Thanksgiving, Part 2: DiSnEY!

I am a perfect example of why Disney makes so much money.

I am pretty sure that when the bigwigs at Disney sit around their boardroom table (shaped like Mickey Mouse, of course) and muse over how they can manipulate more money out of Disney-holics, diehard fans, and your average-everyday-sap,

they have my picture

on a slideshow presentation

with a big red arrow

proclaiming: "TARGET AUDIENCE."

More than 99.9% sure, guys.

Because, unfortunately, it is all too true.

I would pay a lot for a moment of Disney Magic.

I got a little teary during the World of Color.

I got goosebumps during the fireworks.

I had a big, idiot grin on my face through the entire parade.

I wait in 90 minute-long lines for a 5 minute Peter Pan ride.

I am more excited to see the characters around the park than most children are.

I fly elephants and spend 15 minutes listening to "It's a Small World" because that's just what you do at Disneyland.

I giggled all the way through the Jungle Cruise guide's puns.

I believe in the Disney Spirit.

That means no being grouchy or cynical while at The Happiest Place on Earth.

I love the giant, swirly, colored lollipops (that you don't ever really eat, because 1: they're not always that tasty & 2: how could you possibly find all the time required to down those suckers??)

If I had my way, I'd buy every Disney character hot chocolate mug.

I'd watch the fireworks every single night.

I'd eat about a billion churros everyday.

A million Mickey Mouse-shaped pretzels.

And I would most definitely buy several balloon-within-a-balloon balloons every day.

In other words?

Best. Thanksgiving. Ever.

Thanksgiving break.
In Disneyland.
With my family.
And my mom's sister's family.

It was the first time The Littles (after the gap siblings) had ever been to Disneyland.
It was the first time any of my cousins had ever been to Disneyland.

It was so fun to watch them all experience it for the first time.

<SAP ALERT>
I don't care who you are, your first visit to Disneyland, especially as a kid, is magical.

(I did warn you.)

I'm amazed by those kids sometimes.
I watched my 5 year old brother and 7 year old sister ride not only things like Space Mountain, but also things like the Tower of Terror

And the roller coaster, California Screamin'

Yeah. It goes really fast. And loops.

Not only did they brave these terrors that I never would have dreamed of attempting until I was at least 15, they LIKED them. A lot.
Their favorite ride of the whole trip?
California Screamin'.
I'm tellin' ya, this next generation.....

A few highlights of the trip?
The opening of Pirates of the Caribbean on Thanksgiving Day--it had been closed since Labor Day for remodeling. THANKSGIVING PRESENT, anyone? :)
The ride attendant who asked us if we wanted to ride Matterhorn twice IN A ROW for absolutely no reason.
NOT having anyone throw up after the Teacups.
Actually hearing the kids' minds explode continually.
The Toy Story Mania ride in California Adventure.

So. Fun.

Probably one of the best rides we did.

Do you know one of the best ways to add a little more magic to Disneyland?

Add a little Christmas :)

I have never experienced Disney during the holiday season, but taking into account how big of a sap I am, is it any surprise how much I love it??

Everything was decorated...

The characters were all dressed in their holiday best..

Christmas songs were playing over the speakers..

Love.

Taken just after the fireworks.

I don't know. I love this picture. There's just something about big crowds and Christmas lights...

They had some pretty awesome T-Shirts

And of course, when in Disneyland, trying on hats is an absolute must.

 

 

"I'm a Wizard-Pirate!!"

   

 

    

I'm all about the sentimental.

(Duh.)

I like thrill rides.

I'll ride haunted elevators.

I'll scream my way through space.

I'll adventure with Indy,

and yell at yetis.

But I love the sentimental stuff even more.

That's what Disneyland is about for me.

It's about flying Dumbo

and walking through the castle.

It's meeting Mickey and posing with princesses.

'Finding Nemo' and 'Winnie the Pooh'

It's the "World of Color"

And fireworks

And the best parts of the parade:

But, hands-down, my absolute favorite place in the whole Disneyland/California Adventure complex is here

If you're looking for it,

in the Hollywood section of California Adventure,

you can find the the Animation Studios building.

The main room is huge, with lowered lights,

and movie screens of different sizes stretched from wall to wall,

playing clips from all the best Disney movies.

But don't be sucked in-- for too long ;) --because if you find your way downstairs,

and pass through the Sorcerer's Workshop,

you can find this

The Beast's Library.

It's a small room.

Too many people in there, and it can feel kind of crowded.

But it can also feel...

comfortable.

(Do I even need to give SAP ALERTs anymore?

I mean,

we're on the same page

..right?)

There are big, open book-screens where you can find your true Disney persona.

A fireplace, with the rose and the painting above it.

And the music, that changes from sad and lonely

to Happily Ever After-y

And with the music changes the lights, rose, and portrait.

It's all about sentimentality, people.

The Disney Spirit.

Because, honestly?

If you lose the Disney Spirit, you start remembering that you've been up since 7am.

After spending 16 hours in the park the day before.

And going to bed around 2am.

That you're standing in a 50 minute line for a 7 minute ride.

That you just got shoved into a sweaty park-goer by another sweaty Disney-enthusiast.

You start wishing you could go back to the numb-feet phase,

cuz right now they hurt so bad you'd give ol' Mickey himself a good knuckle-sandwich

just for a shady spot of sidewalk to collapse on.

The Disney Spirit, y'all.

It works miracles.

Cuz if you fully immerse yourself in it,

you can run 16-hour days,

trekking hundreds of miles around a packed theme park.

You can forget your feet for a while.

(that's a blessing sometimes, trust me)

You can trick your migraine-warped brain into having fun by watching a bunch of young Jedis defeat Darth Vader AND Darth Maul.

You can even have fun while standing in a 50-minute line.

Up your dose of Spirit just a bit, and you can find magic and sentimental goosebumps all over.

In the post-firework snow that smells like pumpkin pie.

In the belly of a submarine as you explore Nemo's world.

As you stroll the California Adventure "boardwalk" after dark.

When seeing Mickey and the Gang in REAL LIFE!!!

Three days spent in the Happiest Place on Earth.

Three days of laughing

and screaming;

some crying,

a few stumbles,

a couple of headaches,

bruised feet,

pictures,

and smiles.

How was your Thanksgiving? :)

Phew.

I think I actually depleted my sap-supply.

Better go watch Beauty & the Beast, quick!