Weekending it - Storybook Land!

This past weekend we made it back to Storybook Land!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My summer happy place. The last time were were there was early fall 2019 and we had the best time and fully planned on enjoying many days there last summer. Of course, 2020 happened and it was a bust. We didn't even attempt to go last year.

We put it on our bucket list this summer and we intend to go when Aunt Jessy comes to visit (she loves amusement parks). But then the scorching weather turned pleasantly cool and we decided to give it a try with two kids to test it out before we bring a guest.

The weather was perfect. The kids struggled with the car ride. It's only an hour and a half from our house but Kip was overly excited and anxious to get there and Ivy just isn't used to being in the car seat that long and barely napped. There was a lot of screaming but we made it in one piece. 

When we got there the parking lot was PACKED and there was a huge line outside which made me really nervous. Every time we came in 2019 it wasn't crowded at all. I think it was a combination of the nice weather and the fact that school isn't out yet. People just haven't left on vacations yet so they all flocked to Storybook Land. This was our first major outing with the kids "post" pandemic and the first time we've really taken Ivy anywhere except the park or doctor's office. Fortunately, once we go inside the park, it didn't feel crowded. And since it's all mainly outside it wasn't hard to stay somewhat distanced from others. We wore our masks but it wasn't required so we took them off when we were by ourselves. 

Kip was in heaven. He loves it there and this time he was mainly interested in the train layout at the little Jingle Bell Junction building. We checked that out first.

Then took a ride on the train.

Then Kip got to ride on the little cars that he was too small for the last time we came. 

 

 

Kip braved the roller coaster with Dan but was truly terrified the whole time. 

 

 

Ivy lived her best people watching-snack enjoying life.

 

 

Touched the North Pole. 

 

 

Then back to the train layout. 

 

 

Stopped for lunch.

 

 

Rode the carousel. 

 

 

A ride on the candy cane express.

 

Back to the train layout.

 

 

Dumbo ride with Mimi.

 

Construction truck ride.

Digger.

 

 

Little cars again and checking out some of the other attractions.

 

We grabbed some dip n' dots and funnel cake before hitting up the gift shop and heading home.

We pushed the limit with Ivy but fortunately both she and Kip slept for an hour on the ride home. The last 30 minutes of the drive were filled with baby screaming so that wasn't fun but overall a really great day. We can't wait to go back.

Considering Kip's favorite part was the train layout, we are now on the hunt for a train attraction in New Jersey. Gotta feed the obsession while it lasts!