Do you see the happiness in these faces? We were just getting going at Disneyland and would spend 14 hours here, not leaving until so late that we’d not get back home before 5:00 in the morning. A roadside nap along the way helped, and the next way was grueling, but hey, we’re still kind of young, right?
It’s the holiday season, and Disneyland is a perfect place to visit while the festivities are going on. Add to this that we simply LOVE Disneyland, and there couldn’t be a greater way to ring in the New Year than with a visit to the ocean and The Greatest Place on Earth.
The Tiki Room is now as old as I am, as we were born in the same year, but unlike me, it still looks exactly the same as ever.
Starting about a month before Halloween, the Haunted House is turned into a Nightmare Before Christmas-themed haunted house. It is amazing and usually warrants at least two visits while we’re in the park.
The Jungle Cruise is another favorite. Oh, what the heck? Everything at Disneyland is a favorite, including the woman on my right.
One can never get enough of It’s A Small World, though I think I enjoy it more at night.
It’s a world of laughter
A world of tears
It’s a world of hopes
And a world of fears
There’s so much that we share
That it’s time we’re aware
It’s a small world after all
There’s absolute magic in the eyes of a child who gazes upon these spectacular, otherworldly sights for the first time in their life. They’ve likely never seen anything comparable in their upbringing, and the idea that we are here to play, explore, eat, laugh, and find enchantment without any responsibility is a recipe for creating perfection and indelible memories that last a lifetime, even in many adults.
The contrast of places, the bright colors, and all of our senses being stimulated in multiple different ways truly is the realization of our dreams coming true. Disney was an American genius who allowed children to grow up with hope and adults to remember the joy of being a child.
As I said, there is never enough of It’s a Small World, even if the lines are long.
I suppose twice in one day will have to suffice.
It’s almost sad that so many parents leave as it starts to get dark for dinner or maybe to get their kids to bed on “time.” On the one hand, it is good for us because there’s a noticeable shrinking of crowds and wait times for rides, but then so many children miss the incredible lighting.
More importantly, they miss the fireworks, which are often some of the best displays ever. And who cares how late it is or if the kids are tired? It was about 10:00 p.m. as we left and checked in with our friend Mark Shimer about a place to crash for the night so we could drive home in the morning refreshed; he was obliging and us thankful. What a great New Year’s celebration this has been.