My Experience at Disneyland This Year.

There is no place as nostalgic for me as Disneyland. During my 32 years of life, I have probably been there almost two dozen times. However, the magic never gets old.

 This iteration, I elected to go with two of my very best friends, Christina and Anthony. We spent a record-breaking twelve hours in the park last Thursday. When we first arrived, it was virtually empty, but by the time we left, the crowd size had swelled markedly. One highlight for me that day was being able to basically walk onto my new favorite ride, The Matterhorn.

 During this particular trip, I noticed that, while much of Disney has stayed the same, much has also changed since the days when I was a child. They now have an iPhone app that gives users live ride wait times, lets visitors purchase merchandise, and allows food to be pre-ordered. Additionally, the park now features a section known as “Star Wars Land.”

 There were two things that I neglected to do last time I was at Disney, and made sure to do this time: number one, purchase a piece of Disneyland souvenir clothing, and, number two, try one of the colored vegan Star Wars “milks.” This just goes to show that you can have anything you want in this life, as long as you are willing to be patient and to work for it. I know that these examples are relatively minor and mundane, but the message imparted, for me, will always remain the same.

 Every time I contemplate going on the intergalactic rollercoaster known as Space Mountain, I without question get nervous. Oftentimes while I am in line, the trepidation will build, until I finally board the coaster and end up surprising myself by having an incredibly enjoyable time. Anthony sometimes will push me to go on rides that I perceive as being out of my comfort zone, and I almost always end up feeling grateful to him for inspiring me to face one of my ultimate fears.

 Back when I was a youth, if you had asked me what my favorite ride at Disneyland was, I would have instantly told you that it was It’s a Small World. If you had to encapsulate my childhood into one attraction, that would be it. I greatly look forward to taking my future kids on that ride one day. The message is just so inclusive, and so inspiring. As I type this post, I can hear the “Small World” theme song playing on repeat in my head.

 Whenever I am at Disney, I think of family, of friends, and of fun. Back when my late grandmother was still with us, we used to frequently pass the time at her house by playing Disneyland Monopoly together. I almost always won, and she preferred things that way. In comparison, going to Disney is always also a win. I cannot name one truly negative experience that I have ever had there, and I cannot think of anyone who has really and honestly told me that they do not like the rides offered. Out of all the theme parks that I have ever been to in my life, Disneyland most definitely has to be my absolute favorite.

Me with friends in front of the It's a Small World ride at Disneyland.