What in Disneyland makes you feel like a child?

[KirklandTutu]

Any ride that spins, jerks, drops, flies, or does anything unexpected. I start giggling and laughing and screaming and I feel like a kid again.

 

[DoomBugger]

Walking through the tunnels at the entrances as you pass all the classic style posters for the rides... I love that! The whole place is a kid experience, regarless of the actual age!

 

[Leofoenget]

Just being able to do KID stuff and nobody faults you for doing KID stuff. Wearing mouse ears. Where else can you wear mouse ears and hold a balloon and look perfectly normal?

 

[TripHHH]

Cotton Candy! Me and my 7-year-old daughter shared a bag every night while we watched the parade. It's pure sugar and not something I EVER eat anywhere else....but being at Disneyland and being a kid again myself makes it A-OK!

 

[mystic_path]

Just being able to do KID stuff and nobody faults you for doing KID stuff. Wearing mouse ears. Where else can you wear mouse ears and hold a balloon and look perfectly normal?

Thats so true hey? I was just in the mall today looking at pirate stuff going hmmm what can I bring to the park to wear?

 

[kelmac284]

There are so many magical things about Disney but I'd say when we first get to Anaheim after being gone for awhile we always make a bet as to who will be the first one to see ToT or the Matterhorn. I remember you used to be able to see it from I-5 and that always got me so excited as a kid. That was the first sign that you were getting close. I also remember the big Disneyland sign they used to have on Katella. I miss that sign!

But then as many others have said going under that bridge and looking at the floral mickey also gets me and of course looking down main street to the castle. If I haven't been in awhile it is like coming home. And even though I never went to DL during the holidays as a kid it is now my most favorite time of year to go and it is THE most magical time. I just LOVE to see it all decorated up!

I love walking into Adventureland and feel like I am walking into the jungle. I also love taking a round the trip ride on the train. That is also magical to me. I love seeing the old familiar sights, esp the diorama. It always reminds me of the old days.

SOOOO many fond memories!

 

[mikayla73]

I made my first trip to DL at 31, but I still felt like a kid when my DH and I go.

He grew up in the area and for a while could see the Matterhorn from his kitchen window! Although he didn't get to go much, he has fond memories, so we both get to relive his childhood

I don't think there is any one thing that makes me feel like a kid. It's everything that is happening, the sights, the smells, the people, and characters ... even the rides. I love that it is not weird for an adult (without kids) to go up to a character, still have a great interaction with them, and get your picture taken. I love being at DL, just being there puts a perma-smile on my face

 

[fairycat]

Sadly some of my favorite childhood things are gone, like Country Bear. I also remember the quick run down Main Street straight to Frontierland so that we could get our reservations in to see the Golden Horseshoe. That was my Grandmother's favorite thing in the whole world and we never made a trip to Disneyland without seeing that show.

Going into that theater is so fun and sad, I know the show couldnt go on forever but I wish it would have! I would love to get to see it just one time as an adult. I love that theater, and its well worn stage. Its fun to remember having gotten picked TWO times as a child to be in the show and how they gave me a giant Lollapallooza (the huge Lollipops) for helping them, that our dog ate when I was at school

I also think that now for me the number one thing about DL is the smells. Main Street, POTC, the HM every one has a unique smell that is unique to itself.

I also wanted to add that hearing that Electrical Parade music will take me back to kiddiness faster then anything. That song was a big part of my growing up!

 

[disneymom8589]

I have to agree with other posters who mentioned going through the tunnels, looking at the attraction posters, and walking on to magical Main Street!

 

[Donald's Fan in PHX!]

ahhh, memories...Dumbo, Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, Autotopia. Reminds of the couple of times I went with my family as a little little kid.

 

[kelmac284]

I agree that certain, sights, sounds and esp smells are unique ONLY to DL and once you get there and see, hear or SMELL them you know you are there and you can ONLY experience those things there and only there and and once you DO experience them you know you are home!

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

I don't think that I can put my finger on it but I'll try. lol From the minute I get in line until the minute the trip ends....I leave the "real world" behind. It's the music, the characters, the smells, the food, & alllll of the wonderful little details that Disney pays to everything! I love the excitement that builds in my tummy as I wait in line to enter the parks or for most of the rides. Can't wait until October!

the entire trip, believing in magic and knowing dreams come true from walkin' right down the middle of main street u.s.a to hearing the theme to the electrical parade, there's no feeling like it

 

[AmericanItGirl]

Sadly some of my favorite childhood things are gone, like Country Bear. I also remember the quick run down Main Street straight to Frontierland so that we could get our reservations in to see the Golden Horseshoe. That was my Grandmother's favorite thing in the whole world and we never made a trip to Disneyland without seeing that show.

Going into that theater is so fun and sad, I know the show couldnt go on forever but I wish it would have! I would love to get to see it just one time as an adult. I love that theater, and its well worn stage. Its fun to remember having gotten picked TWO times as a child to be in the show and how they gave me a giant Lollapallooza (the huge Lollipops) for helping them, that our dog ate when I was at school

That show kinda scares me because once my family sat up in one of the upper boxes and a cowboy leaped up and grabbed the edge of the box and I was NOT expecting to see a hand just pop up there.

For me, it's the music, because it's everywhere and the different music is definitive of the different lands and parts of the days. On my last trip, my aunt and I were in line and I went to throw a half-empty cup of coffee away and the music to "Chim Chiminee" came on and I did a heel click in the air impulsively and spilled coffee all over my sweatshirt. I didn't get upset because it was worth it just to do the heel click during the song.

 

[tofubeast]

I grew up with DL, so that park holds many childhood memories. Now I live near WDW....so much of the same "feeling like a child again" instances are similar.

For me, putting on my Mickey ears. Just look at my signature below and you will see me in ears at around age 3. Always a mouseketeer!! Putting on my Mickey ears and entering Main Street....makes me feel like I am with my parents again trying to decide what attraction we should use our "E Ticket" for!

 

[CinderellaPrincess22]

The second I get to the airport to head to DL I get REAL excited.
But the second I arrive at the hotel-BAM!
It hits me and I get teary eyed thinking about the following days.

 

[CinderellaPrincess22]

Especially at night I don't know why but night time in DL is so much more beautiful than day time.
And right about when it gets dark I become a little kid again.

 

[IASWAM]

For me it's the night before we leave. We stay at a hotel near the airport, so we can fly out real early. My brain gets overwhelmed with all the thoughts of what we will do when we get to DL. It's like that commercial for DL with the kids who can't sleep because they are too excited, then the dad admits to the same thing. That's me!

 

[stopher1]

Anything and Everything...especially the Disneyland Railroad going through the Grand Canyon scene or the Haunted Mansion!

Oh my golly - yes, the Grand Canyon is totally a throwback to childhood...I LOVE it. We live in such a fast paced, video/media driven world today - so much more so than when I was a kid. Those simple, static scenes are still terrific today. My kids think they're 'cheesy' - but I don't. They just speak Walt to me. (Plus it reminds me so much of my CM days, since my locker e in the men's locker room was underneath or behind the dinosaur part... I remember so well hearing them while getting into my costume each day. I think I remember reading/hearing that they moved the locker room, not sure where it might be today).

 

[mystic_path]

Something about the castle at night time is so magical. It all being lit up and the music being piped into the air and the laughter of people as the park starts to wind down. I especially love wandering fantasyland at night. To me that just pure Disney magic at its finest.