I hop off the shuttle, heart fluttering, ready to return to my favorite place, a land of nostalgia, a home away from home. Nothing could wipe the smile off my face as I pass through the familiar route to the front gates. When we reach the security tent, I know the drill. I take off my bag and smile uncontrollably at the security person, who returns an amused smile to me. I’m almost there!
I hear it before I see it. Happy tunes from beloved movies and rides all blended into a lovely score. Finally, I see those beautiful green gates, open and waiting for me. I hurriedly pull out my ticket, and hand it to the cheery old man ready to scan it. Then that wonderful little whistle sound lets both of us know it is finally my turn to go in.
Once through the gate I am caught in the tension between standing here for hours and savoring the magic and running down Main Street to my favorite rides. Somehow I find a happy medium, jaunting down the bright red bricks, waving to Mickey Mouse, and annoyingly pointing out hidden Mickeys and backstories to the names on the windows along Main Street to whoever I came with.
Then comes the glorious moment when I realize I am in a place of magic. I see the beautiful, pinkish, blueish castle standing at the middle of the park. It is all at once regal and magical, and humble and charming. With childlike awe, I feel like I can’t open my eyes wide enough to take in all the wonder around me.
Disneyland truly brings out the child and the dreamer in me…
