What makes Disneyland a happy place for you?

[Tasscrapper]

I will be in Disneyland on February 1st and am so excited to go back. My mom passed away mid November after a battle with cancer and my family went to Disneyland the first week of December. It was a first for all of our kids and really was a magical time. It was like a week long break from an overwhelming sadness. When we had originally planned the trip grandma was possibly going to go with us but as she deteriorated we knew she wouldn't. Even so in my head Disneyland is now my happy place. My place where I can leave sadness and stress outside those gates and just be able to smile and laugh. I was thinking about it today (after much giggling with my brother who is coming with this trip) and wondering why is it such a happy place? Is it the characters that are always smiling or for that matter the cast members that are doing the same. Is it the rides that thrill or remind us of movies we grew up with and easier times? Is it all the extras like the Aladin show or things like playing musical chairs? Is it all the tiny details that surround you no matter where you are?

For me I just can't decide but I am sure in need of a little of whatever it is. So, what makes Disneyland a happy place for you?

 

[BrerFox]

It sounds cliche, but there is something magical in the air. I have only been there once, but when you are there you just have this feeling in your heart that can only be described as joy. Everyone there is so happy, and my favourite thing is the wonderful rides.

There is so much detail in the park, it just stimulates all the senses. When I left I felt very depressed. I guess in a way it is sad that we need to create an artificial land to escape our reality, but it is definitely special in there.

I love it. It truly is magical in DL.

:

 

[pixiewings71]

I will be in Disneyland on February 1st and am so excited to go back. My mom passed away mid November after a battle with cancer and my family went to Disneyland the first week of December. It was a first for all of our kids and really was a magical time. It was like a week long break from an overwhelming sadness. When we had originally planned the trip grandma was possibly going to go with us but as she deteriorated we knew she wouldn't. Even so in my head Disneyland is now my happy place. My place where I can leave sadness and stress outside those gates and just be able to smile and laugh. I was thinking about it today (after much giggling with my brother who is coming with this trip) and wondering why is it such a happy place? Is it the characters that are always smiling or for that matter the cast members that are doing the same. Is it the rides that thrill or remind us of movies we grew up with and easier times? Is it all the extras like the Aladin show or things like playing musical chairs? Is it all the tiny details that surround you no matter where you are?

For me I just can't decide but I am sure in need of a little of whatever it is. So, what makes Disneyland a happy place for you?

I'm sorry for your loss. What I highlighted in your post is what makes it my happy place.

 

[kkmcan]

Disneyland is my happy place because as the days go by and we get closer to our next trip (tomorrow!!!) I start dancing around the house and singing ride songs to the kids. I feel like I could jump out of my skin, I'm so excited.

Strolling thru the streets I feel like a kid, no care in the world except what ride we will go on next, what treat I'll try, what show I"m looking forward to and on and on and on.

 

[permanentlyengaged]

For me, it's the opportunity to feel and act like a kid -- something I was not allowed to do when I WAS a kid. (Such frivolity was not tolerated.) To me, it is a magical place that truly lightens my heart. It is complete submersion (for all the senses) in an atmosphere of happiness. To quote another DisBoarder: "You're never too old to have a happy childhood." That's what I'll be doing in less than two weeks. At the ripe old age of 47, I'll be having a happy childhood for 4 wonderful days!

 

[stampinshauna]

I'm not sure exactly what makes it my happy place, but it is just the happy feeling when I am there.

I feel more like a kid
The music makes me happy, especially on Main Street and in Splash Mountain
Past trip memories make me happy
Being with the people who are with me there
Yummy snacks make me happy
Getting away from everyday life makes me happy

 

[Brian Shepherd]

I'm not sure exactly what makes it my happy place, but it is just the happy feeling when I am there.

I feel more like a kid
The music makes me happy, especially on Main Street and in Splash Mountain
Past trip memories make me happy
Being with the people who are with me there
Yummy snacks make me happy
Getting away from everyday life makes me happy

I LOVE THE MAIN STREET MUSIC, IT JUST GETS YOU IN THE RIGHT MOOD
CLICK HERE FOR MUSIC LINK

 

[mystic_path]

I LOVE THE MAIN STREET MUSIC, IT JUST GETS YOU IN THE RIGHT MOOD

Yep some how I agree with this... Love the Main Street music... specially when it greets you as you walk through the park. Its so upbeat and happy and it puts you in that feel good mood that you are gonna stay in all day. But also seeing so many happy people laughing, smiling and the kids in total awe of everything just makes you feel like an 8 year old.

 

[disneymom8589]

I am sorry for the loss of your mother. I'm glad DL could provide a little sunshine in the midst of your sadness.

Like many people, walking through the tunnel onto Main Street seems to make the "real world" disappear, even for a short time. It's such a joyful place where you feel like you can leave cares and worries behind. It is a delight for the 5 senses!!

DL will always hold a special place in our hearts as our DD got engaged there last month in front of the castle with both families present! It is something I will always remember and treasure!

 

[deletedpenguin]

I find it's a place where you can just unwind, forget about your daily stresses and "real life" and have fun. Especially at night, it becomes very cozy and embracing.

 

[tzuhouse]

DL, I can't answer since we won't be there for another week, but WDW...

I realized a few months ago that when I was little, growing up in an alcoholic home where there was no decent vibes, let alone magical ones, that I would imagine Santa. I remember imagining what the village would be like and the feelings that I would have. Pure joy and new things around every corner.

I think that's why I like WDW so much. It gives me those feelings that I imagined as a child.

Mary

 

[IBLarsen]

I too feel the same as many others have already posted. It really is hard to explain what makes Disneyland so Magical! I have been to other vacation spots (ei, Cancun, Jamaica, etc), in which I have escaped the daily stress; however being to Disneyland only once (recently) is my favorite vacation yet. As so many of you Diser's know, even the planning stages are exciting and make you happy. I would probably agree with the 'being a kid' mentality that others have described. As a child I always dreamed of Disneyland and never was able to go, it was always a promise and a dream that was never fulfillled. DH and I took our two little ones for the first time and it was not dissappointing. It was as I had always dreamed of it as a child. It truly is a HAPPY Place! And being able to share the Disney experience with my own children and giving them that magic that eluded my childhood makes it MY happy place. Disneyland is one of the rare places where Children and Adults of all ages can share equal amounts of joy from. Being in the park just really does make you happy and giddy and excited......and feeling like a kid again!

 

[iKristin]

Disneyland just makes me super happy and excited when I go. I feel like I'm a little kid every single time. It is definitely my happy place. No place else makes me feel like Disneyland does. Even when I'm not there, just thinking about it makes me get excitedly squirmy in my tummy and makes me smile!!

 

[BrerFox]

I'm not sure exactly what makes it my happy place, but it is just the happy feeling when I am there.

I feel more like a kid
The music makes me happy, especially on Main Street and in Splash Mountain
Past trip memories make me happy
Being with the people who are with me there
Yummy snacks make me happy
Getting away from everyday life makes me happy

Yes! The Main Street Music gets you into the mood, and the Splash music ROCKS! I love that ride so much.

Why don't you take me along...

 

[LOVEDISNEYLAND]

For me it's being able to enjoy quality time with my husband in our most favorite place and leaving all the worries of life at home behind. The most magical part is hearing the music as you enter through the gates it makes me feel like a kid again. I just get so excited! This is the moment you know that your vacation has officially begun.

 

[KCmike]

Our very first time there was two years ago. We were at the rope drop for our first day at DL and we ran towards Fantasyland (specifically Peter Pan) and the music they played as the rope drop was "welcome to our family time" and it just seemed like we were in a commercial. It was perfect. At the end of the day we fell in love with California and DL. Now we keep coming back.

 

[kikiq]

Disneyland is a happy place for both my DH and me. I think it's the music as we walk in the gates and down Main Street. My DH says standing in front of the Partners statue and hearing the music takes all the stress away for him. He's fortunate enough to do some contractor work for Disney and he loves coming into the park early morning before the guests arrive, no one on Main Street and walking toward the castle. He says it makes him feel Walt is walking with him. My happy place is sitting along the Rivers of America watching the families especially hearing little ones talk about meeting their favorite characters. It's the magic of their smiling eyes, just love it.
We love it so much that you can find us there every week on our date night.

 

[disneylove_90]

i basically grew up at Disneyland. so it brings back all those memories. it's just a happy place, while i'm there nothing outside of Disneyland matters. the rest of the world seems to be blocked out

 

[JollyHoliday23]

It's one of the only places I don't mind waiting in line. I always go with my mom and it has been our thing for years so that makes it special. I love waking up early and getting ready at the hotel...again one of the ONLY times I'm a morning person is on a Disney vacation...and then going to line up about 45 minutes before park opening. The fun anticipation on the first day of vacation there. Just waiting to hear the ticket machine do the magical noises...does that make sense? Something happens as soon as they open the gates and you walk through the tunnel (always the left). *sigh* I think it's pretty much everything. Haha.

 

[deletedpenguin]

My happy place is sitting along the Rivers of America watching the families especially hearing little ones talk about meeting their favorite characters. It's the magic of their smiling eyes, just love it.

That IS a special part of things, I agree. While I haven't had the chance to go with my own kids (I have yet to have any), I do look forward to the day where i can take them. In the meantime, I'll keep borrowing my cousins. It's fun seeing it all again through the eyes of a child.