Disneyland: Day One

In reminiscing about our trip to Disneyland, 5 things immediately come to mind:

1.) Abi loved the roller coasters. In fact, her favorite ride was the Matterhorn!

2.) On the first morning we arrived, we stopped by the Customer Service desk. They asked if we were celebrating anything special. I told them it was Abi's 4th birthday and as you will see in the pictures, they gave her a personalized birthday button. This turned out to be the best thing we could have done. Not only does this prompt every employee of Disneyland to wish you happy birthday (and let me tell you, there are a lot of employees at Disneyland), but we also got taken to the front of the line for one ride (bypassing about 45 minutes of waiting). We also got complimentary desserts at most restaurants! We even had random people saying and singing Happy Birthday to us throughout the day.

3.) On multiple occasions, after waiting in lines up to 45 minutes, Abi would tell us she needed to go to the bathroom about 30 seconds before we were about to get on the ride. As I contemplated our next steps and visions of what could happen floated into my mind, we would generally make our way out of line and find the nearest bathroom. Thank goodness all the Disneyland employees were very accommodating and we were able to get back to the front of the line.

4.) Abi was quite the trooper on our trip. We didn't have any nap times or even a stroller. She walked & walked & walked all over Disneyland and California Adventure and we saw and did everything we could possibly squeeze into two days. We usually started around 8 and didn't get back to the hotel until around 11 each night. Josh and I were tired so I can't even imagine how her little legs felt at the end of the days.

5.) Despite two full action-packed days, when anyone asks Abi how her trip to Disneyland was, she tells them about the two things that she didn't get to see (Donald Duck and the ghosts - Josh was preparing her before our trip and told her that she would see ghosts in the haunted mansion.) You would think she would be able to recall just one thing that we did but she only talks about what she didn't see. Go figure...

Our first of many pictures at Disneyland

As soon as we walked into the park, Minnie Mouse happened to be passing by. She grabbed Abi's hand and walked her around Main Street. Abi kept looking up at Minnie with such awe - in a way that only a child could. It was so cute and a moment that Abi (& I) soon won't forget!

...and then we got to meet Mickey!

Next, we visited Pixie Hollow to meet Tinkerbell and her fairy friends...

Tinkerbell checking out Abi's "wings"

Abi driving her car on Autopia.
Josh was driving with her and I am surprised he didn't have whiplash with Abi behind the wheel. She is one crazy driver!

Checkin' out the map

Next, we visited the Disney Princesses (the most important part of our trip to Disneyland!)

PRINCESS JASMINE

BELLE

Abi's favorite - PRINCESS AURORA

Then, we headed to Frontierland where we met up with Woody and Jessie from Toy Story. Again, Abi happened to be at the right place at the right time because as Jessie walked passed us, she grabbed Abi's hand and they walked around the park for a few minutes. Again, it was too cute!

Woody was the only character that Abi was a little hesitant to meet because he was SO tall.

Next, we headed over to Critter Country where we met up with Pooh and friends.

Dumbo

Teacups

Walking through Sleeping Beauty's castle

One last visit with Steamboat Willie Mickey Mouse before dinner and the fireworks show!