I went to California recently, and I, of course, went to Disneyland. It was my third time visiting, and I was super excited to go. But as I walked around the park, taking in the smell of churros and the sound of cheery music, I began to wonder if Disneyland really was the happiest place on Earth.
As you walk in, you can already feel the magic of Disney. When I went through security, a worker told me to “Have a good day, your Highness," and that made me feel special.
Seeing the Disneyland sign as soon as I walked in made me feel like a kid all over again. But then I saw the line to take photos in front of it. It made me feel weird as if they want to take a photo in front of the sign was genuine or not. Was it a memento for the family, or something for the parents to post on social media, letting everyone know that they took a trip to Disneyland?
Depending on the worker I interacted with, it seemed as though they were genuinely happy to be there, or that it was just another day of work for them. I saw more of the workers that I thought weren't genuinely happy to be there, but it could've been an off day for them. I mean, it's hard to seem happy all the time, even if you work at the happiest place on Earth.
As a kid, I always thought that Disneyland was perfect. It had everything fun for me, I could meet all the princesses, and the lines weren't very long. Then again, I went when I was five and it was a rainy day in late February. Disneyland nowadays has seemed to find a way to always have the park busy, no matter the time of year. When I've been back as an adult, the lines are always long, and the park is very crowded. I would think that it's hard for anyone to stay happy if they have to wait in long, crowded lines anytime they visit.
One thing that doesn't make me feel very happy about Disneyland is the prices. It's expensive to get in, a hat cost me $30 and a churro was five dollars. My wallet wasn't happy about that, and neither did I.
When I did see the princesses, I hoped that they were happy working there. I can't imagine the pressure that they feel to always look their best and be happy. But then again, why would you want to work at Disneyland if it didn't make you happy?
As a thrill seeker, I love the rollercoaster rides at Disneyland. Those make me happy. I love going on Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, and Space Mountain since they all have big drops. They give me immediate satisfaction, and I feel on top of the world afterward.
All in all, the workers do a good job of keeping the magic alive, regardless if they're happy or not. I felt like a kid when I went this past time, and I'm sure I'll feel like that again, the next time I visit.
