OK, so Friday the 13th was the best day ever! I am still smiling ear to ear (no pun intended…get it…mouse ears). We went to Disneyland and it was great. I am happy to say that whatever attendance pattern tracking system Jay found was accurate. The crowds were doable. We literally walked on to many rides the first couple hours we were there and figured that we did 3X as much as we did last year when we went! It was wonderful!

Every time I visit D-land, I wonder…HOW does that place run? What goes on behind the scenes? How do they staff the place? There is someone assigned to sweeping up popcorn the minute it hits the ground, someone to assist you with getting your stroller out from the back of the sea of Gracos, Maclarens, Pegs & Bugaboos (gasp! why would you ever take your Bugaboo to D-land?), someone to watch over the characters while they are being mobbed by kid fans (oh and adult fans – will talk about THAT in a minute)…my point is, I am intrigued with the inner workings of the 8th wonder of the world known as Disneyland. It truly fascinates me.

OK, so please shoot me if, in 15-20 years, Jay and I are at Disneyland by ourselves and I have a lanyard with all the Disney character pins around my neck and am waiting in line for Pixie Hollow to take my pic with Tink and THEN complain after I see Tink and Silver Mist that, “We waited in line for 20 minutes for THAT?” Seriously. I witnessed this yesterday. Don’t get me wrong, I love D-land just like the next person, but….c’mon. Just sayin’.

Also, a lot has changed since when I went as a kid. Remember the days when you just parked and walked to the front gate – no biggie? Well, now that Downtown Disney and California Adventure are there, there’s no more normal “old skool” parking lot. Now they have all these off-site lots and a whole shuttle bus scenario to go through so it takes 30+ minutes just to get into and out of the park to your car! Geez, how times have changed.

But, the magic of Mickey and his pals is still alive and well, of course. That will never change which is a good thing. Jay was going to get us season tickets, but then his little Jeep needed some TLC and $800 later, there went our season passes. But, you know what, I’m totally OK with that. I don’t think I want the pressure of a season pass. I want to keep D-land special and “new” and I think an annual trip will do us just fine.

Here are two of my favorite pics of the day.

On the good ‘ol old-fashioned carousel.

They’re right…it really IS the Happiest Place on Earth!

Until next year…