“To all who come to this happy place – welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, dreams and the hard facts that have created America… with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.”
-Walter E. Disney, July 17, 1955

My mother grew up about 20 minutes away from Walt Disney World in Florida. For as long as I can remember, the Disney theme parks have been a part of my life. I have ridden approximately 74 different rides at the Disney themeparks and seen 32 different shows (not counting fireworks and parades). I have even personally ridden a ride 10 times in one day (Star Tours at Disney-MGM Studios, of course). I have stayed at 5 different hotels on the Disney property and have eaten at more restaurants, shopped at more stores, and walked more miles than I can possibly remember. It was no surprise to my parents that, when asked where I wanted to go for vacation after graduation from high school, I chose Walt Disney World, and that I chose it again after my third year of college to take Ginny with us. Disney is in my blood, and for me, it truly is the “Happiest Place on Earth”.

When my parents told me they wanted to visit in October, I suggested we go to Disneyland Resort, in Anaheim, CA. We had been once, when I was four years old, and I very much desired to compare Disneyland to Walt Disney World. I also wanted to show to my parents, and to myself, that things had not changed between us, just because of where I now live, and that I am no longer dependent upon them. This past weekend was wonderful, and over the next couple of days I will fill this blog with reviews of the parks and of the attractions that fill them. If you have no interest in these things, feel free to not read them. Disney is still, and always will be a part of my life, my most sacred of vacation spots, and the place where I smile the most. Ginny has gotten a taste of this and will continue to get more. She realized after that first day at Magic Kingdom last year, as the greatest fireworks display I’d ever seen went on around us, how truly magical this place can be.

My reviews will be silly and cheesy, and will approach the rides and shows both from a technical viewpoint as well as a pure enjoyment viewpoint. I hope those of you who have experienced these attractions will find the warm memories flowing back into you, and I hope that those of you who haven’t yet felt that warmth might become inspired to make the journey for yourselves.