Disneyland - Taylor and Mama

While Ken packed clothes and everything else we thought we would need for Big Bear, Taylor and I headed down to Disneyland for the day.   We left VERY early in the morning - and for those of you who know me, I am SO not a morning person.  Taylor laughed for a long time about my love of coffee.  As I took my first sip after leaving the Starbucks drive through window, I thoroughly lost myself for a moment, "Ahhhhh, the first blessed sip of coffee.  Oh, the sweet nectar of the gods."  Taylor brought that up all day and laughed.  


Taylor and I arrived right at 8 am, opening of the Park. We started at Disneyland because Taylor wanted to have Pirates of the Caribbean be the first ride.  It was raining when we arrived, so there was hardly anyone there for a Sunday.  

As we went into the main square, we saw the characters come out, and Taylor wanted her pictures taken with everyone.  You'll see a pattern to how we took the pictures.  ;)

Once we were done with the photo op, we headed over to Pirates of the Caribbean and got right on the ride.  I had Taylor map out what she wanted to ride and what she wanted to do while we were here.  

So, Pirates led the way followed by Haunted Mansion.  Taylor really wanted to ride the train, so we did.  She felt "bad" that she was "wasting" time at the Park, so I had to keep reminding her that Grandpa Koehler bought us annual passes, so there is no more "wasting" time - we can come as often as we like and enjoy ourselves.  


We enjoyed our train ride over to Tomorrowland and we headed straight for Space Mountain.  Taylor could not contain her excitement, but she hated spending so much time in a line.  The longest line we stood in all day was 40 minutes.  Not too bad considering that we didn't have Ken and his "gimpy" pass.  

In line for Space Mountain

Taylor wanted to go back on Space Mountain, but there was so much else she wanted to do.  We took the time to see Captain Eo.  I had a hard time believing that Taylor is 2 years younger than I was when I first saw this movie at Disneyland in 1986.  

Taylor loved Autopia and the Matterhorn.  I enjoyed watching her have such a great time.

As we were on our way to go to California Adventure, we saw Cruella De Ville Pluto  as well as Gepetto.  I absolutely loved that the woman who played Cruella was completely in character.  She walked around with the attitude, she talked with the attitude and she had no problem yelling at people and talking "sassy."  She scared one little girl so bad that the girl wouldn't take a picture with her, but she did manage to convince the girl she promised Mickey she would behave that day, and the little girl bought it and took a picture with her.  Totally cute!

She was so awesome!  Loved that she was completely in character!

And so we walked over to California Adventure Land....

Taylor convinced me to go on the Tower of Terror with her.  Needless to say, I almost needed a change of britches for myself.  I had no idea what to expect, and it scared the daylights out of me.  

Notice the look of absolute terror on my face.  At this time, I was saying, "Oh HELL no!"

We had a great time - we made it on California Screaming and then Soaring over California before we left to go home.  I was completely exhausted, but Taylor couldn't stop talking about how great the day was.  Not only did she have Mama to herself, but she was at the Happiest Place on Earth.  Awesome!


I did manage to get one more picture together before we left the park.  I can't get enough of pictures.