I admit I was skeptical about taking a trip to Disneyland. I’ve heard about its magic, but wasn’t convinced that I would appreciate it as an adult. I’ve always thought about Disneyland exclusively as a kid’s place, where adults are relegated to the sidelines. I wasn’t looking forward to the long lines, waiting thirty to forty minutes for each attraction, and the temper tantrums in between. But I knew those elements are always a part of an amusement park package.
What surprised me was the genuine feeling of happiness that comes over you as soon as you enter the park. There are smiles everywhere. Kids are laughing, but adults are also smiling. Adults are licking ice cream cones, taking pictures with Mickey and Minnie, and raising their hands high on the roller coasters. They are transported to the nostalgia of their own childhood and everyone has forgotten the troubles that may be lurking at home or work.
Reality is suspended. Disneyland is perfect. The flowers aren’t wilted, Main Street is clean even though close to 100,000 visit the park everyday, and the lawns are perfectly manicured. It isn’t real life, but I think this is the point. There is a certain magic about watching fireworks in the sky over the castle, princesses walking the street, and Disney characters giving high-fives on every corner.
I am believer now. Adults can wish upon a star, so that their dreams can come true too. At least in Disneyland.
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What was your experience at Disneyland? Do you feel transported to another world? What you do you like best about Disneyland?
Welcome! I am a lawyer turned freelance writer, essayist, and editor. On staff at Literary Mama and the co-founder and co-editor of the literary journal, The Sunlight Press, my essays and reported work have appeared in The Washington Post, The Lily, Saveur, Civil Eats, Brain, Child, ESPN and elsewhere. I am currently at work on a memoir on grief and culture and how it provides perspective on life’s ordinary graces. I invite you to appreciate the ordinary with me. I hope my daily practice of seeing the magic in the mundane helps you celebrate and find more of these moments in your life too.
I’m all for the magic! I like what you said about it not being real life, and that being the whole point. Kind of the same reason I watch TV… it’s an escape. And what’s better than an escape you can enjoy with your kids? An escape that leads to shared memories? Nothing.
For all the cheese factor, all the commercialism, all the lines, and all the expense, I still cannot wait until my boys are old enough to go to Disney. What fun!
I am still hesitant that I will enjoy it, despite the recommendation of a respectable fellow blogger. I’ve never been a fan of amusement parks but I don’t doubt that I will be there someday. For my daughter’s sake.
And perhaps even surprise myself a little.
My grandparents took me to Disneyland and Disneyworld many times as a child and, of course, as a kid you love it!!! I went several years ago as an adult with my friend Suzanne and we actually had a ball! We wanted to experience the wonderment as adults and see if it still had the same “pizazz”. Although there are a few annoying things (strollers EVERYWHERE!!! and way too expensive food), you are right, there is still that magical feeling that is different there than what you get at other amusement parks.
I can’t wait to take our daughter to Disneyland – she just loves Mickey, Minnie and all the characters. We had talked about doing it this Christmas and that idea hit the back burner. But after reading your post today I am going to resurrect it!
I’ve been to Disneyworld three times: once as a kid, once as a teenager, and once as a mom. And I’ve really liked it every time. Call it marketing or magic, but I’m sold either way. My husband is less enamored, however. So I’ve already decided that my next trip with my kids will be without him. I don’t want him taking the shine off the magic! 🙂
I think if you go to Disneyland with young children it would only be a real Scrooge who didn’t enjoy themselves. Seeing the utter joy on your child’s face as they meet ‘the real’ Mickey or Minnie and give them a big hug is just magical. As an adult you get swept up in that joy and find yourself transported back to your own childhood.
You mentioned how clean Main Street is? We read some time ago that the park is *so* well organised that if anything is spilled or dropped it will take no more than 20 seconds for it to be cleaned up …and it’s absolutely true. There must be an army of eagle-eyed staff.
I’m a fan of specifically Disneyland in California – the original is still, by far, the best. It’s smaller and more intimate feeling. (That makes me sound like a real Disneyland nerd)!
We’re going next year…hopefully. Disneyland brings back very fond memories. My favorities are still in Fantasy Land on Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and on Tom Sawyer’s Island.
We keep debating how old the kiddos need to be before we can go. But I want to go while my daughter is still enamored with princesses because seeing her face as Cinderella walks up to her and says “Hello” will make the trip worthwhile all by itself. =>
I LOVE Disneyland! Or Disney World, since I think that’s the one I’ve been to. The last time I went was in 9th grade, because for some reason while other kids were on fancy family vacations beaching or skiing, I wanted to go hang out with Mickey. I’ve always had a thing about wanting to just be a kid again..
Maybe it’s from my parents. They went to Disneyland for their anniversary a few years before my dad died… just like in the commercials. It’s just a happy place..So glad you loved it!
And here’s hoping Harry Potter land is just as good!
This is fascinating to me. I’ve never been to Disneyland, not as a child, nor an adult, taking my children. Never felt the desire to do so, which doesn’t mean my kids haven’t been to amusement parks or done other typical “kid things.”
This was just never something I even considered. (Guess that makes me/us unusual.)
But it sounds like it was a wonderful experience for you. Lovely. And as you say, unexpected magic.
I’ve been a few times to Disneyworld and LOVED it every time. We took our children this year and my 3 1/2 year old ended the day by saying “It was amazing!”. That’s good enough for me. I can’t wait to go back.
I want to go now! My husband and I have been thinking about saving up to take the girls in a year or two. I never considered the fact that we might love it too.
I’ve never been to Disneyland but Disney World and it is truly magical. We are going again this summer and I can’t wait!!
It was 1978. I was in the sixth grade. We visited Florida over Christmas break. We had tickets to the Gator Bowl, OSU vs Clemson. It was so cold when we visited Disney World that we had to break the ice in the puddles on the seats of the tram from the parking lot to the entrance. Brrrr.
This is great perspective, Rudri – I’ve always been a Disney World skeptic. Never been there. And Husband says of course we would bring our kids there, it’s a part of being a kid. But I haven’t been convinced of the “magic” until now. Your words are starting to persuade me!
I went to Disneyland a few years ago as an adult without a child. I had reservations same as you and I loved it. I was so charmed by the Small World ride. Was too chicken to get on the really big rides.
I marvel about the man Walt Disney was.
My first trip to Disney World was with Dan and his brothers and their significant others about 11 years ago. We had a lot of fun, but unfortunately, the memory that sticks with me is his oldest brother and his new girlfriend (now wife) making out in line at the it’s a small world ride *cringe* Takes the magic out of it just a little.