Last Novemberย my family finally got to check off something that is on every Disneyphileโs bucket-list, a visit to Disneylandยฎ Resort in Anaheim.
It was amazing.
We got to walk in Waltโs footsteps down Main Street, U.S.A. We were able to see the bench that Walt sat on when he โdreamed upโ this magical place while sitting in Griffith Park. We rode a loop around Disneylandยฎ Park in the Lilly Belleย train car. We were able to see the small Christmas tree lit in the window of Waltโs apartment over the Disneyland Fire Dept.
For a Disney nerd like me, it was all so surreal.
We spent 7 days at Disneylandยฎ Resort; immersed in Disneylandยฎ Park, Disney California Adventureยฎ Park, Downtown Disneyยฎ District and the resorts. Weย took a back-stage tour in Disneylandยฎ Parkย and enjoyed an amazing dining experience at Carthay Circle Restaurant. As an agency we evenย had private access to Cars Land and Radiator Springs Racers prior to the park opening one morning.
It was a dream trip.
Of all of the amazing experiences we had, by far my favorite moment of the trip was sitting on the ground, as a family, in Disney California Adventureยฎ Parkย eating dinner next to a row of dirty strollers.
It was magical.
Disney California Adventureยฎ Parkย has a remarkable show called World of Color. It is a fantastic display of lights, water, projection and fire; all orchestrated in a way only Disney Destinations can do. The best seats in the house are reserved for FastPass holders for the show, and beyond the FastPass viewing areas the seats with views are very limited.
To ensure that we had the best spot possible without a FastPass, we set up camp about an hour and a half prior to the show in a stroller โparking lotโ. Once we set up camp, I trekked across the park to hunt down and drag home โsupperโ for my family.
Up until this point our entire trip had been non-stop. Meals were rushed. Bathroom breaks were rushed. Snacks were rushed. All in a pursuit of conquering all that we could while we were at Disneyland.
Micah on the PierSo, following 7 days of intensity, here we sat as a family, dining on paper plates with plastic utensilsโฆon the groundโฆin the middle of a theme park. This was our last night at Disneylandยฎ Resort.
Our view consisted of the white rails in front of us, the dirty strollers beside us, and the knees and shins of other families pushing on with the same intensity we used all week.
We were together. We were talking and reflecting. We were still.
It was good, it was real good.
As we talked, we all recollected our favorite things weโd seen or done over the week. Micah, our five year old, was very quick to announce that sitting on the ground eating together was one of his favorite โthingsโ we did on our trip.
We exposed him to so many things that many five year olds would have loved to have done. He was on a โonce in a lifetimeโ trip by many familiesโ standards. He met the Fab 5, he rode all the rides he wanted, he drank way too much coke and ate way too much sugar.
Still, his standout, was sitting on the ground, as a family. Eating. Sharing. Laughing.
It was ours too.
The entertainment and magic of a Disney Destination vacation is undeniable…but the treasured memories families make together every day at Disney Destinations are priceless.
Our Magic Makersยฎ are eager to help you create a lifetime of magical memories with your family and friends, too!
By Kyle Froman, Director of Marketing and Agent Care
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