The House of Mouse (or “YAY! GRAMMA!” )

Yes folks, we went to Disneyland. HONEY! I’M HOME! With the exception of that rather unfortunate second birthday party appearance of “Mickey Mouse” I’ve always been a Disney girl. To me – it’s the happiest place on earth.

Although I would like to take this moment to clarify. Disneyland is a theme park. Not an amusement park. It is meant for the ethereal experience, not cheap thrill rides that go upside down and make you feel sick to your stomach.

In September I ran the Disneyland Half Marathon (dressed as Snow White). Last Sunday I thought it would be a good idea to run the Tinkerbell Half Marathon (dressed as a fairy, of course).

So after spending the beginning of my vacation week canvassing “Disneyland for Adults,” we headed to the House of Mouse for our concluding weekend.

(Thankfully the weather warmed up. Given the frigid temperatures freezing over fountains in the desert, I was seriously considering the concept of wearing every article of clothing found at Gramma and Papa’s house and simply rolling around on the course in a StayPuft Marshmallow level of layers.)

Search and Destroy can’t get enough of Gramma and Papa. Each visit is a whirlwind non-stop energy explosion and complete grandparent doting. Well a week ago Friday afternoon, the muppets were about to experience an adventure that would make their week EVEN BETTER!

Gramma and Papa were to meet us at California Adventure for the afternoon. After careful consideration, I decided we would not attempt Disneyland proper at only age two and a half. The kids’ rides there (FantasyLand) are scary as all get out.

• Alice in Wonderland – don’t deny it, acid trip.
• Mad Tea Party Tea Cups – get dizzy drunk, arf on parents.
• Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride – run from the police, go to hell.
• Peter Pan’s Flight – runaways fight a grown man trying to maim/kill children.
• Pinocchio’s Daring Journey – scary man kidnaps you, turn into donkey, get eaten by a whale.
• Snow White’s Scary Adventures – evil witch poisons you, detractors die.
• It’s A Small World – ok, admittedly this one is scarier for parents. That song!

California Adventure Cars Land, however, is incredible. We met Lightening McQueen! As the world-famous Piston Cup racer pulled up to the Cozy Cone Motel, Destroy went nuts. Stomping his little feet, his eyes were wide with awe. “WHOA!” he gasped. “KA-CHOW!”

From there we toured the town looking for kid appropriate rides, experiencing the magic of Disney through the eyes of a child wearing his special Mickey ears – right up until the verge of meltdown.

We’re not completely crazy parents – and were not about to tempt fate by an entire day at the park. Instead our plan was to run the boys ragged right up until bedtime. And then send them home to be their grandparents’ problem while Jon and I sampled the offerings of Trader Sam – also known as the bar at the Disneyland Hotel.

Tangent: One of the critical reviews of the hotel noted angrily, “There is a BAR on the premises that serves ALCOHOL. This should not be acceptable in such a children-oriented environment!”

Have you ever been to Disneyland with small people?! (Thank you. I recommend the Shipwreck on the Rocks.)

This September I’ll be back out on the course running the Disney Dumbo Double Dare – a Saturday 10k followed by the Sunday Disneyland Half Marathon – all through the twists and turns of Disneyland and California Adventure. Given the challenge, I’m thinking of dressing up as Dumbo.

But this time, it’s gonna be epic! AuntJ and GrammaJ will be joining me for 13.1 miles. WHO’S WITH US? (Investigate and register at Run Disney.)