Horrorstruck

We started Halloween month off by going to Disneyland to check out how they do Halloween (we already know Ocean Park’s is awesome!). 

This was also Ridge’s first time at Disneyland.  He was decked out in a Halloween shirt and raring to go… but it turned out to be much too hot for black, so he had to change.  His festive Halloween bib had to suffice. 

In between Ridge’s napping, we tried to get him on some of the baby-friendly rides.  His favorite was It’s A Small World; he clapped and smiled all the way through!  He mostly stared in awe through the others.

 

 

Disneyland was set up with lots of spooky displays and picture-taking spots.

   

They also had a few haunted attractions.  Not thinking correctly, I opted to take Jade in one with me. 

Really, what was I thinking?!  The worker said Jade was tall enough to go in, so I guess I figured that meant it was age appropriate too—like the Haunted Mansion at the California Disneyland.  I tried prepping Jade beforehand by telling her not to be scared, everything was pretend, etc.  Little did I know, I was way in over my head.  As soon as we walked in, a scary something jumped out at us.  In an instant, Jade had jumped into my arms and held on tight, trembling all the rest of the way through.  This was a bona fide Haunted House—very morbid, very scary.  I don’t get scared in these things, so I was trying to calm Jade by making light of everything: “oh, look at that guy’s crazy hair; look at the lady’s funny walk; the books are flying around like in Beauty and the Beast…”  Despite my efforts, the trembling continued.  Finally I got smart and told her to just close her eyes.  I think she was also trying to plug her ears.  Poor thing.  I felt like the worst mother EVER.  Definitely not my finest parenting moment.  I was worried she’d have nightmares after that, but she hasn’t.  Instead when she sees creepy Halloween items now, she points and laughs, “Mommy look!  Funny.”  She knows I find them amusing and I think/hope it’s rubbing off on her.  With any luck, she’s learned she has nothing to fear when it comes to Halloween!  I still feel bad for taking her in there though…

After dark—and after the haunted house—we walked around taking pictures with all the scary creatures in the forest.  For the record, Jade was not scared; she found it quite fun.  Her favorite was the one with two faces (below middle); my favorite was Chinese Medusa (below right).  I think Ridge was intrigued by them too. 

The night ended with a Halloween parade and fireworks. 

A day at Disneyland is always a blast, but I must say I was disappointed in the Halloween portion.  Overall, there really wasn’t that much.  A few displays, a couple attractions… they could do so much more!!  For Halloween fun, I would totally recommend Ocean Park over Disneyland.  Sans children.  That one’s definitely too scary for the kiddies.