Part Two: Disneyland!

We drove to the Disneyland Parking garage and parked on the Daisy Duck level. We needed to get a little more organized. We took out the strollers, loaded and fixed the diaper bag, sun screened everyone up and headed off to the tram.
Etta asked if we were in Disneyland California. I told her we were waiting in line to get into Disneyland and that we were already in California. She didn't care about the facts she just wanted to go to Disneyland California.

Etta's little smile.

Gibby just chillin' waiting to go into Disneyland

The anticipation was crazy as we stood in line to go into Disneyland. When we walked in it felt like we had just entered a different magical place. I just love DISNEYLAND.

It was pretty early in the morning so we decided to hit Pirates before the line got to long. They had recently redone it to include characters from the movie and it was both one of mine and Andy's favorite rides in the past. All the rides you needed to leave your stroller, but not your backpack. So instead of holding on to the kids while waiting in line we put them on our back. They both had no idea what we were doing but they were excited. The line was not bad at all and soon we were on the ride. Gibby immediately hated it. Etta was a bit weary. Once Daddy showed her the pirates and funny characters and she started doing a little better. Gibby hated the small down hill slides, darkness and the water that splashed.

Excited waiting in line.

Cute Daddy and Etta, oh and Minnie Mouse

After Pirates, Etta a little weary and Gibby just wants out.

We made it out and I will say I liked the addition of the Characters from the movie. Still one of my favorite rides. We were then making our way to Toontown, but thought lets hit The Haunted Mansion while we are right here. Not thinking to much about it. We got in and Etta immediately wanted to leave. The dark and noise scared Gibby again and Etta was a little freaked out with the ghosts. We left the Haunted Mansion with a very quite and sad Gibby and a daughter that said "Can we go home". I hope I didn't scar them for life.

Before the rides...

After the rides, not a happy camper.

I told Etta we were going to see Mickey Mouse and she decided she wanted to stay. As we were walking over to Toontown we saw a Winnie the Pooh ride so we hoped on it. Etta loved that ride and pointed out all the characters she knew. Gibby still didn't like the quick movements and the darkness of the ride.

Etta finally enjoying a ride.

Sitting in front of Winnie the Pooh's Honey Pots.

We hopped off the ride and ran right into Tigger. Andy ran into the gift shop and bought an autograph book. Etta gave him a big hug. She thought it was so cool that he signed her book. I was glad she was starting to enjoy Disneyland better.

T-I -double Gah- ER

I said "Let's go find Mickey". Etta's little face just lite right up. It didn't matter if Mickey's line was an hour or two long, we would wait because I wanted her to see Mickey Mouse. We got to Mickey's house and we were really lucky we probably only waited 20 minutes at the most. Along the way through Mickey's house we took some fun little pictures of the animated looking household objects.

Etta was trying to open the closet, but than told us it was broken.

Relaxing on the coach?

She just loved Pluto's bed.

And finally... Mickey the Mouse!

We came out of the house with huge smiles on our faces. Etta immediately saw his car and climbed right into it. She told Daddy that Mickey drives this car. It was so cute.

Beep, Beep Etta's driving.

We noticed Minnie Mouse and headed towards her, just than the Cast member with Minnie said it was time for her to go get some water and cheese. She would be back out in about 15 minutes. We went in and played in her house for a few minutes. I love how everything looks so fun and animated.

Tea and cookies anyone?

Minnie sure loves cheese.

I am doing Minnie's Dishes for her.

Gibby thought the canisters were pretty nifty.

We were off to find more Characters. Pluto was the next one Daddy spotted. This was darling. She hugged him, kissed him,and touched his whiskers. He played with her like a playful little dog.

Big kisses for Pluto.

We took this one for Hatcher.

There was a Roger Rabbit ride that we both had never been on so we jumped in the line. It was a very deceiving line and we ended up waiting a long time, and it was not a fun ride either. A lot of the little rides seem to be the same just different pictures and themes along the way.
Since we kept missing Minnie we headed over to the princesses. They use to have them just walking around but now they have 3 of them at a time in the Princess Fantasy Faire. That line was one hour long. But worth every minute we waited. We took turns walking in the gift shop with Etta or around the area while the other one with Gibby stayed in line.

Etta was so excited to see the Princesses.

Gibby was wondering why in the world we would stand in line for a hour.

Etta laid down for a second and it was so cute.

Finally it was our turn. Etta walked in and there was princess Aurora. Etta went straight into her arms and then climbed in her lap. She was the best princess ever. She talked to Etta and held her. I was all tearing up with joy. It was so special to see how Etta's face was just glowing. It was just incredible as a parent to see such joy. Another big hug and it was off to see Pocahontas. Etta's arm got tangled in Pocahonta's hair which was funny to see Etta pulling it away from her. As Pocahonta's was signing her book, Mulan came over to change with her so Etta got an extra princess. They all loved Etta and just kept letting her hug them over and over again. The last Princess was Cinderella. She was really sweet and nice to. Etta and I took a picture with her because we were all princesses. It was fun to see how each Princess had her own way of signing the autograph book and writing in it to Princess Etta. No wonder the line was so long, they really took the time to make the girls feel like princesses. I would have waited 2 hours for such an amazing experience to see Etta with her princesses.

Princess Aurora, She was just wonderful with Etta.

Etta told her she saw Mickey and Pluto. She was just chatting and chatting.

They dress all the characters just perfect. Etta was in heaven.

A good hug for Mulan!

Two beautiful Princess smiles.

Mommy need to get in on the Princess action.

I wanted to try one more time to get Minnie Mouse. Off we went back to Toontown. We ran in to Goofy and squeezed our way into grab a quick picture and an autograph. Then we saw Minnie Mouse. We jumped in line and made it to her just before it was time for her to take another break. Etta would not let Minnie go. It was darling. Minnie was so good and just let Etta hold her for a minute or two. She blew Minnie a kiss and we were done with the characters now.

Big Hug!

She just kept Hugging,

and hugging,

and hugging!

A great big CHEESE!

On our way over to California Adventure we jumped into the Little Mermaids line and took a quick picture with her. She was not as friendly as the other princesses. But still fun to see.

They are talking about the bubbles in the air.

I had to lift Etta up, Ariel wouldn't/couldn't hold her.

We wanted to hit California Adventure just because we had a park hopper pass and wanted to get a little bit of that in. We went straight to the bugs life "a bug's land". It was a warm beautiful day and so Etta and I played in the water. Gibson slept for a while until some crazy kids started splashing, splashed on him and woke him up. We then jumped on Triton's Carousel with both kids and they both liked that ride.

Splashing through the sprinkler.

Ready, Mommy, here we go!

Etta was soaking wet, just precious.

We found this fountain that was pretty fun.

Daddy even cooled off a bit.

Daddy let me go on my favorite ride in California Adventure; Soarin' Over California. I went in the single rider line which is so quick and fast. I got to enjoyed my favorite ride.
We decide to get some dinner before heading back over to Disneyland to see the Disneyland Parade. As we were finishing up California Adventure was having their Parade and we stayed and watched. They had some fun floats with Buzz Lightyear, Monsters, and a few other new movies from Disney.

We left right after it to go get a good spot for the Disney Parade. On our way in we past Donald Duck. His line was to long and he was leaving for the parade soon. We just went to the side and took a few pictures of him behind us. I wanted his autograph for Etta's book so I ask a nice girl in line if she would have him sign it. It is so funny in the book there are small pictures at the bottom with Mickey on one side and Donald on the other. Well, Donald crossed off out Mickey and circled his picture. Very funny.

The best shot with Donald Duck.

Donald signing our book, thanks girl we didn't know.

We found a great little spot up front and sat back and rested a bit before the parade.
The parade was darling. All the fun Character's dancing around and singing. They do just a wonderful job on the floats, costumes and music. We were able to take a good picture of Snow White (Etta's favorite). Etta loved pointing out everything to Gibby. Gibby was just having the most wonderful time. He tried a few time to go after the characters.

Etta swapping shoes with Daddy.

We are so special, Thank you Daddy!

Gibby trying to escape and get to Winnie the Pooh and Tigger.

Cute picture of my little darlings.

Etta's little posing picture.

Now Gibson is trying to just get free.

Gibby look at Pluto.

Etta's Favorite- Snow White

We wanted to have Etta go on a few more rides and Gibby was falling asleep, it was the perfect time. We hit King Author's Carousel, the teapots (Etta loved those) and then woke up Gibby to go on the Dumbo ride.

They had so much fun together, Just Daddy and Etta.

Etta said they kept spinning and spinning.

Mommy and Etta flying over Disneyland in the pink Dumbo.

Flying together in their own Dumbo.

It was now Etta's turn to fall asleep while we waited for the fireworks. They were AMAZING! Etta was half asleep and didn't like the noise but Gibby just starred into the sky and they were just AWESOME! One of the best I have ever seen.

Gibby was glad he saw the fireworks, maybe next time sis.

We called it a night and headed out of the park. Everyone else in the park decided to do that to. So we walked around the Down Town Disney district for about an hour then jumped on the tram back to the car.

Everyone leaving at the same time, Buzz Lightyear has the right idea.

Andy and I hit In and Out Burger on the way home and arrived at Grandma's to find what?..... Our Suitcase, YEAH!

What a Perfect and Magical Day!