Day 4, part 1

Thursday we went to DCA first thing in the morning. We were quickly sidetracked by Mater and Lightning McQueen.

Then by Duffy the Disney Bear (yeah, I've never heard of him either).

Brian and I went on Toy Story Mania, and in the meantime, Eli got to meet a green army man.

Then Brian and I went on Mickey's fun wheel. Ironically, I think it was the least fun ride in either park.

Look who's 1!

Thursday was Eli's 1st birthday! Here are some gratuitous shots of the birthday boy.

Day 3, part 2

After the Matterhorn, we decided to head out of Disneyland and go to DCA to play in the splash park. This day it was in the mid-90s and just scorching hot. We saw Chip on the way out and Eli got so excited we had to stop to say hi. Brian is just about asleep in his arms.

Both boys perked up in the splash park though. This was park of Flik's Fun Fair in DCA, which had a bunch of little kiddie rides with A Bug's Life theme.

Tuck and Roll's Drive 'em buggies. These are slo-mo bumper cars. Of course Brian loved it! He was so wet though they wouldn't let him on till we changed him.

Last ride for the day. Heimlich's chew-chew train. A large caterpillar eats through snacks. I thought it was dull but Brian really liked it. I guess the rides here were just at his level. Look at him though, he is barely awake at this point!

Day 3, Part 1

First thing in the morning, Brian and I went to ride the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, an old west roller coaster. I think Brian would have liked it, except that it started out by plunging into a dark tunnel with glowing bat eyes. Then we went back to Autopia, which was clearly the favorite ride in Disneyland. While we waited for our Fastpass time to go to Space Mountain, we met Buzz Lightyear!

Eli was really fascinated by him.

While Kermit and I rode Space Mountain, Calvin, Brian, Ian and Kelly went to ride the Peter Pan ride. I like how this picture shows the terror that seemed to grip him on all the dark rides. He really did not like the indoor rides.

He rode the Matterhorn with me, but was scared because it went through a dark tunnel with a Yeti. Thanks, Disney.

Day 3: Character Breakfast

Wednesday morning we went to Paradise Pier Hotel for our second character breakfast. Here's Brian dancing with Mickey

And Eli curiously checking him out.

Pluto came around to our table too, and Eli fed him some yogurt.

And we got to hang out with Stitch too! It was so much fun, in fact, that I don't think Brian ate a thing!

Day 2, Splash mountain

Last but not least, we went to ride Splash Mountain. Brian was once again just barely tall enough, so we had been to look at it the day before and he said he wanted to do it. This is the view from the sidewalk... after seeing it, I wasn't even sure I wanted to do it!

But what the heck, we all got on anyway.

Brian was a little scared on the inside part of the ride, where it's dark and there are animatronic animals singing. But look at that smile as we go down the plunge! He's braver than most of the adults, I think!

All of us, 3 of us soaked, in Critter Country after the ride. After this we headed home for naps, which didn't happen and so we didn't go back in the evening.

Day 2 continued

After riding Autopia twice, we all went on the storybookland canal boats.

It was one of the few rides Eli could go on and I think he enjoyed it.

This is what it was like, lots of little miniature scenes from classic stories. It was peaceful after driving around with my little self-proclaimed "crazy driver".

Then we went on the circus train, another ride that everyone could do. We rode on the "Wild Animals" car, pretty appropriate!