Happy Travel Tuesday, friends!
It’s time for PART THREE of our trip to Disneyland and Dancing with the Stars 🙂 .
If you missed PART ONE or PART TWO, make sure you catch those posts too!
Okay, this was the BIG day!
This was the day we were going to do a little Disneyland and DANCING WITH THE STARS!
Eeeeeeks!
Let’s get to it…
We bounced out of bed bright and early excited to tackle Disneyland. Since we stayed at a Disneyland resort, we had early entry into the park.
We grabbed our Starbucks and headed right on over…
Let the magic begin!
Early entry was EPIC! We rode TEN rides before the park even opened. We were legit running from one ride to the next with no lines at all.
Up we went in the Dumbo ride…
…we stopped for pics at the Mad Hatter’s…
…we absolutely loved walking through Mickey and Minnie’s houses.
Guess who we bumped into?!
I MEAN, STOP IT RIGHT THERE! You guys, I teared up! Call me crazy, but I’ve been to Walt Disney World/Disneyland/Aulani/Disney Cruise Line more times than I could count, and I’ve never “bumped into” the main man.
We toured both houses…
…rode more rides…
…hitting our favorites once more before…
…heading back to the resort to shower and change for Dancing With The Stars 🙂 .
So, I shared this in POST #1, but my sweet brother got us tickets to DWTS since he knew his niece was a super fan.
Sean was a cast member on DWTS twelve years ago, so that’s how he was able to get the tickets (I had so many people ask me). I have no idea if you can purchase tickets for the show, but I *think* you can get free tickets to stand on that third deck (that’s what I kept hearing while we were there).
Here’s what I do know…
Just like when Andrew and I took the older kids to watch Sean on DWTS back in 2013, there were a lot of “rules” for being in the audience.
Rule #1, what you can/cannot wear. They requested cocktail attire for the women and jackets and ties for the men. You aren’t allowed to wear the color white or any clothing with writing on it. You can find what we wore here: MADES’ DRESS, MADES’ SHOES, MY DRESS
I had a car service pick us up and take us from Anaheim (where Disneyland is located) to The Grove in LA (where they film DWTS). I didn’t want to mess with traffic and parking as being there on time was a BIG deal. I gave us two hours to get there, but it only took us one hour each way. We left at 1:30, arrived at 2:30 and our sweet driver let us sit with him until it was time to be dropped off at 3:30.
Rule #2, you must be on time. The show is filmed live at 5:00 PM PST, and they said we had to check in by 3:30 and be in our seats by 4:15.
The driver took us to one entrance, and the guard looked at my ID and started making phone calls. I started internally panicking. What if they changed their minds and we weren’t allowed to come in? What if my brother messed up the date? The guard finally walked back to the car with my drivers license and said we were at the wrong entrance. We were supposed to be at the VIP entrance for families. How cool/fun/special/sweet that my brother hasn’t been on DWTS in 12 years, but they still made sure his family was treated like the current cast members’ families?!
Now, you know what I was thinking, right?
I was thinking how special for Madeley to get VIP seats.
WRONG.
I was thinking, HOLY CRAP, WHAT IF ZAC EFRON IS SITTING BY ME?!?!?!
His brother Dylan is a current cast member…and you better believe that’s all I was thinking. Bahahaha!
Rule #3, bring your ID and go through a lot of security.
We made it to the VIP section and went through metal detectors and then went to a second check point and showed more ID and then finally made it to the stage door where they…
…had us stand in a certain order so that when we walked onto the soundstage, we were right by our seats. Since Madeley is a super fan, I kept saying things like “Do you see Zac Efron” over and over again. He was not there, but she was able to point out his mom and dad and little sister. The last time I did “all of this” stuff, I had a three and a four year old with me. Spoiler alert, it was way more fun not having two preschoolers in tow 😉 . I was able to stand there and people watch.
Do we look giddy? Because we were! We stood in our spots almost an hour watching all the people get placed in their spots. While we were standing there, the lighting was so good which made…
…the cast members start to come out and take pics. Eeeeks! We were so excited to see them pop in and out right by us. There’s Jordan!
And I was also able to snap some pics of Danielle too…
We saw so many other dancers and pros just standing there waiting.
Rule #4, you better go potty before you go inside. A page for the show kept coming around offering to take us to the bathroom as it is frowned upon to potty once you’re inside and the show is live. I don’t know about you, but the more people ask me if I need to go to the bathroom and/or tell me how limited my opportunity is about to be to go potty, the more I have to go. Needless to say, Mades and I both took turns and went before entering the soundstage.
Right around 4:30, it was time to go inside and look…
…our chairs were even marked! Eeeeks! So fun!
Here we all are getting onto the soundstage and going to our seats. Our seats were at the back of this section which, at first, I thought “I hope Mades can see”, but I quickly realized we had the BEST seats in the house.
Here are just some random pics before the show started…
Two VERY excited girls!
People spotting…
…like The Bachelor, Joey…
…and Julianne and Derek Hough’s family sat right in front of us (that’s them!), so both Julianne and Derek and his wife kept coming over to talk. Mades and I were star struck.
See…
…me trying to subtly take Derek’s pic.
Within minutes, the soundstage was full, and we were ready to go.
Rule #5, you can use your phone, just don’t get in the camera operators’ way.
Now this rule was very different than when we went in 2012. In 2012, no cameras or phones were allowed on the soundstage, but they did not care at all this time around.
There are the judges!
So much fun!
That’s Derek talking to his wife (the brunette). She is pregnant, and every single time they went to a commercial break, he got up and checked on her. Every. Single. Time. It was really sweet.
And there’s Alfonso!
Okay, so lots of random pics. I was trying to capture things in photos while also being “in the moment”, so it’s a hodgepodge of pictures.
Why did we have the best seats in the house?
Well, for two reasons.
The first, the chair right next to Madeley’s was the one Alfonso would sit in every time he wasn’t on camera. He basically sat next to Mades the whole show. In fact, in the opening number, Julianne and Alfonso dance. Well after that number, he went back to this seat and stood still while four people took his clothes off and changed him into another outfit. I kept thinking “holy cow, there’s Alfonso stripping down right in front of my kid”. Ha!
The second best part about our seats is that the entrance/exit for every dancer, cast member, and judge was right there (which is why Alfonso sat there). Every single time someone came in or out, they walked past us and EVERYONE said hi. Val gave Mades a fist bump, Carrie Ann Inaba literally sat down in Alfonso’s chair and started talking to Madeley. We saw everyone multiple times right up close and personal. Mades was so excited!
Here they were about to announce which couple was to be eliminated.
And just like that, the two hours flew by, and the show was over.
We stood there a bit and took it all in. The show was so much fun, everyone was so nice…it couldn’t have been a better experience.
We made our way back to the parking lot to meet another driver (around 7:30 PM) and were back in Disneyland by 8:30. We were on a DWTS high but tired at the same time. We showered, ordered room service and watched TV before bed.
And that was Madeley’s 11th birthday trip to Disneyland and Dancing With The Stars 🙂 .
The BIGGEST thank you to my sweet brother for getting us these tickets. It was truly a trip of a lifetime for both of us.
Don’t forget, WE WOULD LOVE TO SEND YOU TO DISNEY TOO! Whether you want to visit Disneyland, Walt Disney World, go on a Disney Cruise, head to Disney’s Aulani Resort, an Adventures by Disney and more, we would love to help make it extra magical for you. Contact our travel agency today for more information. We LOVE sending clients on vacation all over the world. We would love to work with you too.
I have one more little TRAVEL TUESDAY post for the day! Two for your Tuesday! Make sure you check out INSIDE MY CARRY ON BAG: BOCA RATON EDITION today too!
If you have any DWTS questions, I can answer them in the comment section.
Have the BEST day! I’ll see you all tomorrow. xx
Elspeth Mizner says
What an incredible experience and memory for both you and Madeley! Thanks for sharing!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
How magical! I know Madeley had the best birthday trip ever!!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Diane Moore says
So fun!! Thanks for sharing it all. So kind that your brother uses his experiences and opportunities (and acceptances of challenges presented) as ways to bless his niece. Really special.
Molly Summers says
Today was so fun to read and view all the photos with morning coffee, the best ! Thrilled for Madeley
Stacie says
Loved reading about your DWTS experience. Love that after all these years of Sean being on the show that they treated his family so wonderfully. Makes me love the show more. Glad Mades got to enjoy the experience.
Kristin says
Wow! What an amazing experience. I’m with you. All of the bathroom warnings would’ve had me having to go the entire time! So glad Madeley got to experience this!
SS says
What a fun day and night!!! Shay, that would’ve been me asking about Zac! 😆 How bad did you want to do the Carlton Dance???
What a fantastic Uncle!! A present she will NEVER FORGET!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
SO BADLY!!! I loved that show 😉 .
Sheaffer Sims says
What a fantastic behind the scenes look at one of my favorite shows! INCREDIBLE!
Tasha says
Thanks for sharing!! How do you handle doing special things like this with just one kiddo? I think you mentioned in another post that Ashby is also a big DWTS fan, was she bummed to not go and if so how do you handle moments like that?
Mix and Match Mama says
Ashby’s love for DWTS diminished. I asked her if she wanted to go too, but she declined. We only have one super fan left in the fam (although this season, we’re all watching!). We always just do what’s best for each kiddo. Ashby is really into sports right now which is why she got to go to NYC and see two Yankees games the weekend of her birthday…everyone is different. We just kind of roll with it.
Laci says
What an amazing trip!!!
Paula Hobbs says
Uncle Sean is pretty awesome!! What a wonderful experience for that sweet girl (and mama)!! Memories that she will treasure for a lifetime!!
Kristen says
I remember when Sean was on and you took Kensington and Smith! How fun Madeley got to experience this too!
Sandra Roberts says
I love this!! I found myself looking at every picture trying to see if I recognized anyone. What a fun birthday!
Jessica Belanger says
I didn’t want this post to end! I can imagine that is how you and Madely felt the whole day! What a fun experience!
Lori says
Love this post and so dang happy for Madeley to such an amazing birthday. You did good Uncle Sean.\
And I’m not sure if you know who Garrett Gee is but you captured him in a couple of your photos. He’s in the photo after you chair photo. He wore a hat, shirt and shorts. He and his wife started the Bucket List Family. They have a huge following and are friends with Derek and his wife. Since you are a world traveler and so are they I thought you would like to know and check out their YouTube channel and his wife Jess has a travel book with National Geographic.
Mix and Match Mama says
I am unfamiliar with them. I am looking them up now. Thank YOU!
Anne says
Yes! His Instagram has a pic of him at the show!
Jenny N says
Yes, I noticed Garrett right away! He was so excited to be on the show and see Topanga.
Kim says
I so loved reading this post and what an awesome experience that Madeley will never forget!
Kristen says
What was the best dance to watch? Did they have tv screens up too where you could watch the packages before the dances ? Could you hear the judges comments? I have so many questions, lol!
Mix and Match Mama says
They had one big screen behind the actual stage and that’s where they showed the packages, but you couldn’t hear it very well, so we missed a lot of that content (and later re-watched the episode to hear it better).
Sarah DeWald says
That looks like one of the best birthday experiences ever! You can see the joy on your faces in every picture!
Lori says
How fun! Thanks for taking us behind the scenes!
Susan P Fitzpatrick says
Wow!! What a great experience for Madeley!! That’s a birthday the both of you will never forget! I have a friend that lives in your neck of the woods and loves DWTS. I believe she’s met alot of the pros on the show. I will be watching DWTS tonight. My daughter is always rooting for Andy! 😄
Erika Slaughter says
What an AMAZING birthday!! HOW Special!!
Sue Jones says
This was so fun to read. I felt like I was there! What an incredible experience! Who is Mades favorite couple?
Mix and Match Mama says
Robert and Whitney!
Carol says
This season is SO GOOD! How exciting for Madeley and for you!
Robyn says
What an incredible day/evening for you and your sweet girl. So, so fun looking at all of your photos.
Jess W says
What a core memory for Madeley! And I’m so glad everyone was so nice to her at the show, it just made me smile reading through this and thinking about how much fun she was having the whole time!
Deb says
What a special birthday and what a special uncle to get tickets for her! Sounds like a blast!
Jill L says
This just makes me so happy for your daughter! Uncle Sean must’ve been beaming hearing all this!
Lauren says
I would love more details about how you could ride ten rides at Disneyland before the park opened! Early entry at DL is only 30 minutes. Even if you ran from one ride immediately to the next with no wait, what 10 rides there are physically close enough and have a ride length of less than 3 minutes each to fit in 10 in 30 minutes? Would love to know how we could better strategize our next visit to DL (before they remove the early entry perk in January). Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
We strategized the day before. We went straight to the “little kid” rides in the back of the park. Toon Town doesn’t open for early entry, but there are so many rides right there next to it for the smaller kids. We went from one to the next to the next without ever waiting in a single line. I had predicted most people would go to the rides with the typical long lines (Haunted Mansion, the roller coasters, Tiana, etc), but we had a “multi pass” to use after 8:00 for those rides. We did Peter Pan, Dumbo, the tea cups, Mr. Toad, and all of those other little ones (that Dwarf one, it’s a small world…I’m trying to think, they all ran together). We did those until our first multipass was open. It worked well!
Lauren says
Thank you so much for your response! Heading to Fantasyland for early entry is a great strategy! My issue is frequently getting held up at Peter Pan, since I find a lot of the early entry crowd with young families go there. You mentioned that Toontown isn’t open for early entry, but I also think it’s worth noting to your readers that the only roller coaster running for early entry is Space Mountain. The other coasters (as well as Small World, Tiana, and several other rides) do not open until the official opening of the park. Thanks again for sharing your experience. Glad you had a wonderful trip!
Mix and Match Mama says
We walked right up to Peter Pan and hopped right on. I highly, highly recommend early entry. It made a huge difference in how much we could accomplish in such a limited amount of time.
Sandi T. says
Such a beautiful experience for a beautiful Mama and daughter! What better way to end your day with room service from a fine hotel, PJs, and TV time snuggles!
Holly C says
What an experience… magical birthday for Mades for sure!!
lee ann vicary says
I looked but even with glasses I can’t see that well. Did you all make it on camera? Since you know where you were seated I figured it would be easier to find yourself.
Mix and Match Mama says
Mades and I can see the outline of us behind the judges, but no, you’d never spot us. Our section was kept really dark so that the judges (sitting in front of us) were illuminated.
Jennifer says
Love all the DWTS details! I need to know how they get the confetti cleaned up so fast in between dances:)
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s a great question! During every commercial break, about five guys with backpack blowers (the kind you use for leaves) would go on the floor and just blow it off the stage. I’m sure they’ve considered this, but to me, it seems more affective to vacuum vs blowing it into the audience, but that’s what they did.
Lindsey A says
I would die if Zac sat next to me!!
Mix and Match Mama says
ME TOO!
Melissa says
I’m guessing it’s the lighting of the photos, but it looks like a lot of people didn’t honor the “no white” dress code! Maybe it’s cream or yellow and just looks different, but as a total rule follower, that’s what I kept noticing in photos!
Mix and Match Mama says
I would say not all men had on a tied and jacket either…but I certainly wasn’t going to break the rules.
Hope says
What an amazing birthday!!!My 10 yr old loves the show as well. I am going to let her read this post tomorrow. What happens during commercial breaks?Are you allowed to get up or run to the restroom etc?The people sitting in the front at the tables, do they switch who sits there during the show and how do you get to sit there??Thanks for sharing your family with us.
Mix and Match Mama says
The commercial breaks went by really quickly. Before the show, they said we could go to the bathroom during the breaks, but we might not be allowed back in if they were live/moving equipment/etc. It was allowed but not encouraged. During each break, it was a buzz of them moving cameras, cleaning off the stage, add props, lighting transitioning…it was just a big buzz of energy.
Laura @ Our Grand Lives says
What a special day/night, indeed! It looks like you got to experience Wicked night at DWTS, too, which must have made the experience extra, extra special for you both! You two will never forget this time together and that’s the best gift of all!
Jeanette says
What an incredible opportunity and birthday celebration for Madely!! Your family truly treasures and is thoughtful of each other 💕.
Meagan Booker says
Bahaha it’s the Zach Efron comments for me! 😂 but real question why haven’t we seen him at all during the show. Or on socials about it. I love him!
Mix and Match Mama says
I KNOW!!!! I am wondering the same thing!
Faith Kapp says
What a fun night!! Sounds like the best birthday ever!!
Faith Kapp says
My girls and their friends are highly disappointed that they haven’t seen Zac in the audience supporting his brother 🤣
Brenda says
So late in posting, but what an amazing experience you and Madeley had! I LOVED hearing all the behind-the-scenes details of DWTS and reading about your excitement in being there! What a fabulous birthday, so many amazing memories for both you and Madeley!