Here You Leave Today And Enter A World Of Yesterday, Tomorrow, And Fantasy

We went to Disneyland. I've been two times this year and it's amazing. It truly is a magical place. I am able to shut out the rest of world and just soak up the magic. Everything from the smells and the music to the rides and shows. It is just incredible that one place can do so much. During this trip, Disney was all done up for Christmas and the 60th Anniversary. Again, Magical! Anyways, normally I try to wait for Christmas to start until after Thanksgiving but this year that went out the window. There was Christmas music playing and Christmas trees it really got me in the holiday spirit. (I will warn you now, this post will be filled of photographs.)

The first day we were there it was wonderful. Beautiful weather, not a lot of people. It was amazing. We started out the day in California Adventure. The first thing we did was ride Soarin' Over California. For those who haven't experienced it, it is incredible and so life like. You even smell the orange groves and the ocean. Bravo on that one Disney. Next up we made our was over to Paradise Pier.

Next was the infamous Hollywood Tower of Terror. I have ridden this ride several times and it still scares the pants off of me! The build up to this ride is just insane. Other rides that day were Grizzly River Run, don't go if you don't want to get wet, (you will get soaked) and Toy Story Mania. 

The place in California Adventure that amazes me the most is Cars Land. It feels like you are in the town of Radiator Springs. They took an animated, fictional town and made it real. Everything from Flo's to the Cozy Cone motel is included. The ride, Radiator Springs Racers is always a long line (never shorter than 60 minutes) and I would suggest a fast pass for this ride for sure! 

I warned you there would be a lot of pictures! We made our way to Disneyland afterwards. I would also recommend adding the park hopper to your pass. It makes it easier to see everything and breaks the day up a little bit. 

While California Adventure is amazing, nothing beats Disneyland. The shops, the balloons, the churros, and the castle!

Fantasy Land is home to a ride that I remember most from when I was a kid. I remember waiting line with my dad for Toad's Wild Ride. I don't know why that memory sticks out in my mind so much but it's one of the few memories I have from going to Disneyland when I was younger.

I also remember It's a Small World. Once you hear that song, it's hard to forget it. This time it was decorated for Christmas and again, it was magical.

The last ride I want to mention is the Haunted Mansion. This time it was the Nightmare Before Christmas. One of my favorite movies. It is so amazing that they can transform these rides into a completely different experience.

I'll leave you here with a few more random photographs. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to see Disney at Christmas time. It's worth fighting the crowds, and if you go during the week, Monday-Thursday, the crowds shouldn't be "too bad." 

Heart Strings

I like to believe I have a big heart. I care about people, sometimes more than I should, and a lot of things pull at my heart strings. Those animal cruelty commercials make me want to adopt as many animals as I can. The commercials for kids in Africa make me want to adopt those kids too. I would have a house full of kids and animals if money was no object. But sadly it is. When I read love stories, I put my heart into that book and feel what the characters feel. Especially when I read The Fault in Our Stars. I felt every emotion that Hazel Grace Lancaster felt. That book and movie are not for the faint of heart that is for sure. This odd sensation is one that I hadn't given much thought until now. Why do things that have no direct affect on us make us feel so strongly? Is it human nature to have sympathy and affection? Or maybe it is created in our upbringing. I may never know. It is, however, a quality that I am proud to have. I think it may make me a better person and one who is more understanding of others situations, good or bad. I will leave you with a photo and a quote. Both of which, tug at my heart strings. 

"What you do every day matters more than what you do every once in a while"