let the (money) memories begin

It has already been a month since our trip to the Happiest Place on Earth, and I am wishing I could go back in time 30 days and relive our magical week. Actually, I was recently able to do that in a small, slightly unusual way. The credit card bill came due, as it unfortunately always does, and so I was going over the charges. But at least for this time, pulling out the receipts to reconcile with the statement has never been so fun! All the great memories of meals, souvenir purchases, and associated fun experiences we enjoyed were brought to mind, as I recalled the details of each day.

Here's just a smattering of some events that those little white receipts titled “Disney Parks – Let the Memories Begin” brought to my mind’s eye:

• Breakfast on the patio of the River Belle Terrace overlooking the Rivers of America, while the pirate band entertains a small group gathered in front of the Pirates of the Caribbean entrance. Kids enjoying their Mickey Mouse pancakes, while I think of Walt sitting here enjoying his own breakfast and this same view countless times.
  
• Frozen lemonades along Small World Way on an unseasonably warm January afternoon, while observing the major facelift beginning on the majestic Matterhorn Mountain. Too bad we can't enjoy a trip down the left track during this visit.
• Racing with Treyson around Paradise Pier to find a popcorn cart to grab some buttery goodness for our snack while we get ready to enjoy our first ever viewing of World of Color. The snack of choice for our second viewing a few nights later will be a cinnamon roll and hot chocolates.
  
• Kyla getting her Minnie ears at the Mad Hatter on Main Street just before rope drop, while I secure a reservation for a grand circle tour of the park aboard the Lilly Belle for later that morning.
• At the end of that same day and back in nearly the same spot, stopping at the Churro cart in Town Square, after enjoying Mickey's Soundsational Parade and the Remember... Dreams Come True fireworks spectacular earlier that evening.
• Getting Dole Whips and a Dole Float at the Tiki Juice Bar just before hearing the birds sing words and the flowers croon inside their tropical hideaway.
• Hitting up all 3 eating establishments in the wharf to satisfy everyone's distinct cravings for dinner one evening -- broccoli cheese soup in a fresh bread bowl from Pacific Wharf Cafe, chicken teriyaki and rice from Lucky Fortune Cookery, and beef and chicken tacos from Cocina Cucamonga.
• While everyone else is finishing their lunches of pizza and pasta at Redd Rockett's, I slip over to experience a nostalgic return engagement of Captain EO.
• After enjoying our cruise visiting the children of the world, I find a fabulous Disneyland park map puzzle in the it's a small world Toy Shoppe. Along with some Mickey Mouse Clubhouse toys that Dallin chooses, it is the perfect souvenir to pick up with our gift card (thanks, Meg!).
• And finally, picking out some yummy Pooh Treats at Pooh Corner to help cheer up our last walk out to the front of the park to say goodbye for this trip.
  

Ah, what fun, magical memories were made!