I too have a deep love for the magical destination. In fact, as I write this article, I am on a flight to LAX ready to enter the park come morning. I'm in much need for a break from “real” life and am ready to find some rest walking down main street.
I’m writing to you because you understand what I’m talking about. You understand why I love this park so much. It does something for us that not much else has been able to do. It alters reality in a way that brings out the inner child. Inside those gates, something magical happens. Everything else on the outside pauses, and I forget about other areas of life. I become inspired, my imagination runs wild, adrenaline takes over on rides such as Tower of Terror --may it rest in peace-- and I relax in the manufactured happiness.
Sixty years ago, a man named Walt Disney took a dream and made it a reality. It became a reality that adults and children alike could experience, enjoy and run free. For us who willingly grew up immersed in Disney, how could this not be appealing?
But, where does this deep love come from? Why do we end up having this borderline obsession with something that is so temporary? Us who love the park with a deep love become giddy with any new piece of trivia that is offered, we become professionals at being able to maneuver and read crowds, we follow Disney food blogs, we become star struck when we see humans dressed as fictional characters, we know the latest news on any land, ride or show, we know the history behind the silliest of details, and we have studied the Hidden Mickey locations.
I think the answer is simple. It is because this park is as close to magic we can humanly get to. It offers an escape, it provides one of the most researched based solution to fun we have found, and it meets all of our five senses in a pleasurable way a majority of the time. I love it, I’m thankful for it, and so are you.
I will say this to you though, partly because I need to hear it. As wonderful and magical Disneyland is, it’s not everything. It doesn’t actually magically take away the grueling promises of reality. It’s not a solution to the hardships of life, and it won’t fix whatever is going on outside the magical gates. Honestly, I don’t think we have to read into any more than this. Just remember to keep a healthy perspective of those few acres of old orange grove in Anaheim, California.
So, my friend, who loves the park as much (or more) as I do, keep enjoying it. There is nothing wrong with loving what it has to offer. Make positive memories, eat delicious food, ride all the rides, experience Frozen at the Hyperion, and search for Hidden Mickeys all day long. But, head my warning. The park is not a solution to brokenness, and it is not a fix for hardships of life. It is a place to temporarily have fun, and a good one at that.
