved it!!

[@michaelwilson6943]

You should do a video that shows how to rope drop when you do buy Genie+ for people who want to try to do everything in one day.

[@kyunglee9081]

What a special day/video! Grandma, first time on the Incredicoaster for Benjamin (Congratulations, Benjamin!), and 2 birthdays (Happy birthday to both of you)! Question: does Little Mermaid seem worse off since its inclusion on Genie+ ?

[@ReezA.MP3]

Yah Benjamin !!! Congrats little dude ? Hope you enjoy more coasters to come 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@leighims]

Happy birthday to you and your mom! 🎉

[@juanserrano5629]

What street do you have to get off from the 5 freeway 🤔🛣️

[@naleishabailey1794]

We always joke about running into you on one of our trips and we finally did. We met you guys twice. Once in midway mania line on 14th. Then the 15 at pirates of the Caribbean we gave little Christmas bubbles to your sons❤️ -From A Disney loving Ohana from Hawaii❤️

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

My kids loved the little bubble packs so thank you so much! That’s such an awesome thing to do.

[@valdez5597]

Hey guys ! I’ve been binge watching all your videos again as we make plans to take our kids back next month ! I love how realistic and honest your videos are . Not everyone can hang all day and all night -last time we went we had to call it a day by 6m as my kids were exhausted too! Keep up the excellent content as we will continue to watch for new menus and ride updates coming up next month !

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I’ll either be filming the food and ride guides tomorrow or Sunday and the videos should be out within the next 7 days. Thank you!

[@VirgoDoll]

I watched this whole vlog i love your channel

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Thank you!

[@wingsovermikey]

You did such a fantastic job on your burger video that I am looking forward to your burrito video so much!

[@jeankathleenmanalang2757]

Belated Happy Birthday to your Mom and Advance Happy Birthday to you Trevor! I didnt realize that it was you guys who were right in front on me on main street waiting for the fireworks. I wanted to say hi but felt shy. lol I was so bummed that it was cancelled. but it was nice to see you guys! Merry Christmas!

[@user-vx3ny4wt4i]

It’s traver. Not trevor

[@mzsantana87]

The LL and Stand By really needs to fix something. They should have a limit. Maybe like 10-1 or something. It sounds like a lot, but 10 people might be like 3 families. I would be so mad if I had to stand there for an hour because LL kept coming.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I am not joking when I say I watched them ignore the standby line for 15 solid minutes at Indiana Jones once. Thankfully, the delay here at Little Mermaid was maybe 3-4 minutes at best. But they could have been sending standby folks through the line while they waited for the handicapped entrance to become available.

[@lujack1801]

But that’s why u buy LL especially if you don’t go to Disney often like me. I only went there once at 1999. And I am going there again for 4 days with lightning pass. Just in case I don’t miss any rides

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

@@lujack1801 Yes and no. So the problem is that FastPass has always existed. And before it was always a 50/50 split. They’d take half of the people from the FastPass and half from standby. Even when they added the paid MaxPass service it still worked that way. Now, with Genie+, they prioritize Lightning Lane at all costs. The average that I’ve seen is 20-30 lightning laners for every 2 standby people. The idea is that since they have paid money, they should be given priority, which, in theory sounds nice. Except that every guest has paid to be there in some capacity. And it wouldn’t kill Lightning laners to wait 30 seconds. In fact, Universal’s Express Pass, which is MUCH more expensive (I wanted it in July and it was $199 just for me. I passed on it.) only promises that the wait time will be cut in half. So if it’s posted at 30 minutes, you’ll wait 15 minutes. But with Disney, Disney essentially gives the finger to standby guests in an effort to get more people to pay for Genie+. The trouble is, as a local, it is just not feasible to pay $120 for a family of 4 every visit. So it’s really locals they are screwing over. They already called Magic Key Holders “unfavorable” in a recent business report. So we see what Disney thinks of their primary attendance base for the SoCal parks.

[@vecna7181]

@@SoCalDisneyDad I have had the same experience the LL went for a full hour and a halve before letting a single standby in some people were saying it was because the ride broke down so they had to put all the LL people threw but I don’t know

[@mzsantana87]

@@lujack1801 I definitely get that. You pay a lot to get LL, but Disney in general is about the magic and making people happy. If they’re not doing their best to accommodate everyone then that’s not making everyone happy. I got and will get LL so I don’t have to wait in super long lines, but I’d feel bad to see standby not moving at all because everyone is going at the same time through LL. My mom was in a wheelchair and we went to go on Indiana Jones. They took us in to where the wheelchair people would load and I really think they forgot about us. We were waiting there with two other wheelchair families for like 15 minutes while they just kept loading everyone else. I understand we got a shortcut in line, but I still felt forgotten about because I’m literally right there watching them constantly letting everyone on while we were just there waiting. However, when I went on Space Mountain as a single rider it was 100% different. You would think they’d wait until it was an odd number group, but they were saving one row each time and taking two single riders to sit together. That ride has LL too, but they were making it work for everyone.

[@chancedollar2358]

I’m so happy I’m in this video you can see me in the jersey in the background recognized you right away

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

How fun! Hope you had an amazing time at Disneyland!

[@user-vx3ny4wt4i]

Good job

[@mzsantana87]

I’m still watching, but my goal is to beat your best score on Toy Story 😂. I’m competitive too, so it’s always fun trying to see who gets the best score. My 2 year old had a higher score than my mom 🤭. Benjamin is so brave. I’m like 4 times his age and I’m scared to go on Incredicoaster.

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

I need to watch some more Toy Story videos to see how these people get 500,000+

[@mzsantana87]

@@SoCalDisneyDadright! I think the highest score that week or month in your video was like 680,000. They must be sharp shooters lol

[@Sean-uh6te]

Thank you for the video, cheers. 12:14

[@DiznyGrandma]

When I go, I am Grandma. That is so fun. Happy your mom had that opportunity. Looks like Benjamin might have a loose tooth.😊 I don’t pay for Genie+ as I have a scooter. If anyone thinks a person with a disability gets special treatment on how quickly they can get onto a ride, think again. I go through the line, then I have to wait for the count, as they only allow a certain number of disability users on the ride at a time. The cast member, or travel agent, should have let that disability wheelchair guest know that before they bought Genie+. It isn't worth it. I agree with you that the cast members should have let the standby lane start moving onto the ride, or just clear the lightning lane behind the guest who had to wait. I also know that they leave a car or two between cars to alert cast members who has a disability so they can slow down or stop a ride. I am happy you all still had a fun time! Always nice to see Amy's big smile. James had cool antlers.😊 I have a suggestion for a future video. Perhaps you can show the eateries menu's and prices. That would be so helpful for planning for food. As the menu's change, maybe an update. Merry Christmas to all of you!

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Your suggestion is actually my TOP priority in the new year. I expect it will be my most popular video for the whole year (it was this year). I’ll be filming for it either January 3rd or 7th and it should be out shortly thereafter. Thank you!

[@hollyrhodee]

Id die to be back here rn😢

[@craigmeadow2928]

Our last day tomorrow! Hope to see you guys!!

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

We, unfortunately, had to cancel our reservations. Amy and I aren’t feeling well. I hope you have an enjoyable last day of your trip!

[@craigmeadow2928]

Hope you guys feel better for Christmas!!! We did see you guys, in the it's a small world line but did want scream across the" HELLO"😂😂😂

[@MainStreetMartins]

22:25 Come see us in May AND at Christmas!!! 😂

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

A little too expensive for that. 😅 This May trip is going to cost me more than any trip we’ve ever taken to WDW. Prices keep going up, AND we are adding in two days at Universal. I initially wanted to do 3 days at Universal and visit Volcano Bay, but we had to make some cuts to save money. So we slashed a day from both Universal and WDW as well as downgraded our second WDW hotel from Deluxe to Moderate (we are doing a split stay and wanted to splurge for once, having never stayed at a Deluxe). I remember when it used to only cost me $4,000 to go to WDW. Now it’s more than double that.

[@MainStreetMartins]

Oh I get it! We are annual passholders and I’m a TA so I get just how expensive it has gotten. Glad you’re coming in May! It sounds like a great trip! Hopefully my fam will see you in the parks! We are actually headed to DL at the end of May for our first trip! We are so excited!

[@stephaniesmith2514]

Will you be at Legoland for the 31/1sr for new years?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

We might be there Sunday. Haven’t made up our minds just yet. But I doubt we stick around for their new years celebration event. Alternatively we might go Monday. I’m just not sure yet. But we will probably be there at least one of those days.

[@stephaniesmith2514]

@@SoCalDisneyDadwe have followed you since moving here 2 years ago. Our goal has been to find you and the family. We splurged on a hotel room for the first time. Hope to see you there!

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

@@stephaniesmith2514 Have a good time! We love the hotels there.

[@leighims]

What hotel did you stay at?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

The Anaheim Majestic. Review will be up tomorrow. I have an old review of the hotel from a little over a year ago, but this is a different type of room and Amy has never been, so I thought I'd do another video.

[@Dolcevita_bakes]

So before they put little mermaid on this ridiculous lightning Lane system or whatever it is when you’re disabled, you would just walk straight up to the entrance and they would have like a chain there and you just tell them that you’re disabled and they let you write in if you have a return time, of course the deaths pass and then they ask if you can walk and you tell him now you can’t walk much further it hurts which it does and that we need a ride to be slow down which we always do it all because I walk with a cane, and I am wondering now with this lightning lane if they make you go in it like they do all the other rains It is absolutely ridiculous. In my opinion it’s very discriminatory especially after you’ve already waited for your return time with the death pass do you know if they let disabled people go in the same way as before or has that changed?

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

Everyone with a mobility device that I’ve ever seen (since the change) has gone through the line. And then once you reach the door, they split you off toward the exit. I assume that DAS uses the Lightning Lane. But I can’t speak to that with 100% certainty.

[@bdajazzfan]

Your annoyance for the lightning lane makes no sense. People are paying money to skip the line, so of course Disney makes that priority. I would say locals that go every flipping minute of their lives to Disneyland and complain about waiting in line is more annoying than anything. You can pay like everyone else and be accommodated to skip the line. 🤦🏽‍♀️🙄

[@VirgoDoll]

Shut up😒

[@SoCalDisneyDad]

What doesn’t make any sense is why Disney doesn’t simply aim to be the most efficient. If there’s currently a wheelchair blocking the access to the wheelchair entrance, and the next Lightning laner is in a wheelchair, waiting for that entrance to open up, they should be sending the the standby line through. It makes no logical sense to hold up BOTH lines because the Lightning lane cannot be taken first. It also makes no sense to completely IGNORE the standby line entirely as I have witnessed many times. I’ve said it before on a previous video, and I’ll say it again here, I literally put a timer on while I was in Standby for Indiana Jones and they did not take a single person from standby for 15 solid minutes. This is not an exaggeration. They didn’t take a single person from standby for FIFTEEN minutes. Universal Studios has an Express Pass that is 5x as expensive as Disney’s pass and only claims to cut the line in half. That means if the wait is 30 minutes, you can expect a 15 minute wait with Express. Yet Disney won’t let a Genie+ buyer stand in line for a minute. It’s an excellent recommendation for the service. But a big screw you to passholders that make the bulk of their audience.