M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!!!
"It all started with a mouse."
Everything there is about the mouse!!! Everywhere you look in the park the famous mouse ear symbol is on napkins, signs, food in the shape of and anything else you can think of, much to Enzo and every other kid's delight!! Everything about the day was magical, just as it should be!! The hard working cast members, as they are called, go to great lengths to make sure they have thought of everything to make your day perfect! I had prayed for decent weather and mother nature obliged just a little too much with 100+ degree weather!! We were only able to see half the park as it is a lot to squeeze into one day with a toddler. Our day began with a character breakfast. All of us, Enzo, Francesco, Auntie Kimmy and I, enjoyed a delicious meal and had a variety of characters visit our table! We saw Minnie Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Captain Hook, and quite a few others. Enzo was a little scared of them but was able to hand them his autograph book and would take a picture with them if Francesco or I would hold him. After the breakfast we started toward Tomorrowland and stumbled upon the Disneyland Band accompanied by Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, Pinocchio, Chip 'n' Dale and Goofy!! We were sooo excited for Enzo to finally see Mickey in person and got him a spot right in front to view the performance!! He was very excited and enjoyed it a lot. After that we headed to the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage which is a ride that goes on an adventure to find Nemo of course!! Enzo and Francesco went on Autotopia next and Enzo got to drive, which he was super excited about!! He got his very own driver's license complete with a picture. He ran to me after getting out of the ride and told me he drove and turned left and right!! Next we headed to Fantasyland and went on "it's a small world". It has been completely overhauled since I was there last and now it is much more colorful and includes characters from movies in the appropriate countries. After that we headed to a ride we knew Enzo would love...Dumbo the Flying Elephant. For this one Auntie Kimmy joined Enzo and I and we had a blast. Enzo quickly got the hang of the lever that made you go up and down. Kimmy and I were laughing hysterically at our Dumbo going up and down in a fashion only a toddler could be in control of!! He was laughing the whole time and had a huge smile on his face too!! Our next ride was Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and again he really loved it. Pinocchio's Daring Journey was next and having just seen the movie he got excited to see the characters in person. Then we went on Peter Pan's Flight and soared high in the sky! We took a break for lunch and also to cool off and rehydrate!! Then we headed to Mickey's Toontown!! There we met Mickey in person and had Enzo's book signed and a picture taken. While we were there we got Enzo his first pair of Mouse Ears!! The only thing our little boy will ever have his name on since Enzo isn't on any key chains, mugs, etc.!! He wore them proudly!! He has been wearing Francesco's around the house (and once to the store) and has been looking forward to his very own pair for so long now!! We were also able to meet with Goofy and Pluto! We ended our time in Toontown with a spin(literally!!) on Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin. As soon as Enzo got in the stroller he fell fast asleep so Francesco and I were able to squeeze in a ride on Space Mountain thanks to Auntie Kimmy who offered to watch Enzo. On Francesco's first trip to Disneyland the ride was under construction so we were both anxious to ride it!! We both loved it so much!! It was much improved and lots of fun!! We headed to Main Street, U.S.A. and Auntie Kimmy called it quits and headed home! (she was a major trooper with it being so hot and 8 months pregnant!!) We were able to get a spot to view the newest parade "Celebrate! A Street Party". It is several floats with characters aboard as well as dancers in between. It comes down the street and parks for the whole performance. Enzo loved it but was again a little scared of all the action and characters. We were able to see some that we had not been able to see earlier in the day like Daisy Duck, Woody from Toy Story, Peter Pan and Tinkerbell. The theme of the parade was all about what reason we all were there celebrating...birthdays, anniversaries, first visits or just family and friends. It was a lot of fun and Enzo and I even got pulled onto the street to join the dancers!! It was dark when the parade ended so we headed to New Orleans Square for some dinner and also went on the Pirates of the Caribbean. In hindsight we probably should not have taken Enzo but we thought we could cover his eyes if the pirates scared him...well the ride is on a boat and goes down two drops in the pitch black and that's what scared him not the pirates!! We asked Enzo what he would like to do for his last ride and he chose the Dumbo ride. This time he didn't like the up and down because it felt like he was dropping like the pirates ride so Dumbo didn't fly so much as skim the ground!! Now when we ask him what his favorite ride was he tells us "Orange Dumbo that goes up down not blue Dumbo." Orange being the color he rode first!! All of us ended our visit with big smiles on our faces-us for seeing the joy on our son's face and Enzo for visiting the magical place where Mickey Mouse lives!! It is most definitely "The Happiest Place on Earth!!"
Getting Pooh Bear's autograph!!
Posing with Minnie Mouse!!
Auntie Kimmy, Tigger, Enzo and I.
Getting a squeeze from Eeyore!!
Disneyland Band with Mickey and friends!!
Enzo driving in Autotopia!! Look out!!
Enzo testing his strength!!
Finally...meeting Mickey in person!!
Driving Mickey's car.
Enzo and Dada being silly while mouse ears were being sewn!!
Ta-da!!! His very first pair!!!
Meeting Goofy!!
Mousin' around in Toontown!!
Meeting with Pluto!
I will be adding some videos as Francesco edits them down!! My Dad graciously lent us his HD video camera and the files are HUGE!!! Thank you Papa!! (Enzo's new name for my Dad! He now calls my Mom, Bamma!!)
