It's 9:30 at night in the dorms, and students are beginning to figure out their plans for the night. Be it studying, socializing, or vegging, it will usually occur in the dorms since most freshmen don't have cars. 9:40 p.m. rolls around and all of the sudden the sound of pops and booms begin to echo through the night. If anyone was curious, he or she could run up to the top of the parking structure and see the source of the gunshot-like sounds: the Disneyland fireworks. At Chapman University, it is possible to see the fireworks at almost any high point on campus. In the city of Orange, the fireworks reverberate through the neighborhoods, an echo of the magical day Disney was bringing to a close. This happens every night like clockwork, unless weather prevents it. The fireworks are only the beginning of the impact the presence of Disneyland, a mere 15 minutes away, has on Chapman University.
One of the first things I learned as a Chapman freshmen was that almost every person on campus has a pass. Everyone knows what you mean when you talk about a "pass," too, since it is such a normal part of life on campus. It became a priority for me, and most of my friends, to get a pass as soon as possible. With the park so close to home, we have the ability to go as often as possible, which means Chapman students go ALL THE TIME. Got some time to kill before your night class? Why not pop over to Disney to watch the parade and grab a quick snack? Nothing to do on a Friday or Saturday night? Well if it isn't a blackout date, then head to Disney for a discounted meal and a fireworks show, maybe even run on over to California Adventures for World of Color. Once the pass is bought, the experience of going to Disneyland can end up being the cheapest and basically free entertainment option for broke college students. For example, I have the Premium Pass, which is the priciest pass since it includes parking and has no blackout dates. After getting my pass on November 15, 2014, I went to Disneyland roughly 20 times in my freshman year. I did the payment plan in order to better manage the price, since passes aren’t cheap, but the cost FAR outweighed the rewards of unforgettable memories.
Not only does Disney deliver a magical experience for Chapman students, they also provide many students with jobs, both during their time at school, and after. A fair number of graduates end up working for the company, as corporate members or as performers in the park. Current students hold a multiplicity of cast member positions, from princesses to food services. The presence of Disneyland offers Chapman students with hundreds of job opportunities that allow them to be a part of the magic. I personally know several cast members of the park and my dream is to one day become one of them. That’s the perk of going to Chapman: just one step away from the Magic Kingdom.
Jobs and convenient fun, especially Disney fun, can have a large sway over some when it comes to deciding whether or not to attend the university. Chapman University is an up-and-coming school, becoming more popular as its name spreads, typically with “Dodge” tacked on at the end. But I wonder if the admissions team at Chapman knows that some students choose to go to Chapman not just because of the quality education they will receive, but because of its close proximity to Disneyland. If they did, I feel like they would use the fact to their advantage. I know I would. Disneyland offers an escape from the gaping unknown that is the future, giving students a break from stressing over schoolwork and fretting about their bank accounts. This is something that Chapman should promote, because not only does the school supply the academics, but its location gives young adults the opportunity to be children once more and build lasting relationships. Chapman University is the perfect place to find the balance on the delicate precipice that is adulthood, all thanks to Disneyland.
As I write this, I can hear the fireworks in the distance bringing the day to a close. So with the pops and booms of Walt Disney’s “kiss good night” reverberating through my apartment, my first home away from my mom, I can think of no better way to end this article. The fireworks serve as a reminder that even though I am venturing into adulthood, there is a kingdom with a mouse waiting for me just a few minutes away.
