From my perspective, I struggle with large crowds. I don't like the noise of large crowds, and I'm just not a thrill-seeker when it comes to big rides. Ordinarily, therefore, today should have been hell on earth for me. Oh, did I mention the suggestion we should arrive by 7.30am, ready for 8am opening? I'm not a morning person either.
So ... here's the sight that greeted us inside the gate. Yes, there's Walt and Mickey, but where's the castle? The truth is, it's undergoing major renovations. It made me feel a bit better about all the tourists in London who emerge from Westminster Underground station, only to be disappointed not to be able to see the Elizabeth Tower (aka Big Ben) as it's clad in scaffolding.
We enjoyed sitting by the lake, watching the paddle steamer pootling about. We joined Davy Crockett and kayaked the loop - overtaking the boat in the process. I'm not convinced how much of our progress was really down to our paddling and/or whether there was some hidden underwater propulsion of some sort. (My money's on the latter option.)
As to rides, I'm assured that Disneyland is more about the themes that the thrill factor. For the record, out of the larger rides, I went on Pirates of the Caribbean (tame), Indiana Jones (pretty wild), Splash Mountain (twice), and Thunder Mountain (definitely just the once). All the rides used darkness to great effect. Splash Mountain (the log flume/water ride) was immense fun. The first time we got splashed a bit, but the second time - with two large men in the front of the boat - we got soaked. A heavy front-end meant that we dipped lower into the water at the bottom of each descent.
And so to Thunder Mountain - a rollercoaster with a "old-time gold mine" theme. Read that as giving a rickety and bumpy ride. I screamed a lot (according to Tom). I survived.
Steve and Tom posed for a photo beside the ride. We couldn't help notice the similarities between the "mountain" and the rock formations we'd seen at Bryce Canyon earlier in our holiday.
Steve and Tom also went on "Space Mountain" - a rollercoaster completely in the dark. Judging by their stories, I'm glad I sat this one out.
Tom was much more interested in the Star Wars area than the main parade, although we missed out on the major new feature that opens in May. Nevertheless, he was one happy boy, as the pictures show.
If only Chewbacca could have kept his hand still!
And so to a verdict. Did I enjoy myself? Yes, massively. I pushed my comfort zone, got soaking wet, and enjoyed seeing my two best boys having the time of their lives. My feet ache (16,600 steps logged, although I had to switch my phone off as the battery was low), and I'm sure we'll all sleep soundly tonight.
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