Originally Posted By Princess Gabi Friday the 23rd was a really special day for me because I went to Disneyland for the first time with just my dad. We usually don't get to spend much time together as I have school and extracurriculars and he is a lawyer and isn't home much, but he took off Friday so we could go together! I was so excited. We started off the day with a nice breakfast at Carnation Cafe. He was startled at how good the food was, but I assured him that wasn't even the half of it heehee. Before the crowds hit we rode Indy, and he said "Wow...I don't remember it being that jerky..." After that was Pirates of the Caribbean, which made him act like a 10 year old boy, splashing water and laughing at the pirates. He thoroughly enjoyed the Haunted Mansion Holiday, because he didn't even know it had a NBC overlay! He was so confused when the elevator spiel was different and Jack appeared in the ceiling. Splash Mountain was just as fun, though he looked about ready to puke in our photo because he isn't very fond of drops. After hitting BTMRR, we went to Fantasyland, but by now the crowds were setting in so we rode Mr. Toad (his childhood favorite) and dashed out of there. We saw Cinderella and he told me to take a picture with her (gosh I have millions...heehee) but instead I made him take a picture with her, which was pretty hysterical. Next was lunch, and although the line for gumbo was ridiculously long, it was very very worth it in the cold weather. My dad was astonished at how good the gumbo and fritters were. I think when he would take me when my brother and I were younger we'd just get burgers so he had never really experienced real Disneyland food. Next, I dragged a reluctant dad up to the Gallery. He wanted to go on rides, but once we got up there he got very excited and kept pointing out things to me and smiling. We stayed up there for a good half hour, and once I pointed out that beyond those white doors was the infamous Club 33, he kept trying to peek in, though he was unsuccessful. After shopping around New Orleans Square and Main Street a little, we hit Tomorrowland to ride Buzz Lightyear, since he'd never been on it. I was beating him the entire time, but when we got to the last room he hit a lit diamond and doubled his score and ended up beating me! He wouldn't stop teasing me about it the rest of the day haha. Space Mountain had a 110 minute wait, and the fastpasses were for much too late in the day, so we rode Star Tours and the Matterhorn, bought my brother a few presents in Star Trader, caught the Parade of Dreams, and watched The First 50 Magical Years. He was too tired to enjoy the beautiful displays they've got inside the waiting room, but he enjoyed the movie. We had to leave early because we both had engagements to go to (sad!) so I bought my dad some Gibson Girl ice cream, which he ate in a frenzy as it was so good, and bought my mom a pressed penny which is sort of my little tradition, and we hit Downtown Disney. We went into Department 56, which was so fun because my dad and I collect the Dickens Village series of those, so we got to admire the wonderful displays. After a bittersweet tram ride back to the car, my dad thanked me for showing him the "real" Disneyland, and for not dragging him into the Tiki Room as he can't stand it for some reason haha. That was probably one of my best trips to Disneyland ever, though it was short. It's a shame my dad and I don't get too much quality time together, but this is definitely going in his mental scrapbook!
Originally Posted By chickendumpling Ohhhh! What a great report Princess Gabi. It sounds like you guys had a really special, really memorable time. I'm sure he'll always treasure his special Daddy-Gabi day at the park. Maybe when you get your pictures back you could print out this trip report and put a little scrapbook together that he could keep at his desk in his office. I'm sure he'd treasure it. Thanks for sharing about your special day.
Originally Posted By fantasykeeper I really enjoyed the report, Princess Gabi....I know that your dad had a terrific time and you can be sure that he talks of this trip at the office. I wish I had the chance to do the same thing with my dad...but I always share the Disney fun with my husband and grown kids.....We just can't get enough of that Disney Magic!
Originally Posted By 4Disnee Princess Gabi, I am so happy for you. What a wonderful day with your dad. I wish that I could also have a day like that. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful time. :0)
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 What a nice report I'm glad that you had such a fun time together and got to show him the "real" Disneyland Maybe a new disneyaholic in the making?
Originally Posted By Princess Gabi Well, since then Dad has mentioned getting himself a pass. We have season tickets to see the Anaheim Angels because we are hardcore fans, so he's suggesting he gets a pass and we can go for a few hours before the games every now and then. So there should be many more trips to come, although this one was the most special by far. I'm glad I got to experience it with him, since we don't get much time together.
