Mickey Mouse (Day 2)

A caveat:
With this being our first trip away from home with a toddler and a 10 year old, my husband and I were destined to learn a few travelling/lodging lessons. 1) Spend a few bucks more for the family hotel suite, kids in another room. Between Dominick's snoring and sleep talking and Simon's constant shuffling in the porta crib I did not reach my full resting potential, although Nick seemed to do fine. 2) Always stay at the hotel with the free deluxe breakfast, it was a lifesaver. 3) Don't overpack the toys, the more you bring the more you are searching for when it's time to go.

With tickets, camera, diaper bag, stroller and kids in hand we boarded the shuttle bright and early Monday morning and headed for Disneyland.  We weren't the first family at the gates but we were close enough.  Nick and Dominick waited in line and I let Simon run off some post breakfast energy in the Disney plaza.  Our early arrival paid off, the first sight we saw as we passed the gates and walked under the overpass was none other than the big mouse himself. I ran (yes, actually ran) toward MM and we were the first family to get our picture taken with him.

Our next stop was the Disney train, circling us around the park as Dominick picked out the rides we would go on. We stopped for a few more photo opps on our way to Fantasyland to begin our ride riding.

We went through Fantasyland hitting every ride we could. Not one line seemed too long. Dominick waited patiently and Simon did his best.  I was impressed with Simon, he did not get scared by any of the rides and even appeared to enjoy them.

Tomorrowland was next on our list.  Nick and Dominick headed toward Space Mountain while Simon enjoyed a nap in his stroller, a result of standing in the very long "Small World" line.  The two of us sat and enjoyed the sun. I was disappointed when Buzz Lightyear came strolling by since Simon was still asleep and not able to say hi to his favorite space ranger. When the little guy did wake up we made up for missing Buzz by battling Zurg with Buzz in Astroblasters. Afterwards it was lunch time then Toon Town where much fun was had.

After Toon Town it was off to Adventureland. Dominick and I braved Indiana Jones and the four of us visited the Caribbean and saw some pirates (3 times). Simon was not scared but remained wide eyed during the ride.  Nick and Dominick naievely rode Splash Mountain while Simon and I went to Winnie the Pooh's birthday party.  We hit a few more rides and then it was time for the Christmas Parade.  We were a little late to the game so didn't get the prime seating on Main Street but we were able to see the action. A lot of my pictures of the parade didn't turn out so great, here is one of us waiting for it to start.

When the parade was finished we headed toward the gates to make our way back to the hotel. But not before Nick and Dominick visited our 16th President.

And so concluded our Disneyland day. Tired, overwhelmed and excited for the next day we boarded the shuttle and off we went.  The boys slept good that night, and I did a little better as well.  We would do the same thing all over tomorrow, only at a different park.