the happiest new year's on earth

Reminiscing on this day, I can't help but think, "Wow. me and Jacob are CRAZY!!!" with a bit of awe and satisfaction. We literally got up at 6 am, drove from Stockton to Anaheim (about 6 hours), and went straight to Disneyland—arriving there at about 2 pm and dragging ourselves out of the park, completely drained from new year's craziness, at about 3:30 am. We didn't know that this was going to happen. We didn't even know we were gonna go to Disneyland. We just did.

And I have to say, after making this very illogical and spontaneous decision, we walked through the gates of Disneyland feeling like a million bucks. And the rest of our new year's looked a lot like this...

Scared faces in line for the Tower of Terror.

Jacob was nice enough to go on this ride with me, even though it makes him a bit queezy.

Of course, we had to watch the show at the Golden Horseshoe. We were thrilled that they were still playing Christmas songs. 

this is one of  my favorite places at Disneyland. 

3-D glasses for the new Star Tours ride.

the Haunted Mansion was decorated all "Nightmare Before Christmas" style

         

we were super stoked that they still had all the Christmas decorations up. 

Besides the magical atmosphere that already pervades the park, all was jolly and bright. 

the countdown was both completely insane and completely awesome.  SO MANY PEOPLE! 

the last ride of the night on Space Mountain.

Highlights:

+ making a very spontaneous decision and walking into Disneyland like two giddy children.

+ the Golden Horseshoe Christmas show

+ Splash Mountain was open again! Every time I go, it seems to be closed.

+ Captain EO, OF COURSE. I mean, Michael Jackson + George Lucas + Disney = how magical can you get?

+ All the lights and decorations made Christmas linger a little longer

+ the new and improved Star Tours ride

+ Getting to see the World of Color show for the first time. AMAZING.

+ the countdown at the castle! super insane, but super fun. lots of dancing  + music + i got my new year's kiss.  Unfortunately, the fireworks were a little weak because it was really, really foggy. 

+ Riding all the rides after the countdown. The park really cleared out after midnight, which meant we got to run on all the rides! woo hoo!

+ The park was closing in about 10 minutes and I convinced Jacob to run to Space Mountain for one last ride. We made it just in time. In fact, we were literally the last people to ride it! after us, they shooed everyone away to close the park. 

We went home so insanely tired. I can't remember the last time I was ever so tired, but so satisfied. I don't think taking a road trip to spend your day in a crowded park on one of the biggest holidays of the year is everyone's cup of tea. But I guess me and Jacob really love Disneyland. Besides the fact that Jacob wants to be a Disney imagineer someday and it is my dream job to be Sorcerer Mickey—we were due for a crazy adventure.