Remember It All Started With A Mouse - A Tale of July 17, 2005

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  • Barbaraann
    Chicago Gal
    • Apr 2005
    • 58403

    Trip Report Remember It All Started With A Mouse - A Tale of July 17, 2005

    The facts may be fuzzy in my head, but the feeling is still there in my heart. I remember waking up, while it was still dark at the Hilton, where we were staying. It was the morning of July 17, 2005. The day had finally arrived . I was so excited. We were off to Disneyland. That's me, my friend Jennifer, and her 3 children, David, Brittany, and the youngest, Alyssa. This is the story of that day.

    BarbaraAnn

  • Barbaraann
    Chicago Gal
    • Apr 2005
    • 58403

    #2
    Re: Remember It All Started With A Mouse - A Tale of July 17, 2005

    It was very dark outside. I think it was between 5 and 6 a.m when we arrived at the park. I had a brand new digital camera for the trip, but I was new at taking pictures. I forgot to change the time on the camera, so I am still confused to this day, as to the times on the photos. Anyway, the day is right, and as you can see, it was dark.



    They were lining people up, and directing them into DCA. It was a very well thought out plan, and it went very smoothly. When we first arrived, another Disneyland guest in line, was kind enough to snap this picture of all of us together. I am so glad they did, because we didn't get too many group shots that day.

    BarbaraAnn

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    • Barbaraann
      Chicago Gal
      • Apr 2005
      • 58403

      #3
      Re: Remember It All Started With A Mouse - A Tale of July 17, 2005

      It was a long wait in DCA. However, during our wait, we talked to many other Disneyland guests. On the way in, we were given park maps, and Golden Mouse Ears. Many people were wearing them on their heads. I couldn't get mine to stay on my head. Besides, I had made, my MiceChat Hat to wear on that day. Funny thing was that I only talked to one person, all day, who knew what MiceChat was.





      The kids were pretty patient. However, standing for a few hours in DCA, waiting for them to escort us into Disneyland, did make us a little weary. However, when our group started making it's way out of DCA, and across the Esplanade, my friend Jennifer, had the biggest smile on her face.

      Last edited by Barbaraann; 07-17-2008, 01:09 PM.
      BarbaraAnn

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      • kelly
        love my friends
        • Sep 2005
        • 36993

        #4
        Re: Remember It All Started With A Mouse - A Tale of July 17, 2005

        Love it so far barbara

        Friends for life

        Comment

        • Disney Analyst
          Behind the refurb walls..
          • Apr 2005
          • 8405

          #5
          Re: Remember It All Started With A Mouse - A Tale of July 17, 2005

          ooh I can't wait for more






          ~ Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday tomorrow and fantasy
          ~

          Comment

          • kelly
            love my friends
            • Sep 2005
            • 36993

            #6
            Re: Remember It All Started With A Mouse - A Tale of July 17, 2005

            I remmeber I worked that Day at DCA.. Good memories

            Friends for life

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            • scrappydawg
              MiceChatter
              • Jul 2007
              • 358

              #7
              Re: Remember It All Started With A Mouse - A Tale of July 17, 2005

              Short Story!

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              • kelly
                love my friends
                • Sep 2005
                • 36993

                #8
                Re: Remember It All Started With A Mouse - A Tale of July 17, 2005

                Originally posted by scrappydawg View Post
                Short Story!
                i worked at DCA for 2 1/2 years (then we moved to vegas)

                COntinue with the trip report so sorry to dearail barbara

                Friends for life

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                • Barbaraann
                  Chicago Gal
                  • Apr 2005
                  • 58403

                  #9
                  Re: Remember It All Started With A Mouse - A Tale of July 17, 2005

                  Now this is what we encountered, when we entered the Esplanade. Those were the people that were lining up at the regular lines. We were escorted right past them, and we were on our way into the park. It was just before 8 a.m. It was well worth it to get up at 5 a.m.



                  I remember people asking us, "how early did you get up?" I remember feeling so smart. I had heard about the idea to get there early, and you could wait in DCA, and be one of the first in the park. Where did I hear that? On MiceChat, of course

                  BarbaraAnn

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                  • Barbaraann
                    Chicago Gal
                    • Apr 2005
                    • 58403

                    #10
                    Re: Remember It All Started With A Mouse - A Tale of July 17, 2005

                    Of course, the very first thing that we did when we arrived inside the park, was to head for the tunnel. We were on the right side. Jennifer, and I had our cameras out, and I just kept snapping. I remember feeling tired, but happy. There was a certain electricity in the air that is hard to explain. It was a magic moment in my life that I won't soon forget.

                    BarbaraAnn

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                    • Barbaraann
                      Chicago Gal
                      • Apr 2005
                      • 58403

                      #11
                      Re: Remember It All Started With A Mouse - A Tale of July 17, 2005

                      Once we passed through the tunnel, we didn't spend any time at all in Town Square. We headed for Main Street. What we saw was a wondrous sight. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.













                      I especially liked the shot at the end of Main Street. Those towers were set up to televise the ceremonies I believe. I remember the feeling as I walked down Main Street, that early morning, and the cast members were welcoming everyone home. It was a good feeling. I get goosebumps now, as I think about it. There were a lot of heads, with golden mouse ears. A lot of smiles.

                      Last edited by Barbaraann; 07-17-2008, 01:35 PM.
                      BarbaraAnn

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                      • SusieP.
                        Ravenclaw

                        • Jan 2005
                        • 6818

                        #12
                        Re: Remember It All Started With A Mouse - A Tale of July 17, 2005

                        Just remembering about walking down Main Street gives me goosebumps all over again! :ap:
                        A signature should go here.

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                        • themur
                          Member
                          • Jan 2005
                          • 1221

                          #13
                          Re: Remember It All Started With A Mouse - A Tale of July 17, 2005

                          Thanks for sharing the photos. Great memories

                          My wife and son and I got in line just before midnight. We spent part of the time in a long snaking line in the tram area before being moved to DCA for the night. We were told that we were about number 1,200 in line.

                          There were some gasps (and a few boos) from the people in the morning line in the esplanade as we were escorted by but I have not experienced many things as magical as being Welcomed Home down Main Street by all those employees.
                          The Mur
                          ______________________________________________
                          Two different worlds.....we live in two different worlds

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                          • Barbaraann
                            Chicago Gal
                            • Apr 2005
                            • 58403

                            #14
                            Re: Remember It All Started With A Mouse - A Tale of July 17, 2005

                            Now we were on a mission, and quite frankly, if I had to do it over again, I probably would have planned that morning a little differently. We didn't try and get near the castle for the ceremony, no, we went left. We went in the Pin Line. There was a special pin being sold that day, and we wanted to buy it. So, yes, we went left.
                            BarbaraAnn

                            Comment

                            • Kritter
                              He Gets The Job Done
                              • Oct 2006
                              • 8152

                              #15
                              Re: Remember It All Started With A Mouse - A Tale of July 17, 2005

                              seeing pictures like this really makes me sad that I missed out on such a great event!

                              Comment

                              • Barbaraann
                                Chicago Gal
                                • Apr 2005
                                • 58403

                                #16
                                Re: Remember It All Started With A Mouse - A Tale of July 17, 2005

                                Now, had we know how long that pin line was, we probably never would have gotten in it. However, we did, and once you commit that much time, and energy to getting a souvenir, you don't want to give up. Here are some of the photos that we took as we wound our way around the Rivers of America, and the paths of Disneyland in that line. I only wish that we had taken some pictures with the many other guests that we talked to as we waited to buy our pins.










                                Last edited by Barbaraann; 07-17-2008, 01:53 PM.
                                BarbaraAnn

                                Comment

                                • Barbaraann
                                  Chicago Gal
                                  • Apr 2005
                                  • 58403

                                  #17
                                  Re: Remember It All Started With A Mouse - A Tale of July 17, 2005

                                  So many times we wanted to get out of that line. I remember that we complained a lot about how badly it was all planned. I remember wanting the pin, and hoping we would get to the front of the line soon. I won't tell you how long we waited, but we were amongst friends. We figured, we'd have a "one of kind" souvenir when we were done. After all, "how many times does Disneyland turn 50?"
                                  BarbaraAnn

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                                  • Barbaraann
                                    Chicago Gal
                                    • Apr 2005
                                    • 58403

                                    #18
                                    Re: Remember It All Started With A Mouse - A Tale of July 17, 2005

                                    Well we started to get hungry, of course. None of us, had eaten breakfast. Our lunch at Blue Bayou wasn't for hours. Surely we'd be done by then. We saw people with cupcakes. Birthday, or were they anniversary cupcakes? Anyway, we sent the kids to find out, and sure enough, they came back with enough for all of us. They were very generous with the passing out of the cupcakes. I understand all the restaurants had an ample supply, and all you had to do was ask.









                                    After having our fill of cupcakes, we were getting closer to the beginning of the line. At least, we thought we were. At one point in time, someone passing by asked us what we were in line for, and another guest replied "We are in line to use the washroom". We needed a little levity, were all getting crabby, at that point.

                                    Last edited by Barbaraann; 07-17-2008, 02:17 PM.
                                    BarbaraAnn

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                                    • aashee
                                      Skeevy Ray Vaughan
                                      • Aug 2006
                                      • 38338

                                      #19
                                      Re: Remember It All Started With A Mouse - A Tale of July 17, 2005

                                      Thanks for the walk down memory lane Barbarann. I'm looking forward to the rest.
                                      Last edited by aashee; 07-17-2008, 02:33 PM.

                                      Comment

                                      • TDLFAN
                                        Banned User
                                        • Feb 2005
                                        • 14940

                                        #20
                                        Re: Remember It All Started With A Mouse - A Tale of July 17, 2005

                                        What a great thread Barbaraann!! I too was there at 2am bring and early, with the rest of the world. I would do it all over again... my eyes tearing with joy as we got into the park... What a fabulous day it was..

                                        Thanks Walt.

                                        Comment

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