Today was my 44th trip to Disneyland since getting an Annual Passport last April and it was extraordinarily magical. Perfect weather, not too crowded, and several first-time experiences at the Park. If I were to guesstimate, I would say I've probably been to Disneyland about 100 times in my 29 years of life so the fact alone that I still have first-time experiences is incredible. But that is the magic of Disneyland. The immaculate attention to detail allows even the most seasoned visitor to have a unique and enchanting experience every time they go.
Walt meant it when he said "Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy."
There is something special about that moment when you pass through the tunnel under the railroad track and enter the hustle and bustle of Main Street, USA. It's as though the tunnel is enchanted and all cares and worries are incapable of passing through it. I feel lighter and unburdened within my first few steps out of the tunnel. The tunes and scents emanating from the buildings put a pep in my step and a smile on my face.
My sons, Carter and Hunter, and I have a first-ride-of-the-day tradition-- Star Tours. I love this ride. First off, AMAZING queue. There is so much to look at; I suspect, nay, I KNOW I look like a crazy darty-eyed person. The busted droid graveyard on the right, the screen where all those SW peeps walk by, and my personal favorite to look at, the baggage scanner. So many gems to find inside those suitcases! And don't even get me started on the smell of Star Tours. It is my hope that Heaven will smell like that. The ride itself is Imagineering genius. What better way to keep the guests coming back than have a ride with variety. Not only do you never know what you're going to get, there's also a chance that you will star in the ride as the rebel spy! (Confession corner: 90% of the time, I've gotten Hoth as the first planet AND I've never been selected as the rebel spy... but I haven't lost hope! Ergo, I keep coming back... just like the Imagineers wanted).
On this particularly perfect day, after riding our first-ride-of-the-day tradition ride (Hoth, Leia, Naboo- i.e. BEST PLANET EVER!) we headed over towards Pirates of the Caribbean (henceforth known as POTC). For inquiring minds wondering how our ride selection process works, I'll give you some insight. We go oldest to youngest. I choose, then Carter, then Hunter, rinse and repeat. This oftentimes means that we walk from one side of the Park to the other and back. But as some famous dude once said, "Life's a journey, not a destination." (Was it really Steven Tyler??). Anywho... on our way to POTC... we rounded the corner near the Frontierland Shootin' Exposition when off in the distance, there shone a wooden beacon- The Columbia. It has been a dream of ours to ride this magnificent ship but the timing was never right. Until today. It was freaking awesome. I had no idea they let you go down inside the ship! And as a detail-nerd, I was in Heaven! The boys enjoyed it too.
:)
After that, the beloved POTC. As with the Park as a whole, it is possible to ride this attraction hundreds of times and notice something new each time. After POTC, we decided to go to Main Street for dinner but before we even made it to Tarzan's Treehouse, Hunter had to tie his shoe. So we pulled over to the side and he sat down on the bottom step of the staircase leading up to Disney's Dream Suite. While he was tying his shoe, something caught my eye- the name SIMONS on one of the bricks making up the staircase. Being the Disnerd that I am, my first thought was that I had just discovered a long lost Easter egg. I couldn't wait to get home to investigate.
Only 5 hours at Disneyland today, 3 rides ridden, but so many good memories to stow away! I am so incredibly grateful that I am able to make these wonderful memories, especially with my kids at my side. One of the highlights of each of my trips down Ball Road toward the original Magic Kingdom is to take a gander at the Ganahl Lumber Yard sign. This particular GLY posts different things (quotes, jokes, etc.) on their sign (daily?). I never miss it but today I did. Luckily, I realized that I had forgotten to read it before I passed it on the way home. Today's quote, "Love is a game that two can play and both win." Amen.
On my drive home, I realized how important these memories are, no matter how everyday they seem. So I decided that I would immortalize them in the form of this blog. There is so much to glean not only from the experiences at Disneyland but also the attractions themselves. My goal from this point forward is to take some time after each visit and reflect on the trip in order to share the most profound life lesson that I learned that day. This trip:
Sailing Ship Columbia
The best word I can use to describe my time on the Columbia is "peaceful." The soft ripples in the water, the wind blowing through the trees, the animatronic deer grazing on the vegetation. It was all just very peaceful. In the semi-chaotic life I lead, peaceful moments such as these are few and far between. The Sailing Ship Columbia reminds me to embrace these moments and even make time for them. To fully experience the sights, sounds, and smells of these quiet moments.
I almost forgot! I DID Google about the SIMONS brick mystery and this is what I learned... Not as exciting of a Disney mystery as I had hoped for but interesting nonetheless.
