Mickey Mouse here I come!

For years Keven and I have talked about making Disneyland our Thanksgiving tradition. He went as a kid and historically it is the least visited day of the year. I won't say it was empty but it was definitely easy to navigate. I think our longest wait was maybe 20-30 minutes. Keven's dad was able to join us all was which was great since it was Gabriel's 1st time!

It took Gabriel a little while to figure out what was going on but once he did he had a blast! I wish I could had read his little mind. We rode just about everything that he was tall enough for. By the end of the first day when our turn was over he would try and pull the lap bar back down so we could go again. He got to meet Mickey Mouse, Tigger and Eyeore. Unfortunately, we just missed Pooh. Maybe next time...there will definitely be a next time!

A good breakfast is an important start! We statyed at Embassy Suites, which was perfect because they have breakfast buffet and Gabriel was able to try a little of everything...which he did.


We hopped on the shuttle and we were off to the park! The shuttle is quite an adventure in iteslf with a stroller and all the gear we had. Gabriel had his thumb in his mouth quite a bit the first day I think mostly from just being purely overwhelmed.




He spotted my Mickey ears...


...and had to have them.






Gabriel's first ride! Unfortunately no flash photography is allowed inside the rides so we don't have any of his face. You will just have to take my word for it. He loved it!


off to the carousel!






and then off to Dumbo!


Next it was onto the Casey Jr. train..he liked it a little ;-)






we did some ear shopping. Gabriel tried some on but wasn't ready to make a decision.




Next a quick snack while Keven and Grandpa Bob attempted to ride Space Mountain. Gabriel was on the lookout for little girls. He kept smiling at some next to us.


May be getting tired of pictures...too bad!


Looking at Keven's pins in the Nemo line.


A quick voyoage on Nemo's submarine. He enjoyed checking out everything underwater.





A few fries before heading into "It's a small world."






He was ready to crash and oh so sleepy but refused to nap.


Then we hit Toontown! Gabriel is trying his hand at driving a fire truck.




Checking everything out at Mickey Mouse's house!







He wanted them so bad :(




just a little too short.


By the time we met Mickey Gabriel was ready for another ride so we didn't really get the best smiles.


And just after we left he finally gave in and took a nap.


While Gabriel was napping I took the opportunity to put us in the perfect spot for the early evening parade. It is amazing how early people start staking out spots!

While we waited Gabriel got out and stretched his legs with Keven.


You are going to think I am making a joke but that big smile is for two young ladies, Disney employees, that Gabriel spotted and had to go talk to. I am told this is the Acosta in him. Great.


This is Gabriel and Grandpa talking to the young ladies I mentioned.


Had his glow sticks ready for te parade. He also has churro crumbs all over his lap. It is funny, I felt like he didn't eat that much while we there but I have so many pictures of Gabriel snacking ;-)


Tigger and Pooh in the parade!




After the parade we headed to dinner and then thought we would try one more ride. That turned out to a big mistake. While in line for Pirates the ride broke, only we didn't know it and stood in line for an hour. While in line they fixed and Gabriel fell asleep on my shoulder so we climbed on board. Poor guy woke up when we got to the battle scene part of the ride. He didn't cry at all, he was just very confused. Probably the most vivid dream he had ever had. After the ride he was snug and back asleep in the stroller. By the time we got back to the hotel room he had gotten his 4th wind and was a bit slap happy. He was running around the room with his travel neck pillow on backwards. It was very cute. He was quite a trooper. A great first day!....stay tuned for day 2!