L.A., baby: part 2

...And then it was the big day! We got up early and ate a big breakfast and drove to Disneyland just in time to arrive at the main gate at 9:00 sharp. Thankfully it really isn't too crowded this time of year, so we breezed past the ticket window and took our places in the crowd on Main Street, awaiting the announcement that the park was open. I have to be honest, I'm a big sap and I got a little choked up at the sight of all the cheery Christmas decorations on Main Street, and Sleeping Beauty's castle in the distance festooned with snow and icicles and bulbs and wreaths, and the looks of excitement on my children's faces. And when the voice came over the loudspeaker with the "welcome to Disneyland" spiel that heralds the park opening, it was all I could do not to jump up and down with giddiness. Okay, I might have actually jumped up and down just a little.

We started in on all of our favorite rides, and there weren't too many people there for any of them, which was wonderful, because if you really want to see the selfishness and inconsideration of which the human species is capable, look no further than The Happiest Place On Earth, where I'm confident some folks would shank you for a better spot in line at Star Tours. We hit Pirates of the Caribbean early in the day, which is always the definitive Disneyland moment for me...floating through the dark waters past the rundown shacks and fireflies blinking in the bushes, getting ready for the drop down the big waterfall...that's when you really know you're there. It was even better when, after screaming our way down the waterfall, our entire boat spontaneously broke out in clapping and singing along with "yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me." The newly revamped Star Tours (in 3D!) was unbelievably exciting and scary and fun, and the Haunted Mansion's holiday incarnation was toned down in the creepiness department and just right for our two first-time riders. The annual Boys vs. Girls grudge match at Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters saw the boys come out victorious, and they also trounced us in our traditional Autopia race. They caught us on an off day and beat us fair and square, but we've got a year or so to psych up and come back with our A game, so...next time.

I could definitely see the tide turning this year toward having older kids. Whereas last year they wanted to go on Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan and the carousel all day, this time they were all about Indiana Jones and Big Thunder Mountain and the Matterhorn. They even got me on Big Thunder Mountain, which prompted the thought "what was I thinking?" several times during the ride as I alternately screamed and said "oh gosh oh gosh oh gosh" and hung on for dear life. It was all good fun, though, and I know McGyver loved having his whole family on the thrill rides with him.

Remember, this man hates Disneyland

To my surprise (and delight), Agent K was still adamant about meeting the princesses. When I asked her if she still wanted to do it, she immediately replied, "yes! It's a tradition!" And so I got one more year of leading her by the hand into the princess enclosure with her eyes closed because she wants to be surprised by which princesses are there. It's funny, how much you appreciate little things when you see your children growing up and you know those little things are on borrowed time.

Evening brought a whole new magic to the park, as the lights began to go on and the festive atmosphere only got better. The castle was bathed in blue light and fake snow flurries floated through the air around us, and we could just see the huge tree at the opposite end of Main Street ablaze with lights. As I mentioned yesterday, the fireworks were cancelled because of the wind, so we took the opportunity to go on It's a Small World instead. What is usually kind of a throwaway ride for us was surprisingly very cool in all its colorful, sparkly Christmas finery, and it's amazing how they really make it a completely different ride at this time of year. Plus, they mix in different versions of "Jingle Bells" with the "Small World" song, which is a little easier on your sanity.

We closed out the day with our traditional last ride on Pirates of the Caribbean followed by taking the Disneyland train on the big loop around the park to the entrance. We were freezing, tired, hungry, and ready to flop into our beds at the hotel, but it was -- as always -- a magical day with my three favorite people in the world, and I'm so grateful we had the chance to do it.