Several weeks ago, a ton of swell fellas and swanky dames flooded the gates of the Disneyland resort dressed in their Sunday best. They braved the rain and grey skies to take us all back to a time when going to Disneyland meant dressing up to step out. I was lucky enough to be at the park to witness it. While I, personally, was not dressed up, I did get to spend the day with this handsome dude:

Avoid if you don't like oranges!

We got ready and headed right to the bus stop (past "Stinky Corner" which was one tiny area of the Port Orleans Riverside property that always smelled like fertilizer) and there was already a long line for our park of the day, Magic Kingdom. Oh well, it was a beautiful day outside. It was warm but not hot and the sky was blue. If you had to wait in line, this was the way to do it. And it really didn't take that long. We got there at a perfect time and they were soon sending two buses to pick everyone up.

The beautiful view when we step out of our hotel in the morning

Looking back at the building where the Royal Rooms are.

We were in Oak Manor

Waiting for the bus on a perfect day!

And soon we were rolling up to Magic Kingdom! It was beautiful! We decided to turn our phones to airplane mode since we get such poor service there anyway and that way we can save our batteries for when we needed them (you know, like if we were in a line and needed to check facebook). Steevin went on ahead past the bag check line since he just put his sketch book in my purse and didn't have his bag and I looked at both sides of the bag check line and opted for the right hand side as it just had a few people in it. I was through in no time and went to find Steevin. Except that he was no where to be seen. I thought, "Oh my god, did he actually go INTO Magic Kingdom without me?!" I tried texting him... and then I realized, "HELLO! We just put our phones into airplane mode." Okay I was beginning to see a flaw in our plan. Finally I spotted him over by the OTHER end of the bag check looking just as confused as I felt. I snuck up behind him and pinched his butt and he turned around looking relieved. He had been waiting on one side to take a photo of me coming through and I had come in the other side. LOL! We decided then and there that we turn airplane mode OFF if we get separated. After being reunited with the love of my life we scanned our Magic Bands, turned Mickey green and by 930am we were standing on Main Street USA East.

The first time you see the train station it always takes your breath away!

"We made it!!" (JAZZ HANDS!)

Main Street USA Flower Baskets

We stopped at many of the PhotoPass people along Main Street. . And there were a lot. In fact we realized there were a TON of PhotoPass people everywhere. Steevin was so intrigued that he asked one of the PhotoPass Cast Members what was up and they said that with the roll out of Memory Maker they had requests from guest to have more PhotoPass CMs out and about to really get the most of the deal. They were out in all SORTS of fun spots and often with little props (Valentines Day themed) and it was really great. Good job, Disney!!

Some day we will visit when that damn crane isn't there!

So happy to be here!

Smooches!

Doing all that posing really worked up our appetite. We knew we wanted to try to get into Be Our Guest for lunch so we would keep it light. And what's lighter than a sweet, crispy funnel cake?! We used one of our Dinning Plan Snack Points and shared it. It was messy (Steevin has a real issue with keeping it clean when eating powdered sugar) but delicious!



We decided to head on over to Haunted Mansion for a ride. I am fully convinced that the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland is haunted. Not to say that I don't love it, because I do. But you will not convince me to ride it at night by myself, that's for sure. Disney World's Haunted Mansion definitely feels less haunted but its SO fun. I love the extra details they have like the glowing eyes turning into the worlds best wall paper or the M.C. Escher room with the stairs. Steevin loves the attic... even though its EXACTLY the same as the attic in Disneyland. He thinks its better.

I love what they've done with the queue here. It really does make the line more interesting!

NAILED It!

We headed over to Be Our Guest around 11am and the line wasn't too long at all. We had tried to get Fast Passes for it before we left but I was never able to do it. We stood in line and entertained ourselves, as we often do, by taking photos.

This photo makes me laugh! Steevin told me to "Stand over there and be awkward." He just meant that I would FEEL awkward because I was standing in a walkway and everyone in line for BOG was looking at me... But I thought he wanted me to LOOK awkward so I did.

Looking less awkward but that Cast Member is not amused.

Just a normal one. Steevin didn't want any!

Ariel's castle!

I think this gargoyle was hungry too.

But soon enough it was time for us to head into the castle. We passed all the suits of armor and the "Magical" moving menus that were set up in the middle of the hallway. Really it was just a rotating menu on a screen but so many people thought they were touch screens and kept trying to touch them to scroll through the menu. One lady kept timing her touches perfectly with the changing screens and was 100% convinced that she was doing it. LOL!


We finally were able to order and a nice Cast Member helped us use the system. We both ordered the Roast Beef sandwiches, water and cream puffs (Steevin ordered chocolate and I got lemon raspberry). We scanned my Magic Band and went off to find a seat. Your food finds you by your magic band so no need to wait for it or take a number to your table with you. We sat in the room with the giant "music box" of Belle and Beast. Our food arrived soon on their fancy gold food carts and we dug in. It was VERY tasty!

Tale as old at time

Roast Beef and Pomme Frites

Chocolate Cream Puff

Lemon Raspberry Cream Puff

After a delicious lunch (that WAS mysteriously missing the singing silverware) we headed towards Tomorrowland. We wanted to check out Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor but it was down. Probably a human child on the loose. So unfortunately we couldn't help power Monstopolis with our laughter but the TTA was going and really, nothing beats a ride on the ol' Peoplemover! So we whooshed around the future for a bit on that and then Steevin, knowing me so well, suggested a spin on the best attraction ever... Carousel of Progress. We traveled through America's progress, singing "Its a great big beautiful tomorrow..." as we went and finally ended our journey with Grandma kicking butt playing with the Oculus Rift.

Tomorrowland Transit Authority has some of the best views!

Space Mountain looking pristine

It was time for our ride on the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Ride. This was our first time on it as it hadn't opened quite yet last time we were there. We did stop to get photos first along the way because... hello... we're Beth and Steevin. Its what we do!

I love this guy! And this pretty photo op of the world most beloved bathroom!

Whats going on here? We might never know!

Mine Train Time!

"IT'S SO SURPRISING!"

And our thoughts... Ehhhhhh. It was ok. I feel like it needed to pick a direction, either be a dark ride or be a fun little coaster. It kind of half-assed both and didn't succeed at either. It was fine with a FastPass but if I had waited any more than 15 minutes for it I think I would have hated it. As the little boy sitting in front of me said to his dad as we were pulling back into the station "Is that really it? We waited in line for an hour for that?". Poor little guy.

Excited as the ride started. I didn't take a photo of our faces at the end. Probably for the best.

The Seven Dwarfs Cottage sure looks great though!

After that slightly disappointing ride we had a FastPass to meet some Princesses! We went to find Princess Fairytale Hall but realized while we figured it would be in Fantasyland we didn't know WHERE exactly. It turns out, I really have a good idea of how a Disney park might be laid out and led us right there. We were ushered in and got to meet Cinderella and Rapunzel. Of course it was magical! Cinderella seemed a little shy but Rapunzel talked to us about the lanterns in the sky and how we should try to come visit her and Eugene and we could all go watch them together.

Hanging out with the Princesses

Whats with that awkward way I'm standing?!

We headed towards the Prettiest Bathrooms in the World and then made our way to Adventureland to see what the line for "Pirates: The Abridged Version" looked like but it was way too long so we did our favorite thing, next to eating and drinking, which is shopping!

Punzie Potties!

"Yeah... that's a bathroom behind me. What of it?"

Potty Stop Photo Op!

We'll be back for you later, Dole Whips!

The Adventure is Out There!

We decided to hit Big Thunder. We didn't have a FastPass or anything but with the new queue we were highly entertained by all the stuff to read on the walls, all the puns and all the fun stuff to photograph. I really love what WDW has been doing to update the queues! Big Thunder was fun as always!

I love puns!

Big Thunder Mountain

Steevin is excited!

We stopped by Tomorrowland one last time to see if we could donate some laughs to MILF (Monsters Inc Laugh Floor... come one guys!) and luckily it was open. I am never not amused by that attraction. Then we headed to Main Street to do some shopping and caught part of the parade. I really wanted to see that Maleficent dragon float and we just happened to catch that part so I was happy! I stopped in Starbucks and got the Magic Kingdom Starbucks mug (and I'm drinking out of it now as I write this!). Full disclosure... I wanted to get ALL the mugs but Epcot didn't have them and I gave up after that. Its okay though. I got one and now it more of a reason to go back!

So pretty!!

What a cute couple!

1 down, 5 more to get (I need Disneyland and DCA too!)

I have the most fun ever with this guy. I'll definitely keep him!

This bunny came to visit us while we were people watching on a bench.

We had one more stop which was back in New Fantasyland to get Steevin a Beast shirt that he has seen so we headed there and then made our way back up Main Street stopping at PhotoPass people along the way before exiting the park and going to the Monorail!

Relaxing

Being all cute and that guy staring at me

Ariel wasn't home but we took a photo anyway

Have you EVER seen two bigger goofs?

<3

What a perfect day!

Look how nice and empty it is!

I wish PhotoPass was something you could do on EVERY vacation.

My kisses hurt Steevin, I guess.

Aren't these the best!

Great work with the props, Disney!

From the Monorail

We were off to the Contemporary for dinner! But we were a little early for our reservation so we had two drinks each at the Outer Rim bar. Ok... I don't know it it was too much excitement that first day or if the bartender put a little extra pixie dust in those drinks but MAN did they pack a punch. I say this as someone who can really hold her liquor. Steevin and I were definitely feeling very very good as we made our way down to The Wave.

Dirty Martini and a Rum and Coke

Feelin' good!

Blue Mule and Sidecar Noir

So The Wave... its in the "Basement" of The Contemporary. I didn't even know it existed until I started researching places we've never eaten at. It seems to be a bit of an unknown place, probably overshadowed by the California Grill at the top of The Contemporary with its amazing views and REALLY good food. The Wave offers no views. At all. It has no windows. BUT, don't let that stop you. It doesn't feel dark in a bad way, it feels intimate. And the food was so good. It was the best 1 point dinning plan meal I've probably ever had.

Highly recommended by myself and Steevin!

I ordered the pork chops and Steevin ordered the herb-salted beef tenderloin. Both were good but we each had a bite of ours, and then a bite of each others and promptly switched plates as we both loved the other's order more. We stuck with water for dinner and then had coffee with our desserts. It really was a great meal and its a fantastic little secret.

Delicious rustic bread and butter with pink sea salt

The pork chops

Herb Salted Beef Tenderloin with lobster mash and veal reduction

Top: Creamy Indulgence with Butterscotch Creme Brulee, Cheesecake and Chocolate Truffle Mousse Bottom: American Flavors with Berry Crumble, Mississippi Mud Pie and Apple Pie Ala Mode

After totally enjoying our dinner we took a cab back to our hotel and stopped at the gift store to buy Dove soap so we could wash our hands (and bodies) without leaving us smelling like oranges for Steevin. We fell fast asleep soon after our heads hit the pillows... but not before I pushed the button for the magical headboards and drifted off to dreamland under a canopy of fireworks over the bayou.

The perfect end to the perfect day!