What Disneyland is to Me.
Disneyland is so much more than a theme park.
It is everything. It is every childhood memory I have. It is the reason I spend $35 a month on an Annual Pass. It is the thing that I have studied most in my life and is the one subject I know most about. It is the reason I was put down and ridiculed and called Mickey Mouse until I was 15 years old. It is toy soldiers at Christmas, it is the Rocket Rods, the Carousel of Progress, and Captain EO, before we had to tack on the word ‘Tribute’ to the end. It is the left track of the Matterhorn, and the 5th largest fleet of submarines in the world. A parking spot in front of the front gate, before we went on a California Adventure. It is Roger Rabbit and Casey Jr. Mr. Toad and Pinocchio. A ride through an old mine shaft on a rickety old train, and a smooth sail down a river from the wheelhouse. 999 ghosts, and a Zippity Doo Da day. Clam chowder in New Orleans, and Gibson Girl ice cream.
Disneyland is where my parents were engaged and where I was two days after my Nana passed away from cancer. I was there 2 hours after I graduated from high school, and I was there when it turned 50, (Both times: May and July). It’s where I learned how to drive, fly, engineer a steam train, and dream.
Disneyland is every wish, and every dream I’ve ever had. It is the reason I spend $12 on popcorn and $3.25 on a bottle of Coke in the summer, and my free coffee refills all winter long. It is the reason my girlfriend rolls her eyes when I sport mickey ears and a lanyard of shiny pins.
Disneyland is my land. There, my age relives fond memories of the past, and my youth may savor the challenge and promise of tomorrow. It is my source of joy and inspiration.
It may be 68 miles away from my house, but it is forever close to my heart.
Disneyland is not just a theme park, it is who I am.
Moderator note: Words cannot describe how beautiful and eloquent this is. This is what makes me proud to run FuckYeahDisneyland, and each and every one of you make everything that this blog has become and will become possible.
