Disney Dreams

So... as mentioned in a previous post, my friend and I went to Disneyland the day before I left California to head back home. It was a birthday gift to me from her and her amazing parents because I had never been to either Disneyland or Disneyworld. It was one of those things when I was a little kid, that all of my friends and classmates were experiencing, but my family just couldn't swing. It was always out of reach for us as a family. So... I have now been to Disneyland!! I kid you not when I say that I could not sleep for... possibly the two or three nights leading up to said momentous event. We drove down the night before and stayed in a hotel right across from the park. And we got up bright and early the next day to be there right when they opened the gates!

 Ever been so excited to go somewhere that you were even excited to just be in the hotel NEAR your destination? That was me. The above shot as taken after I ran and jumped on the hotel bed.

 Ever been so excited to be somewhere that you deem it neccassary to take a photo of a sign in the parking lot? Err... me neither...

 Don't judge.

 Jack! 

(One of the MANY characters I had my picture taken with. And yes, I was mostly waiting with 5 year olds for such photo ops)

 My friend bought sequined Minnie Mouse ears for me!

 We went to Blue Bayou (a restaurant INSIDE the Pirates of The Caribbean ride) for my Birthday lunch. And... they gave me a Birthday pin!

 I'm terrified of heights, and free-falling is something I hate. My friend made me go on Tower of Terror for her as she is pregnant and couldn't go. It's one of her favorites. I may or may not have held the hand of a complete stranger who may or may not have happened to be approximately 10 years my junior.

 It's A Small World... Holiday style.

 A bit out of order, but here we are at my Birthday lunch at Blue Bayou. Delicious stuff! Lovely setting!

 Do you think it's cheesy that I took this photo?

 Santa at Disneyland! I kid you not, I thought my head was going to explode!

 Once I was wearing that Birthday pin, no one could turn me down for photos. And... EVERYONE was wishing me a happy birthday. It was gloriously awkward.

 MICKEY MOUSE! I hate to brag, but he gave me several kisses.

Beautiful Downtown Disney, complete with decked halls. They do it up right at Disneyland. They don't mess around.