Originally Posted By MomluvsDisney Due to economic circumstances, I ended up only taking a one day tour to start my year at the parks. My Toddler DD and I drove the hour down the road to get to the park and managed to get there around 8am. Since the park opened at 10am, which allowed us time to have breakfast at Mimi's Cafe. We settled in and had a wonderful breakfast (I cannot recommend the Pain Perdue too highly. Talk about Yummy!♥♥) We climbed back into the car and made our way over to Disney Parking. My daughter was so excited; I could barely get her to settle into her stroller. We meandered over to the tram stop to wait our turn to climb aboard the "Fun express" (not my words, but it is what I overheard a man tell his young son as we were waiting). Before we knew it we were swept away and were disembarking at Downtown Disney. Once all items were settled and the baby girl was in her stroller, we set off for the ticket window. Now I have to say, I love how lenient the policy on food is by the cm at the security checkpoint. I had a Disney cooler backpack filled with water bottles, juice, snacks, fruit and uncrustables PB & J sandwiches. The gal checking glanced through it and the huge backpack filled with multiple changes of clothes for my daughter and waves us through. I pushed my DD over to the ticket booth and we waited maybe a minute before being directed to an open window. I had my printout with my enrollment for the birthday ticket and I told the gal at the window that I wanted to upgrade to an AP. So she issued the ticket, but I had to go to another window to take that ticket and upgrade to the pass. But even for that it went so smoothly and before I knew it, Sarah and I were heading into the park. She had her first visit button on and I had a birthday button on, which we were given at the ticket booth (no waiting on Main Street). I went to have my picture taken for the pass and while we were waiting for that, along came Mickey, then Minnie, then Goofy, and then Donald. My daughter had a no wait visit with each of these characters while we were waiting to take my picture and get my AP! What a GREAT start to the day. So I finished with the bank and headed on down Main Street. By this time, the park had officially opened. I headed us toward the castle, stopping along the way to take a picture of my daughter with the Statue of Walt and Mickey with the castle in the background. We headed through the castle into Fantasyland (the best place to start with a toddler I think). The first ride that caught my eye was snow white, so I took her on that one first. She rode it like a trooper, but looked a little shell shocked when we exited. I headed over to Dumbo with her. Shortest wait I have ever seen for this ride. It took less then 5 minutes to get on the ride. She loved it!!! (Go figure). So we hit the bathroom then took a ride on the Carousel, Mr. Toad's, the Tea cups, and Alice in wonderland. The only one in that bunch that she wasn’t sure about was Mr Toad's. We then walked over and took in It's a Small World. I don't mind the additional characters except the Woody and his gal pal. They seemed to stick out the most. As for my Toddler? Well, I think the jury is still out on that ride. I think it was sensory overload for her. Now keep in mind that the Park opened at 10am and it was 11:30! My daughter spilled her water all over herself, so we headed back to the locker and got her changed. Then we headed over to the Tiki Room (of course we had the dole whip!!). She loved the Tiki room! Then we wondered over to Adventureland and rode the Jungle Cruise. Another Winner! From there we rode POTC and then went to the Haunted Mansion. So far so good, and no more of a wait the ten minutes for anything. So we get to the Haunted Mansion and almost walk right on. We do the whole thing and my little trooper went through it all. As we exit the ride, I turned to her and asked if she wanted to ride again. MY daughter says yes, so off we go and do it again. The second time, she comes out with a smile and says again. We do it four times in a row and practically walked on it each time. I took her back through Adventureland, and we stop for a bite at the Bengal Bar-B-Que. We got Bengal Beef Skewers and the Safari Skewers and she loved them both. I remember reading the folks weren’t that happy with them, but they were cooking them over fire right there and they tasted wonderful and fresh! We headed over to Tomorrowland and rode the rockets. Sarah is too small for Star tours or Space Mountain, but we did go on what is probably her favorite ride in the park to date. The Buzz Lightyear ride! We rode that one five times in a row again almost walking right on to it each time. It started getting a little cold at this point, so I headed us back over to the locker to pick up our jackets then headed to the train. We took the train around the whole park then exited at Toon Town. We walked under the bridge and went to ride the Roger Rabbit ride. She loved whiling around the ride. We went and visited with Mickey and Minnie and checked out the bounce house. She loved playing in the "shops" and all the fun stuff Toon Town has. Once done, we found ourselves back in FantasyLand. There we rode the Casey train, Pinocchio, and then all the rest of the rides we did that morning. We headed back over and rode POTC once more, but it was starting to get busy with people waiting for Fantasmic. So we took the train back to Tomorrowland and rode Buzz Lightyear twice more. Then it was one more ride on the Carousel. We headed back up to Main Street for some Cocoa and sleep time (she had worn herself out) while we headed back to the trams for the car. We made a stop at Denny's for a hot meal, and then headed home. There is more we can do in the parks, but I have an AP now and she is free for a good long time. I am heading back on Sunday for some more fun. I expect I will be there a lot over the next year. The look on her face makes it all worth while!
Originally Posted By avro_imagineer Yeah you had fun with your family, but think of how many non-Disneyland birthdays you've celebrated. I woulda done a Denny's Mimi as well. As much as I love the BB.
Originally Posted By avro_imagineer This one for me will be before my park fix, That's life I guess. So your park fix is going to be a regular fixture in your life now... The gift that keeps on giving. Of course I'm so old now I don't even buy myself birthday cakes or celebrate in any form.
Originally Posted By MomluvsDisney avro_imagineer-to old?? OMG can one be too old???? MMMMMM...How old is too old?
Originally Posted By MomluvsDisney ok....mm..curiosity is getting the better of me...how old is too old now?
Originally Posted By avro_imagineer Anything over 19 (He got his motor vehicle G1 restricted learning operating licence this year if that helps) Uh FYI today I'm warmer then Los Angeles, So I guess I can forgive you for being cold.
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS <So we get to the Haunted Mansion and almost walk right on. We do the whole thing and my little trooper went through it all. As we exit the ride, I turned to her and asked if she wanted to ride again. MY daughter says yes, so off we go and do it again. The second time, she comes out with a smile and says again. We do it four times in a row and practically walked on it each time.> Awesome. Another little Haunt in the making!
Originally Posted By MomluvsDisney LOL- my youngest sibling is 23, so I can understand your postition.. Oh no, Have I been cold?? Old maybe but cold??? Just kidding...although I think I am a tad or two older then you and I don't think there is anything wrong with celebrating your birthday if you choose...To me celebrating Birthdays is celebrating Life...~~grin~~ But then again, I could be delusional...I am woman and I am confused? LOL
Originally Posted By MomluvsDisney 999HAUNTS-yes I am converting them one visit at a time..mhah ha ha ha....
Originally Posted By EmmaJayne Wow.. all the chracters right at thre start of the day must have been amazing for you both.. I woud love to see Fantasyland with a small child.. I think it would seem even more magical. It sounds like you had a fantastiv birthday at the park.. but times on HM... I just couldn't!
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 What a fantastic day! A new AP, low crowds, multiple rides on some of my personal favs and a dole whip! I'm so happy for you that your daughter loves Disneyland as much as you do
Originally Posted By MomluvsDisney EmmaJayne-It certainly reignited all the magical capabilities of the park. Through all the discussions of the changed that are viewed bad, it is amazing to visit with a youn child who sees it as new and magical! amazedncal2-I was hoping it would be the case, but one never knows! But having since gone again, she is hooked I think~~mwah ha ha..lol
Originally Posted By disneylandfan8 I think this should go on record as a perfect day at the park! Thank you for the trip reports, MomluvsDisney! ♥
Originally Posted By SoThisIsLove What a neat, neat report. Congratulations on what seems to be an absolutely perfect day! xoxo
