Postcard From The Future: Walking Through The Magic Of Disneyland

The long walk up to Disneyland’s ticket booth and bag check will be buzzing with excitement. Eager children, unable to contain their elation, bouncing and jumping here and there, getting into spontaneous games of tag. 

Young adults, wearing their custom-made, Etsy purchased mouse ears. 

Families with strollers the size of SUVs and equally packed with supplies for the adventure ahead. 

In that mix, my daughter, eyes full of enchantment and thrill, my wife and myself

Disneyland has always held an air of intangibility to it. As a child, Disneyland was as real as dragons or unicorns. Going there was as likely as going to Jurassic Park or getting a selfie with the Loch Ness Monster holding a sign with my name plastered on it.

As an adult, I’ve twice had the privilege of walking the hallowed grounds of Disneyland, located in the tempered climate of Anaheim, California. Both times were an absolute delight and magnificent. 

I first got to experience the charm of the magical mouse lands as a young adult (in my custom-made and equal amounts dorky and awesome mouse ears) with my wife’s incredible family. I got to experience the most enchanted place on Earth, the place that seemed impossible to ever reach, with my future in-laws and best friend.

It was resplendent.

Reliving my first trip in my mind is something I do often, in times when the world is full of uncertainties, and especially when things like global pandemics make it impossible to visit physically.

On that inaugural pilgrimage, we storm the promenade that leads you to the charming and homie Main Street USA. Cut right at Fantasyland, where the shops and stores are just starting to open. 

We walk through the empty and snaking queue of the Matterhorn Bobsleds. The Magic Morning pass allows us all-access to the park one hour earlier than the other guests that day. We get to go through the winding and yeti-filled twist and turn of the Matterhorn over a dozen consecutive times. 

Once we’ve had our fill of yetis and the cold expedition of the Alps roller coaster, we turn our attention to the future.

Tomorrowland is our next stop.

The churro stands, now in full force, tempt us to deviate from our mission statement but we don’t falter. We pass by Nemo’s lake and the submarine that will eventually take us to the bottom of the Pacific to visit him and his pals later in this adventure. 

As we climb the ramp leading to our spaceship, located at the top of Space Mountain, we see the crowd levels begin to swell. Even with the crowds steadily growing around us, we’re still able to make half a dozen trips through the corkscrewing blackness that leads the way to the photoshoot at the end of our space travels.

By mid-day, every attraction is brimming with guests. 

We Journey past Walt Disney holding Mickey Mouse’s hand. In between the masses of crowds all acquiring images of these two icon’s statue, I snap a picture of my future wife and my best friend (her older sister) mimicking the pose Walt and Mickey are holding. My best friend in the role of Mickey and my wife playing Walt.

A tradition is born.

Once we get through the sea of people, we stroll past the Rivers of America and Mark Twain himself before grabbing lunch, (Monte Cristos and 24 beignets) at the ornate Cafe Orleans, decked with colorfully painted walls, detailed balcony railings, and plenty of fleurs-de-lis.

After many more rides and miles and miles of walking, we end our day back where it started.

We head through the busy and packed streets of Main Street USA. Slipping through groups stopped to take photos of the beautifully lit Cinderella’s Castle, ducking under arms and inadvertently photobombing family photos.

We find a spot on the promenade that’s not too crowded.

A clear view of the starry night sky above us is the perfect vantage point. As we gaze upon the coruscating firework show, I feel as though I’ve managed to snap that picture of the Loch Ness Monster after all.

There’s much I don’t know in this world.

One thing I do know, that these memories are a few that I’ll cherish until the end of time.

When we are able to return and share in the magic that Disneyland truly holds, I think I’ll add an extra day or two on the trip. An extra day of smiles and memories with my wife and daughter to help me get through times when the world is full of unknowns.

Disneyland Park

Where: Anaheim, California

What: Explore worlds in the magic of Disney films and shows. This unique theme park has rides for anyone and everyone with more food options than you could ever imagine.

Status: Open for California residents only.

Official website: Disneyland.disney.go.com

Best way to get there: Fly into one of the area airports. The closest two airports are Long Beach which is 15 miles away and John Wayne International Airport which is 13 miles away.

Admission: Depending on your stay, ticket prices vary. Typically, one-park tickets cost $124-154 for those ages 10+ and $124-$139 for children ages 3-9. The ability to add the California Adventure theme park ticket would be $55 extra to each ticket purchased. Children 3 and younger are free to enter either park with a ticketed adult.

Where to stay: For the most immersive experience it’s recommended to “stay in the magic” at one of the three resort hotels on the property. The most bang for your buck would be to stay at one of the neighboring “sister” hotels that have shuttles running all day to take guests to and from the park.

Great times to visit: The holidays are a little more enchanting in the magic kingdom. Visiting during October, November, or December, gives guests a chance to see Disneyland decorated in all its majesty for Halloween and Christmas. If you’re looking for a less full park, the Disney “off-season” is during the late winter months of February and March.