One of the best things about Disneyland is the quality of all those characters walking around in flesh and blood: we saw Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Prince Caspian riding on a horse, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty…. They are amazing! They are so impeccably dressed and made up. Their mannerisms are so detailed and well-rehearsed.

Molly was in love with the princesses. She even came dressed as one! We went to Storybook Theater and got to hear Sleeping Beauty tell her own story! She was perfect! Even the Lipka boys were entranced! Then Molly and Matthew got to take a lesson with these court people on prince and princess etiquette, and they did a dance. Molly went to a special lunch where Ariel came and wished her happy birthday.

Molly’s Favorite Rides: FROM MOLLY: “Well, I liked the rollercoaster which went slow and i liked the one which went FAST! I liked it because my cousins went on that rollercoaster with me. I also liked the carousel when i rode on the elephant and the ride where the ceiling was coming down i was a little bit scared. And the one where i was in the jungle.”

Matthew got to meet Mickey Mouse and take a picture with him at his house in Toon Town. I don’t think Matthew has ever seen a Mickey Mouse cartoon, but he was IN LOVE with Mickey Mouse from the moment we got to Disneyland. Late in the afternoon of our 2nd day we waited in line for about 15 minutes to get to meet Mickey Mouse in his studio and then we went into a room with about 5 other families. All of the other children looked nervous and uncertain and were clinging to their parents. Not Matthew! He ran up to Mickey and gave him a big hug.

Matthew’s Favorite Rides: Pirates of the Carribean, Dumbo, Jumping Jellyfish, Gadget’s Go Coaster, Mickey’s House