Disneyland is for everyone, but not everyone enjoys it in the same way. Last year, on our kids’ first trip to Disneyland, we made an important discovery: kids enjoy different things than we do. This is no less true at Disneyland than in the rest of life. (You enjoy that gourmet meal, but the kids are great with mac and cheese for the fifth night in a row!) As an older child, teen and ABC (Adult Before Children – I just made that up – like it?), I was all about the rides, or as Disney prefers, “attractions.” The goal, particularly as an adult appreciating a few days away from work and trying to cram as much in as possible, was going on my favorite attractions again and again and again. Once, my wife and I went on Splash Mountain 7 or 8 times in 2 days, during a very busy weekend in the park. How we managed it was by getting lucky and going 5 times in a row during the late Fantasmic! showing.
Our children, ages 1 and 4 last year, were not really old enough for many attractions, so rides were not the biggest part of their Disney adventure. They liked them, for certain, but even more, they loved the characters and the parades, and even their favorite “rides” were character-based (Buzz Lightyear, Winnie the Pooh). Our son totally delighted in getting autographs and pictures taken with all of his favorites, and made it a mission to find characters he’d never even heard of before. Both kids loved the parades – the larger than life characters, floats and music. I couldn’t remember ever in my life slowing down long enough to watch a full parade, other than the Main Street Electrical Street Parade. Seeing this part of the Disney experience through my children’s eyes was refreshing and magical. Watching the sparkle in my son’s eyes as he met Disney princesses was heartwarming beyond belief. Slowing down to enjoy what I’d previously considered only peripheral aspects of Disneyland has changed my entire way of experiencing the park.
Sure, I still MUST go on Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Haunted Mansion, but now I see the benefits of sitting down on the curb to enjoy the parade, or rushing over to take advantage of a photo opp. with Mickey, or just feeding the ducks down by the Hungry Bear Restaurant. It’s all part of the magic and there is no “right way” to enjoy Disneyland. If you find yourself frazzled and not enjoying yourself, stop where you are, alter your plans a bit, and just enjoy what is around you. Maybe you’ll discover the Penny Arcade that you’d never stepped into in your rush to get to Indiana Jones, or a little table in New Orleans Square where you can sip on a mint julep and listen to some live jazz. Soak up what’s around you and you are sure to have a good time.
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