the happiest place on earth

last thursday, ryan told me we were headed south for the weekend, specifically to disneyland! i nearly died. seriously. we drove through the night, arriving at this magical place just after they opened. i could hardly contain my excitement. weird, because i don't watch the movies over and over, have a disney bumper sticker on my car, nor do i collect disney figurines. i just love this place. i don't know if it will ever lose it's lustre, nor am i sure that i will ever understand what exactly it is about this place that makes me so very, very happy...but i know i am not alone.

sleeping beauty's castle was the first stop-it was nice to realize that there was something, some ride or attraction that i had yet to experience, especially since aurora was my favorite princess when i was a girl. we weaved through the stone staircases, reading all about malificent, aurora and her prince...

second stop: lunch. i would be lying if i said that a large part of disneyland's appeal this time was the food. years ago i ate the chicken fusili pasta at the pizza port and i haven't forgotten about it since.

it did not disappoint.

peter pan's flight may have been my favorite this time. i squealed and giggled the entire time. so did ryan. but i think he was laughing at me.


the majestic matterhorn.


it was our first time on nemo's submarine. it was alright.


did i mention it was over eighty degrees that day? it was heavenly...


buzz lightyear's astro blasters was a real blast...



...clearly. check out those scores! it was some stiff competition.



tarzan's treehouse is another favorite. i would love to have this beauty in my backyard for the occasional campout.









ryan's favorite: the haunted mansion!


main street. it gives me goosebumps every time.



oh boy-my worst nightmare!



we headed back to the hotel in the afternoon to rest our feet and get some warmer clothes. i love hotels. especially hotels with robes.

our night in disneyland ended with clam chowder in a bread bowl, fireworks, the teacups, and a second trip on pirates of the caribbean. it felt complete, but there was still a piece missing...

the entire day we had been searching for an elusive cookie, one that can only be found in disneyland. one that ryan had a couple of years ago and never forgot. finally, on our last trip down main street, i suddenly desired hot cocoa and and there in a glass case inside the coffee shop was the very cookie we had been searching for. we bought three. and some milk. ryan was tickled.

and then we hopped on the train and rode around the park at closing time eating and drinking our chocolate treats.

it was such a perfect way to end one of the happiest days.