I escape to Disneyland quite a bit, and my kids don't mind at all. Disneyland is in a city (Anaheim) within that city (Los Angeles County, or is it just the OC these days) that used to have orange groves far as the eye can see. Now it's densely populated, industrial, and close enough to the ocean and Hollywood to still hold a classic identity, but Anaheim is really known for one thing only - Mickey Mouse. You see, the smog from L.A. hangs around, there are always TONS of people at Disneyland, although sometimes you get lucky, and outside of Disneyland, there isn't much to look at except for lots of cement highways, big hotels, and mountains to the east, if it's a clear day. But when I walk through the gates to Disneyland, I'm no longer in Anaheim, or L.A., the urban jungle. I am in the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH, honestly, I'm waking into a fairy tale book. My kids have adapted this temporary illusion from me, as if it had been in their gene pool for hundreds of years. Below is a picture of Zoe, discovering surfboards that move and water that squirts up from the ground, and she is somewhere around age 2. Those are pants I got on sale in the CWD catalog, sandals from Target waiting for her little sister Melia (who wasn't even a thought when this pic was taken) to inherit, and, hmmm, I don't know what happened to the shirt she's wearing but it said ANGEL in rhinestones. But her delight is evident, and I promise, I was wearing the same breathless smile while I snapped that pic. It was a cooler summer evening after a hot August day at DCA (Disney's California Adventure), and we'd been swimming at the hotel. Disneyland is a merchandise trap, selling overpriced food that's bad for you, and somewhat of an empire that makes annoying, implausible shows and homogenized starlets. But Disneyland is also something else; it's that escape that provides togetherness and jolts of unparalleled excitement. None of us can wait to go back. Well, all of us except for my husband, the crowds-hater, but that's why they sell Corona at the hotel pool (and he won't admit it, but hubby seeks out the walk around Goofy character every time we're there).
Karrie started this. I like the idea.
Disney truly is magical. We were there last fall and couldn't believe that we could spend the whole day at the Magic Kingdom and not see even ONE crying child. I think they pump something into the air....
ReplyDeleteFunny how the 6th photo in the 6th folder can be so great...for everyone. Magic number? Does it matter???
ReplyDeleteHow fun! I agree - Disney is magical. I grew up in Florida going to to Disney World all the time (or Key West!) and even though my parents are older now, they still go a couple times a year. Zoe is such a doll :)
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