Monday, March 31, 2008

Gradual Introduction to Disneyland

January 18 and March 8, 2008 -- Truman is old enough now to go to Disneyland (and other theme parks and major large-crowd locations and events), but knowing his historic tendency toward getting overwhelmed with excitement, I've decided to introduce him slowly.

In January, I took him with me when I upgraded my Disneyland annual passport, where he let me know what he thinks of the current park admission price:



We didn't actually enter the park, even though it seemed like a light attendance day. Instead, we spent a little time walking around Downtown Disney and taking photos in the area between the two parks. We did briefly go into California Adventure just to sit in the ice cream place (well, okay, HE just sat...I had a waffle cone), but that was just like taking him to a restaurant, so it was no big deal.

Then in March, a friend of mine from high school was in town with his family, so Truman and I met them at the Magic Kingdom for a few hours. As it was Saturday around Spring Break time, the place was packed. But Truman navigated the crowds with little concern, and behaved like a gentleman while we ate lunch outside during a very rowdy game of musical chairs, hosted by the Mad Hatter.

We only tackled a few of the rides, but he even seemed to handle the Haunted Mansion with a reasonable amount of calm (you just never know about the end of the elevator ride where the lights go out and everyone screams). He seemed to enjoy the train, too, or at least the view from there....

But I think Truman's favorite part of the day was making a new friend -- while he liked Steve and his wife Michael and little Kennon, he and Shaughnassy hit it off the best, right from the moment they met. Maybe it's because she's smart and funny and very good at remembering the etiquette about how to act around a service dog! Or maybe it's because she was wearing a Cheshire Cat on her head....

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Truman knows that all that good behavior gets you places! He looks like he is right at home on the rides too.!

Jays said...

Let me know if you ever want to go to Dland together--we have passes too!

8675309 said...

moggy, LOL....

deborah -- would LOVE to go with you guys. Wolf has a pass too.... :)

Anonymous said...

It sounds like you and Truman had a wonderful day at Disney! What a great place to go with lots of various distractions. Wow!

cube said...

My daughter's school trip is coming up in May and we'll be taking her to Disney World. I can't even imagine taking Elke.

You are a miracle worker with dogs.

JuliaR said...

Every time I see a photo of Truman, I see a large thought bubble over his head. That dog is a thinker of deep thoughts, I can tell.