The Happiest Place On Earth!

     We went to Disneyland! Again.  :)  I know, I know, we've been a family for 19months and we've been to The Happiest Place On Earth twice.  But I say, why the heck not? I had another work conference in Anaheim, Gramma had the time off, and Isaac's social calendar was free (that kid is particularly popular!) so we traded cold & rainy Seattle for warm & sunny SoCal for a few days. And had a GREAT time!

Disneyland 2014

Day 1:

I continue to be impressed with what a fantastic traveler Isaac is. I thought maybe having to be buckled into his own plane seat this time would be an issue. Nope. He had his pirate's booty, his new backpack from Gramma, and a plane full of people to wave to. No problemo.

Holding on in the airport tram

All buckled in & ready to fly!

 

 After being strapped to a plane, a bus, and his stroller for most of the day, I let him run loose a little through Downtown Disney. I'm sure whomever was manning the security cameras back at Disney HQ got a kick out of the gramma pushing an empty stroller chasing a frantic mother with a camera chasing a three year old weaving through foot traffic like a loose leaf in a windstorm!  But he got his energy out, worked on some projects at the Lego store, and sat through a great dinner with friends at the Rainforest Cafe.

Running through Downtown Disney

Seriously...ALL legos.

 



Outdoor lego tables...couldn't get any better.



Day 2:

Breakfast with Minnie & Friends on Main Street in Disneyland!  Last year, he wasn't too fond of the giant stuffed animals bugging him while he was eating. This year, he remained a little cautious until Cap'n Hook tickled him with his hook!  Crazy Cap'n Hook. 

Breakfast with Minnie & Friends
(Not too sure about the giant mouse)

 

Who doesn't love Mikey-shaped waffles??
 

Apparently, Cap'n Hook is a tickle monster

 

I have no idea who this character is, but high-fives are his speciality.

 

Um, Mom....

It was a short morning because of my conference, but we hung around Story Book Land riding the boat and the train. His preference was the train (less waiting time too), and gave a notable & gleeful WHOA when the train went up and over a (very tiny) hill. I may have a future roller coaster-rider on my hands!

 

 

 

 

One of the highlights of the morning...Isaac got to ride up front with the driver of the horse-drawn carriage down Main Street. VERY cool!!

 

 

What a view!

We came back in the evening after my conference with reservations at Big Thunder Ranch. We had visited the goats in the petting zoo last year; apparently, Isaac remembered them--he stormed right in and stooped to look each goat in the eye as if to say "hey guys! remember me?!"

 

Jessie!

 

Hi goats!

 

I swear to you, he posed for this picture.
Walked up to the goat, placed his arm and waited for me to get the camera.
Cheeky kid!

 

 

Farley the Fiddle-dude let Isaac play Wheels on the Bus on his fiddle!

Dinner entertainment at Big Thunder Ranch

Day 3:

Good morning Disneyland!

We are one of the first people on the Jungle Cruise. Isaac was enthralled with the animals but took the recommendation to remain seated at all times very seriously. I am  NOT going to stand up to look at the hippos or elephants that are six inches from the boat, thank you very much, I can see them just fine while I'm sitting down looking through the mesh MOTHER.  Alright. Alright. 

We also got on our first real ride...The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh!  If  you've never been on that ride, it's pretty overstimulating with a 60's psychedelic theme, but he seemed to enjoy it!

Riding on King Arthur's Carousel.
We are BIG fans of carousels. :)

The afternoon parade was the highlight of the day--as it was last year. One of the dancing Chimney Sweeps from Mary Poppins came up and said hello to Isaac...I thought he was going to absolute faint with joy! I can only imagine that little experience was the front page of his mental scrapbook!

Waiting for the parade with my boy

Hi Mickey!

 

 

Mom-here they come!!

We ended the day with a 5.3 earthquake and a few aftershocks.  Thankfully, Isaac slept through it, but it took Gramma & I a while to relax again. I much prefer my planet to go roundy-roundy and not shakey-shakey.

 

Day 4:

Its our last day in paradise. Toon town called our name as did a showing of Mickey's Magical Map--both were great, Isaac konked out in classic toddler-at-Disneyland-style. :)

Rocking out on Goofy's crazy piano
(Wasn't such a good share-er on this toy)

Chilaxing

My sweet boy all konked out

Sleeping piggies

I asked a friend of mine, who has basically raised her kids at Disneyland, the best age to experience the happiest place on earth. She said "every age is the best age! You get to see it differently each time from their perspective.". That statement convinced me that, when possible, we will be frequent Disneyland-ers. Last year I saw Disney on the open water rides only with an apprehensive twp tear old, this year I saw it through the eyes of a toddler enthralled with teeney-tiny hills on a kid train and awestruck during parades; through people watching on Main Street and mingling with goats...and it was awesome. Already looking forward to next time!

Happy boy!