Welcome to Disneyland California

April 25 2012- Disneyland

Anaheim, California

Disneyland is seriously the happiest place on Earth! I swear, as soon as we rolled down the escalators from the themed parking lot and hopped onto the tram that shuttled us to Downtown Disney, everyone was smiling from ear to ear! All Disney employees are super enthusiastic and friendly.

I recommend getting to the theme park early, and buying the 1 day park hopper ticket (visit both, Disneyland and California Adventure parks). It is a few dollars more, and TOTALLY worth it! We were there from 10 am until closing, at 9 pm. 

Main Street, USA. 

"The gateway to Disneyland Park," sets the atmosphere for the theme park. Main Street is aligned with plenty stores, where you can pick up gifts for yourself, and of course, souvenirs for your family and friends. There are also a few spots along Main Street where you can dine. Oh, and you can't forget about all the sweet carts that have munchies and drinks while you stroll through. 

And, did ya know that Walt Disney's apartment is on Main Street? So cool!

Above: Gabriel and I in the foreground, Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse in the middleground, and Sleeping Beauty's Castle in the background.

Above: Fantasyland.

Fantasyland, is where you can find all of your favorite Disney Princesses, but unfortunately, I didn't see any! Apparently, you can book a lunch date with all of the Princesses months in advance, for an extra cost. I'd like to do this later on in life, with my daughter, if I am blessed to have one.

Fantasyland, has spots for shopping and dinning, like the rest of the Disneyland grounds.

Above: Tomorrowland

Jedi Training Academy, was one of my favorite entertainment acts in Tomorrowland. It was super cool, seeing so many kids enthusiastically "training to become Jedi's." At the beginning, the Jedi that was leading the class, informed all adults in the audience, that we weren't going to be able to participate, doh! I was really hoping that I could train too, ahaha, yes, I admit it; I am a Star Wars fan.

We had lunch at the Tomorrowland Terrace, which gave us a perfect view of the Jedi Training Academy. By the way, I was very pleased with the food from Tomorrowland Terrace! :) 

Above: Mickey's Toontown

Mickey's Toontown is so much fun, it's like being thrown into a Mickey and Friend's episode. In Mickey's Toontown, you can wander into the homes of Mickey, Minnie, and the rest of the clan. I was surprised that Mickey and Minnie had separate homes, I thought they were married? LOL, seriously.

I really wanted to eat at Daisy's Diner, but I was too full from our lunch at the Tomorrowland Terrace.

Above: New Orleans Square

I haven't been to New Orleans in a very long time, and walking down the French Quarter in New Orleans Square in Disneyland, brought back many pleasant memories from my adolescence with family.

I really enjoyed all the Disney musicians who played jazz as the strolled down the streets of New Orleans Square, it really made the atmosphere that much more believable. It really took me back to New Orleans.

Next time we visit Disneyland, we want to eat at the Blue Bayou Restaurant!

Above: Critter Country

The awesome thing about Disneyland is that each of its "zones" are able to transmit you into completely different times and places. Critter Country was cute, with it's rustic buildings, waterfalls and of course, adorable critters, including Winnie the Pooh. It really felt like I was in the woods!

Above: Frontierland

It was fun being taken back to the Wild Wild West in Frontierland. I really felt like I was in an old Western flick, and loved every minute of it. I think this is where we saw Woody, from Toy Story! And the only ride that we went on in Frontierland, is the one pictured above, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Adventureland

Unfortunately, we have no photos of Adventureland,  we do however have plenty of video! :) I know I totally missed out on the Dole whipped sorbet treat that is exclusive to this region of Disneyland, so it is on our list for next time! I believe that the only ride we went on in Adventureland, was the Indiana Jones Adventure, which was a ton of fun.