Happiest Indeed

I sit here, knowing that in a little over a week, my Disneyland pass will need to be renewed. I am happy to renew my pass. Very happy. Having lived in the O.C. for pretty much all of my life, Disneyland has become something of a routine for me. It would be like people in New York City no longer being able to see the Statue of Liberty in the harbor. That is what having Disneyland in my life has meant to me. I don't know what I would do without it. I really don't.

There are so many things that appeal to me about this place it would take three posts to accurately describe my feelings. So I will give my top five things that I love about going there and taking part in being at the happiest place on earth.

Before I get to what I love, I will discuss what I don't love that way I end on a positive note. There are only three things I don't like: Price of food. Come on, let's be a little fair about this. The Parking lot.... ugh, getting in an out is somewhat a nightmare, but where is that a not a problem? And lastly, how crowded Indiana Jones can get. Come on, the ride isn't that good.

Now, onto what I love.
1. The Haunted Mansion. I tell you no matter how many times I have been on it, and I have been on it many times in my lifetime, it never gets old or loses it's appeal. I love standing in line for that ride, especially at night. The lights, the music, all of it make the ride worth waiting for. I am not a fan of the Nightmare before Christmas, in fact, it is the only movie that I have ever walked out of, but when it is the theme for the ride, I enjoy it. I like it. The ride as a whole, may be my favorite and I enjoy every second that I am there.

2. Space Mountain. Who doesn't love the thrill of this ride? In the dark, fast speeds, hard turns, unsuspecting drops, this may be the best roller coaster I have ever been on. Thank the Good Lord for fast pass because it allows you go and do other things and then come back so that you only have to endure about fifteen minutes worth of waiting. Life is pretty good when you come off this ride and you truly do wish that you could do it all over again.

3. The natural ambiance. This is just a pleasant place to be. It's clean, the people there are usually friendly and the workers there make the day fun and worth it. Every ride has something unique to offer whether you're in line at Star Tours, The Tower of Terror, or Soaring over California learning about the history of aviation, you always have a good time while you are waiting to go on a ride. Even if you're not in line and you're walking between lands or going up main street, there's a good chance you will see a character posing for pictures or you will see something else that simply dazzles you.

4. Toy Story Mania. Any ride where you get to be involved is a good one. I love Buzz Lightyear and look forward to that every time, but Toy Story Mania is something different. I don't know how to describe it, but even though you know you're shooting at a screen, you feel as though you're really in the setting for which the game is taking place. The wind effects or sprays give the ride that something special so that when you're off it, you feel like that was a time well spent, and like so many others, you can't wait to do it again.

5. Pirates of the Caribbean. This ride or attraction has some of the best animatronics or robotic effects that I have ever seen, and it's an old ride, so this technology has really lived up to its hype and has delivered. The ride is smooth, fun, and even though you get annoyed with the song after the fifth loop, you still enjoy the experience. You feel part of the new movie experience they have done to the ride adding Jack Sparrow, Barbosa, and Davey Jones. Going through the town after the battle at sea, you really see the attention to detail the ride creators were going for.

That happiest place indeed. There are so many wonderful things about this place, that for those out there who have yet to feel what I have described, your time is coming. Savor it. Live it up. Make a memory.

I did. I proposed to my wife there. Right in front of the castle. It's a magical place and no matter what your age is, when you walk through that turn style and you enter the magic kingdom, you will feel like you've entered the place you were always meant to live in... once you're there, happiness will feel like an eternity. Don't believe me? See for yourself.

Until next time
P