Disclaimer: the pictures that follow record the only five moments of harmony we experienced the entire day– it only looks like we were having fun

We went to Tokyo over Thanksgiving weekend to go to Disneyland and Disney Sea, and we were excited to see both parks decorated for Christmas. On our first full day, we made it to Disneyland right before lunch after missing a shuttle, sending our bags to a second hotel, and maneuvering the subway system with four children. It was a beautiful day, sunny and 56 degrees when we walked in the gates. For a split second, I felt like we were in the states. The gorgeous tree and familiar carols in English…and then there were the children protesting rides and arguing over the map…Ahh…it’s beginning to feel like Christmas.

We turned right into Tomorrowland, and the first ride in the corner was Monsters, Inc. It was a new ride to us, and two of the four kids were excited to try it. We got in line and the expectation bubbles began bursting. It was a long line. One child said she was NOT going to ride—arms crossed, feet planted. Two others begin berating her about how she couldn’t stay out in the park by herself. We talked everyone into staying in line and within minutes, they began kicking each other in line. WE’RE AT DISNEYLAND, PEOPLE! THIS IS THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH, SHAPE IT UP! An hour and half later, sulky and worn, we got on the two minute ride. They all had fun, even if they wouldn’t admit it.

Things didn’t really improve from there. Cora Jo wanted to go through ToonTown and the character houses (someone else didn’t). It was cold and crowded and no cajoling, bribery, or threats helped. We hit a sweet spot mid-afternoon when we were able to ride the Jungle Cruise and the Pirates of the Caribbean with minimal wait and drama. Everyone loved both rides. (In 2008, I took the girls, ages 5 and 7, on Nemo the submarine ride and the Jungle Cruise. The girls screamed–and I mean SCREAMED– in terror through both rides. I thought they were damaged for life. It’s good to know that it was only temporary.)

After dinner, we tried to go through Cinderella’s Castle Tour while we waited for the electrical parade. Cora Jo assumed her “I’m not going” position, and Matt took the other three in. We sat in the cold, shivering and within ten minutes, Matt and the others came back out, Jet in full fit mode. We all sat down to wait for him to play it out. A castmember was distraught that Jet might not be having the happiest time on earth, and she spoke reassuringly to him in Japanese and scared him quiet for a few minutes. We ended up leaving the park before the parade, a screamer in tow. On the train home, I was in tears asking Matt who planned this ridiculous family ‘fun.’

Once we arrived at our hotel, we had a pow-wow and realized that we hadn’t hydrated well, and a couple kids hadn’t eaten much because they were being picky. We went to bed, hoping the next day would go better. (It did…day 2 to follow)