Did you know that I celebrated my birthday in Disneyland?!?! Because I did! And it was probably one of the best birthdays I've ever had! You just can't go wrong with Disney!
My birthday button!
I loved wearing this button. It made me feel like I was back in junior high, you know, when people would decorate your locker and make you wear a sign all day and everyone would wish you a happy birthday? It was kind of like that. All of the cast members would tell me happy birthday, random park guests walking by told me happy birthday, one little girl in the bathroom before breakfast got REALLY excited that it was my birthday. This is the conversation we had:
Amberly: (walks into bathroom)
Little Girl: Happy birthday!
Amberly: Thanks!
(Walks into the stall, uses facilities and comes back out)
Little Girl: (bouncing over) Is it your real birthday?
Amberly: Yes, today is my birthday!
Little Girl: (faces lights up) Happy birthday again!!! (gets a couple paper towels and hands them to me after I wash my hands) Here, have some paper towels!
Amberly: Haha, thanks!
Yep, my first gift of the day was a wad of paper towels.
Waiting for the park to open!
We got there extra early on Wednesday so that we could really get fast passes for Radiator Springs. My brother-in-law was awesome and took everyone's tickets as soon as we got into the park and booked it to the fast pass line and waited for us all.
Joe and I went to breakfast first, for my birthday, because it was my birthday while I was in Disney parks, remember?! They have a little area in California Adventures now called The Pacific Wharf and it's like a little piece of San Francisco, I was so happy. We ate breakfast at the restaurant that is attached to the Boudin Sourdough Factory.
A little piece of heaven!!!
Yep, this was my favorite part!
Story about the next picture. Last time I went to Disneyland was 5 1/2 years ago, with my family. Two of my very good friends were there so we hung out for a little bit in Bugs Land. We were super entertained by these tractor seats because I don't think we realized what they really were and we just called them "butt holders" because they are shaped perfectly for sitting. I had to take a picture and post it on facebook, just for them!
I told Joe that I wanted to go on Heimlich's Chew-Chew Train. When we walked around the corner and saw it, he said, "That's what you're making me go on?" Apparently he didn't realize that it was a kids ride. What can I say, I find joy in the little things!
On the Chew-Chew Train
On my birthday, I did something scary, I went on California Screamin', a rollercoaster that used to make me sick and wobbly, twice! The one and only time I went on this ride, I had to sit down for 15 minutes afterward because I was a little off and my face in the picture looked like I'd just seen a ghost. Joe was super excited that I agreed to go, even though I wanted to be sick the whole time we were waiting in line!
We're in the back! I had fun, right?!
Another story, my sister has a birthday on April 17, so my birthday is her half birthday. I got a text from her in the morning that said, "Guess what day it is?! It's my half birthday! And I guess it's your birthday too (even though that's not as important), so... Happy birthday! :)" I wished her a happy unbirthday and told her that I'd celebrate at Disney for her while she was stuck in school! :P We're so sweet right?! I sent her this text card from The Alice in Wonderland ride:
Riding the Alice ride.
Dole Whips at the Tikki Hut
Joe didn't want an "I'm Celebrating" button when I got mine, but the ladies at the Tikki Hut thought that he needed one, so he humbly accepted his fate and celebrated with me for the remainder of the day!
Not his favorite....
Radiator Springs broke down before we got to use our fast passes. Lame right?! We hung out for a bit and then went to "It's Tough to be a Bug" with Joe's younger brother Right as we got out of the show, we got a call from my father-in-law telling us that the ride was up and going again. We had perfect timing because we got there before the crowds realized what was going on and we were able to walk right on to the ride. It was really fun! I definitely wasn't prepared for the racing roller coaster part though!
Radiator Springs = bad picture
Can you tell I was unprepared and surprised?
My second time on Screamin' was our last ride! I really enjoyed it, ok, I'll admit it!
Joe's brother posed.....
After we were done, Joe and I went and got ourselves some ice cream from Ghirardelli Soda Shop. We sat on a bench and ended up having the perfect view of the parade going by! It was a nice end to our time in the Disney parks.
For my birthday dinner, I have been really looking forward to going to Tony Romas! I miss having this restaurant in Utah so much and I am such a freak for it that I signed up to be in the e-club for the location nearest to the Disney parks and the location closest to our condo, since I didn't know where we were going to be when I wanted to eat there. This way I got an, "It's your birthday!!" e-mail from both of them and could redeem a free meal at either location. (It's a $15.99 value, there is no way I was missing out on that!) After the parks, Joe and I showered the humidity, sun and sweat away, put cute clothes on and I put minimal makeup on for our yummy date night!
The restaurant was 15-20 minutes away from our condo and we got there late enough that the restaurant wasn't crowded at all. Unfortunately, we got there right after some waiters/waitresses had gone home and there was confusion over who was supposed to wait on our table, so we didn't get a visit from anyone until Joe said something to the hostess 15 minutes after we were seated. But we got a free appetizer out of it without even saying anything, and our waiter was PERFECT, so I didn't mind!
The food was amazing!!! We splurged, and ate WAY too much, but it was worth it! We got the appetizer sampler that comes with boneless wings, an amazing spinach artichoke dip, an onion blossom, and some celery sticks. I ordered a whole rack of ribs ($16 bucks of that was free, why not?), a side salad and corn on the cob. Joe got a New York steak with loaded mashed potatoes and broccoli. And then the waiter brought me a birthday dessert with a candle on top.
That knife looks really scary huh?
Yummy!!!
Make a wish!!!
And then we came home to a sleepy brother. He stayed at the park with the rest of the group for a little bit to watch kids while they went on some more rides together. He says that he came home and was thinking about taking a shower.....apparently that's the last thing he remembers.
Where is the most exciting place you've ever celebrated your birthday?
