Disneyland 2012

Kyle has a ton of photos on his phone so **reminder** to add those. Can I just say Disneyland in 1 day is exhausting!!! We woke up early to get there right after it opened. We met up with the cousins, which Gus was really excited about then we did Disneyland. Right when we walked in we saw Mickey, and there were only 4 people in line so we ran right over to meet him and get a picture with him. I think we could have left right then and Gus would have been happy. Gus is a shoe boy and before our turn to meet Mickey he kept saying shoes, then to get him to stop you have to say yeah Mickey is wearing shoes isn't he... Our first ride was Buzz light year and luckily the line went pretty fast, then we did Mr. Toads then off to Pirates. The frightened picture above is right after one of the descents on Pirates, he was a little freaked by those. After Pirates we decided to take Gus back to the hotel for a nap. Enter 2 hour nap here, then back to Disneyland we went. Our first stop was the Tiki room one of Kyle's favorites, then we ate the best food (in my opinion) at Disneyland the clam chowder soup bowls. The cousins were back to Disneyland at this point so we left Summer, Noah, and Ava in the 70 minute line for the Haunted Mansion while Kyle, Adam, Grant, Gus and I went to Winnie the Pooh. After Winnie the Pooh we did Dumbo's flying Circus, and then Snow White's ride. Adam had to go find his wife at this point so Kyle and I took Gus to Toone Town to see where Mickey lived. Nobody was there which was super nice. I think they were all at the parade. We went on Roger Rabbits ride, went through Mickey's house and even got to meet him again, played in Chip and Dale's tree house, and shopped a little there. Then we boarded the train that goes around the park, did one full loop of that then met up with the cousins to go see Fantasmic. Holy people is all I have to say. Disneyland was crazy busy the entire day. I ran a half marathon there a few years ago over Labor Day weekend and I think it was busier this time than on Labor Day which is saying a lot!!! Gus still loved every moment of it. We ate Churros, had a Dole pineapple float, and tried one of the famous hand dipped corn dogs to end the day. The cousins left right after Fantasmic, but Kyle and I kept exploring every inch of Disneyland until 11:30 California time. The nice thing with that is, after the last parade, fireworks, and Fantasmic showing the park clears out substantially. We did the Tiki room again and went through the castle, went down all of the side streets, looked through almost every store for Gus Gus paraphernalia which we didn't find. We bought Gus a Mickey piggy bank to replace the Rainbow Bright one I got at a yard sale and now the boy thinks we are endless suppliers of change for that thing. the last picture is of Gus wide awake at 1 am California time. This kid won't sleep unless you lay him with his taddy and ankie two (teddy and two blankies). He was such a trooper and it was so fun seeing his face light up on all of the rides!

Tips to remember for our next trip

• If you want to buy a Dole pineapple float don't wait in the long line outside, walk in like you are going to see the show and buy on the other side!! They have restrooms there too which are never busy.
• Go to Toone Town during the last parade, no one is there and you can walk on everything with no wait.
• They shut down Peter Pan for the fireworks so if you want to do Peter Pan without a long wait, wait in the line that is forming by Mr. Toadz during the fireworks. You will get on in a jiffy.
• Bring a blanket to save yourself a spot for the showing of Fantasmic the best seat is right in front of the Blue Bayou restaurant. People start setting up camp around 5:00 so do the same and leave your stroller by it or better yet bring your dinner there to save your spot.
• Arrive to Disneyland before it opens. They open main street before the park opens and you can wait there.
• I brought fun light up toys I bought at Walmart, snacks, Mickey ears my sister bought Gus last time they went, we bought our own water before going into Disneyland...

I forgot to add this cute video of Gus meeting Mickey. I didn't realize Kyle was recording the entire thing, or else we wouldn't have posed for a picture. lol