Ryan Gosling Ditches the Oscars for Disneyland Date With Guillermo Del Toro, New Dad Buys Gift for Daughter Esmeralda

Actor was spotted enjoying the rides the same night as the Academy Awards

By Alyssa Toomey Feb 25, 2015 12:14 AMTags
Ryan Gosling, DisneylandSharpshooter Images

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. And if you can't join 'em...head to Disneyland! 

That's exactly what Ryan Gosling did this weekend with pal Guillermo del Toro as the close friends were spotted on Sunday with a VIP tour guide at the Happiest Place on Earth, where the two were seemingly having a blast enjoying the rides. 

The former Mickey Mouse Club member, who, apparently, is never too old for Disneyland (remember, he and Eva Mendes, who recently welcomed their first child together, a baby girl, enjoyed one of their first dates at the theme park and Gosling is a frequent vistor), dined at Club 33, a private, members-only Disneyland dining experience, and according to an eyewitness, he "was very nice with fans."

Ryan and Guillermo were able to cut the lengthy lines at the park, where The Notebook star stayed for a whopping 11 and a half hours, thanks to their VIP guide.  

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In addition to eating at Club 33, Gosling also "indulged in churros and soft pretzels," and he was seen picking up "a few hats, shirts and magnets" from the souvenir shop. 

"Ryan enjoyed the rides, going on Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain Railroad, Disneyland Train, Jungle Cruise, Indiana Jones, Radiator Springs and Tower of Terror," the source reveals. 

Hey, he's a seriously Disneyland fan, folks! 

But of course, the doting dad didn't forget about his girlfriend or their bundle of joy at home, as he also snagged a few gifts for the two leading ladies in his life. 

"Ryan bought his new baby some Disney characters and a coffee mug for Eva," the source reveals, adding that it was the "cutest part" of the day. 

And while it may seem odd that Gosling did not attend the Oscars, it was no sort of snub to the Academy, as only presenters and nominees are invited to the annual event (just like Jennifer Lawrence, in case you were also wondering). 

As for why Ry is such a big fan of the Happiest Place on Earth? 

"I loved the idea that Walt Disney had this dream of a place and then made it a reality," Gosling previously said in a 2010 interview with GQ. "It's the same way I felt when I saw Blue Velvet. It's so clearly one person's singular dream. The fact that somebody believed in their idea so much to make it a reality...I want to be that kind of person."

—Reporting by Michelle Falls

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