Our final day offered the most anxiously awaited excursion, and by 9:45am, we were gliding into our parking spot in Lot Woody at Disneyland. I felt like skipping into the park, I was so excited! I’d been once before, but over at least 12 years back. We hurried through the entrance, and the first thing I set my eyes on was MICKEY. He had a line to his left for those as eager as I who wanted a picture. I jumped right in, oddly nervous.
“Sorry. Mickey’s line is closed,” the indignant woman in wayfarers barked at me.
“Oh. Ok. Umm… well in that case… well, there are more than one Mickeys in the park today, right?” I was fumbling over my words.
Pause. Glare. Shock. Horror.
“No. There is only one… Mickey.”
“Oh,” I muttered. “That doesn’t seem that efficient for such a big park. Thanks anyway.”
One Disney celebrity sighting down, but no interaction to boot. We rounded the corner to come upon Minnie standing 10 feet in front of us. After one failed encounter, I was determined to go talk to her and to hopefully get a photo. I started in her direction, but just as I took one step, she took two. Within seconds, she started hauling ass, and as she navigated through the crowd and into a cartoon alleyway. I lost her. Confusion. WHAT THE HECK!? Two key Disney players down, neither of which seemed to want to talk to me, or anyone else for that matter.
Onward. We made a ninja dash for Space Mountain, and after seemingly no wait time, found ourselves strapped in and ready for our intergalactic adventure. Had we not been in the pitch black, evidence would have described my likeness to nothing other than a Basset Hound with its head out the window, lips flapping and bearing a dopey perma-smile. It was unbelievable! If this is the wonder and excitement children felt, well… it’s no wonder this is the Happiest Place on Earth.
We visited Fantasyland next, and caught a fleeting glimpse of Snow White. I was going to get a picture with this broad if it was the last thing I did. Lizzy and I practically tripped over each other trying to catch her, but again to no avail. She scurried across a fantasy bridge and ducked into her castle untouched. The sign read “Snow White and Seven Dwarfs ONLY.” Now, this was starting to get silly. Three big-time Disney sightings, and not a single one I could catch. I’m quick on my feet – hell, I just ran a half marathon – but it was no use. I hit up the nearest gift shop to purchase Minnie ears for the day and rid myself of the temporary disappointment I was feeling.
Game time. If these bastards aren’t going to interact with me, I’m going to ride every ride I’d hoped for. We explored Toontown, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, It’s a Small World, Indiana Jones, Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Teacups, the Swiss Family Robinson’s Tree house, Big Thunder, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Toy Story Ride. Most reminiscent, I found, was the Swiss Family Robinson Tree house. And of course, my all time favorite, the wonder of “It’s a Small World.”
We departed chilly, but more than happy, and with the assurance that while having consumed popcorn, pretzels and gumbo, we hoofed it across the majority of the park for the better part of nine hours.
LA – I can’t seem to let go of our love-hate relationship, and maybe I never will. Story of my life.
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