Whoever dubbed this place the "Happiest Place on Earth" clearly never went there with two young kids over New Years like we did. Don't get me wrong, I love Disney. Snow White was the very first movie I saw in a theater and I've pretty much been hooked since. But Disneyland? That's a whole different story.

Between the huge crowds, colossal lines for everything and unrelenting heat (is it ALWAYS this hot in Anaheim??), it's just not for me. And judging by the tired, miserable faces on some of the other parents I saw there, I know I'm not alone.

This picture summarizes how I was feeling too.

There is one thing that I love about this place though and it will bring me back again and again despite my better judgment: seeing my kids eyes get as wide as saucers and their voices get all shrill and stutter-y with excitement as they point out all of their favorite characters and those smiles that swallow up the whole of their tiny faces.