I have been looking at this blank page for a few seconds now and I still don't know how to begin. Perhaps it's because, whenever I think about that magical day, trust me, my eyes still show a warm glint as if it just happened yesterday.
Disneyland is called "The Happiest Place On Earth" for so many reasons and I cannot count or name them all. Truly, the people who designed the place had the "young ones" and the "young once" in mind. This is what dreams are made of...
This day was extra special for me because I grew up watching Disney Channel. You see, I'm not the kid who played outside a lot, I was a homebody who knows all the Disney songs and characters and plots by heart. Anybody who knows me a lot knows that Ariel is my favorite childhood character and I dream of being a mermaid. Actually, I still believe in mermaids (don't look at me).
And so, it was a no brainer that going to Disneyland is, as cliched as it may sound, a "dream come true."
I mean, just look at my face...
And that's just at the theme park entrance!
Getting lined up to get our pre-booked tickets!
The world of "yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy" indeed...
Our first stop was the PhilharMagic. I was not able to take a photo because I was too excited to get inside. Anyway, the PhilharMagic is a 4D theater which effects include periodic smokes, drops of water, scent and all that shebang. So Imagine how amazed I was when it suddenly smelled like cinnamon when "Be Our Guest" was being played and when droplets of water fell down my face when Ariel was singing "Part of Your World."
Just a little (very very very little!) disappointment was we were greeted with Sleeping Beauty's castle, the centerpiece of Disneyland, looking like this...
The main building of the castle, during our visit, was undergoing some maintenance and so it was covered by a board up with a castle illustration, and so you couldn't really see the real structure, only the cover up. Anyway, I didn't let that get in the way and still took photos as if the real castle was behind me. Good thing it was winter and so the fog was thick so the board up wasn't all that obvs!
It's a Small World After All... where everything is tiny, and you are a giant.
Dolls... Dolls everywhere...
Golden Mickey Theater.
And the best ride everrrrrrrr!!!! SPACE MOUNTAIN!
The much-awaited Disney afternoon parade.
I was also one of the very lucky few who scored the limited tickets to meet and greet Elsa and Anna!
A magical kiss at the most magical place!
The enchanting Paint the Night Parade.
Everything was glowing, and bright, and amazing and I can't keep my mouth shut for gasping in awe! I keep pointing to all the characters as they pass by as if Raf doesn't know them. "Look at Tinkerbell!!!" I was such a hoot! LOL.
And then she came out...
My childhood heroine, my forever favorite cartoon character... No introductions needed for the princess of the ocean. We all know her.
I cried. No, I literally cried. Raf enjoyed that moment so much that she keep telling everyone the story of how I cried upon seeing glowing Ariel. I am not embarrassed.
And then finally, to wrap up a day of festivity, Disneyland captured the hearts of thousands with the fireworks show that simply left me smitten. I didn't take a video because I honestly, believe that this kind of spectacle deserves to be seen with one's naked eyes and not through a gadget's screen.
