My first trip in a few years.

Well,

I finally got a chance to get into the park again, now as a father. I must tell you that going in with your child is like visiting the park for the first time, again. Seeing it though your child's eyes is...well...special.

Entering into the Marina entrance my 20 month old immediately pointed to the Antique Cars and the Raptor above. It appeared early on that he has my blood.

We made a beeline for Kiddy Kingdom to see how he would do on the rides. A quick stop at Snoopy's Boutique for a high five with Charlie Brown and a kiss on the end of Snoopy's nose. I hope the pictures turn out. His first ride was one of those beep,beep, beep kiddie cars. I was a worried Dad and made sure the attendant knew he was a first time rider. (Get next to that E-stop and stay there.) I shouldn't have been concerned, his face lit up and I immediately realized we had a rider on our hands. The kiddie carousel, rub a dub tubs, more cars all followed.

We hopped over to the Skyscraper. No fear in him though it still bothers me even though I can ride nearly everything. Go figure.

We got him on that SUV ride (which I have secretly always wanted to ride) and he loved it too! So did daddy.

Of course, we went over to Dragster and it was the first time I saw it running up close and in person. Wow, it is more impressive in person. After the wait in line I jumped on with a friend and we were soon hurtling down the track. Wow! Oh my! (Insert expletives here.) Hey, if anyone sees my underwear under the track let me know and I will give you my address to return it. When I got off the boy wanted to go on too. Ah, maybe next time.

Absolutely no line for Magnum (which is a very weird sight for me) but we didn't ride. I am getting older and had to conserve my energy...not too mention the ride on Dragster was still vividly in my head, arms, neck, back, etc.

Took a spin on the River Cruise. Loved those corny jokes. Skipper was pretty good but he has a long summer ahead of him.

Took the boy on the car ride back in Frontier Town. He is a maniac about those cars.

Had a beer at the Red Garter. Couldn't pass that up. Took a trip on MF...only my second spin. I think it is a better coaster than Dragster but not as intense as an experience, obviously. Saw nobody have problems with getting turned away but load time was obviously slow. Is it too much to ask for the next coaster to NOT be a recored breaker but just be a great ride?

Took a spin on the train. Man was it slow! The kid fell asleep just as we pulled back into the station. It figures. He woke right back up when we got off. Back to Kiddie Kingdom for some more rides for the boy. Watching him is the greatest fun I have ever had in a park. Left the wife to take a spin on Raptor. I realized it has been 10 years since I first rode it on opening day in the very front of the first car (after the Red Cross of course...I'm cheap). It is still a great ride.

Ok kid, one more ride on the Antique Cars. Well, maybe one more after that. I totally forgot to check out the donut shop. Next time for sure. We had a nice dinner at Famous Dave's. If you haven't been over there I highly suggest trying their food. Great bar-b-que. It is worth a trip out of the park for an hour or so.

What a great time. We only were there half a day but the crowd was thin. Before we got across the causeway the boy was out cold and his first trip to CP was in the books. I am quite certain it won't be the last.

Somehow my kids fall asleep on the causeway out, too. Must be something in the air there. :)

My son was out BEFORE the causeway (leaving from the Soak City parking lot). He rode his first "beep beep" cars at 14 mths. I, too, was the nervous mom making sure the seat belt was secure and the attendant was paying attention. Of course, he loved it and started to cry when they stopped. :)
I agree with you on Famous Dave's, excellent service and food was served in a very timely manner.

My son's first real amusement ride, short of the WDW parking lot tram and the monorail was Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin at about 4 months. I didn't score well holding him in one arm but he was excited by all of the lights and sounds.