We are on spring break this week. However, being a homeschool family we had the opportunity to go to Disneyland the week before our local schools went out on their breaks. It was so wonderful and not crowded at all. We could walk easily through the park and went on our favorite rides a couple of times each. Personally, I thought it was a great way to gear up for our week off.
Working at Disneyland was my second job when I was 17 years old. Because of this, it holds a huge place in my heart and feel so lucky that Steve and Emma love it as much as I do. We go every year.
Anyway, I’ve taken my camera to the happiest place on earth before with the purpose of taking pictures for certain projects. It’s not fun for my family when I do that, because I really am in another place and being very intentional with my work. So, unless I go there for a shoot, I only use my cell camera.
First and foremost, I’ll tell you I’m obsessed with the details of the park. I love the trim and accents on everything and have walked into people because something little has caught my eye. I love the street drains, the lights, and all the little pieces of chipped paint. I’ve tried to visit the park and not look at these things but I just can’t. It’s my favorite part! Steve and Emma were teasing me this trip because I decided to take pictures of the lights. They were laughing at me and saying, “ohhh look at that light…” Haa haa, very funny, you people. Needless to say, I’m starting you out with the lights:
Like I said, we were able to go on a few of the rides twice. Here we are on Space Mountain… I’m not even sure what to say about these. I CAN say I’m usually just happy on this ride. PS, Please don’t copy these images and make money, because then I’m busted with Disneyland. (I know you were planning on it.) And no, I don’t know the people in the last seats but I have to admit I love the person who is totally alone in a car and poses anyway. Hats off!
On with the rest of the day:
Main Street
Traditional castle picture.
I love the gardens and flowers at the park.
And some ducks… Lots of ducks!
I love the buildings and the places that make it special that we never really stop and pay attention to.
Like this guy…
I love the foliage in the park and all the light. During the morning and late afternoon hours at the park I’m mesmerized by the light that bleeds through all the trees and plants here. It’s lovely.
Here we are at the park.
Certain things at the park, everyone takes pictures of. When I was taking this, I was trying to shoot around 20 other people taking the same picture.
Then there are things like this that no one takes a picture of. In fact, my oldest daughter laughed at me when I showed her a picture of the sticker that was on our table at lunch… That is Emma’s spoon next to it.
Look at Steve and Emma at lunch. I remember when Emma was about two, we ate here and some pirates came and talked to her. Well, that made her cry so they gave her a cool gold pirate coin. Well played, Emma, well played. Now, she’s so big.
Speaking of lunch, we sat down to eat and five minutes later a band strolled up and started playing music. It was really weird because then everyone eating lunch started taking pictures of me because I was sitting right in front of the band (who they were really taking pictures of…) AWKWARD… Needless to say, I felt I also needed a picture of the band with me in it.
After lunch means a train ride, and a nap with your eyes open.
Haunted mansion.
Certain things make me think of my family when I’m here. This picture in the Haunted Mansion always makes me think of my older sister. I don’t know why. There is a doll in the Small World that always makes me miss her. Thunder Mountain makes me miss my brother and the fireworks always makes me miss my little sister. She knows why… (snow…)
PS How true is this?
In love with the weird water on all the boat rides. This is what I see on the small world. Make a wish!
These make me miss Amanda. She always wanted one of these when we went to Disneyland. Blech.
The last thing we did was check out Pixie Hollow. I’ve never seen it. It was empty, but we still had fun looking all all the lights and props for the pixies.
From day to night the park is enchanting. It’s a place of magic and fun! It’s relaxing and tiring. It’s a place for me that has been there my whole life. It’s seen me as a little girl all dressed up to be there and as a teenager “holding hands” on the rides. It’s been my employer where I met some of the best friends I even had. It’s seen me pregnant and bringing all of my babies here. Married and single, with family and friends. Disneyland has been a part of every stage of my life. It’s home for me.
The Multi-ti-Purpose Room 
Do you realize how badly you’re making me want to go to Disneyland right now? Such a magical place!
I agree! I could go several times a year and never get tired of it!