187 Days...And Counting

             Okay, so back to a blog entry with just a touch of reality added in. If you've read my last couple, you may be curious as to why I have been writing about Disney related things. First off, I would like to apologize for last night's entry. It was late, we played Pirates of the Caribbean music in band earlier that day, I was listening to "Yo Ho, Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life For Me" on repeat, and so I just began rambling about pirates. Regardless, Disney has been on my mind lately - more than usual anyways - for two very specific reasons. Everyone knows that my last two posts were not the first two Disney-esque posts. I'm obviously a bit obsessive over the entire concept of Disney - the classic musicals, the parks, what it stands for, etc. (I'm typing this as the soundtrack to Splash Mountain blares out of my iPod speakers).
             Reason one for the intensified Disney fervor: over this coming summer, we are so busy between a summer internship my sister is taking part in, and my taking an extra class over the summer, we are left with approximately two weeks to do one last family vacation before my sister is off to college. We already did our really "big trip" for the year over spring break, so we were looking to do something a bit more local. We thought about going East - as we have for several years in a row - do Maine (one of our favorite spots), and maybe a little bit of parts of Canada we are yet to explore. Then Disney World is always a candidate. The options went on and on. We ended up landing on the one and only: California. I have been there before, but I was around six at the time, and my recollection is fuzzy at best. So we are making our return to the redwood forests to re-experience things I did in my youth, and do much, much more on our drive from San Fransisco to San Diego. Along the way? Disneyland! I have never been there, and in case you were wondering, I'm ridiculously excited.
            Reason two for the intensified Disney fervor: every other year in high school, our marching band - of which I am an active member of - takes a big "tour". Last year we made our way to the concrete jungle where dreams are made of, of course, New York. This was possibly one of the best trips of my life. Every four years, the band customarily goes to *drum roll please!*....you guessed it! The world  where dreams are made of, home of Mickey, Minnie, the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, and one of my favorite places: DISNEY WORLD! I have been looking forward to this trip for way too long! And now plans for making the twenty hour drive down to Orlando are forming, speculated to be in November so we can take part in the Thanksgiving Day Parade down Main Street U.S.A. Two hundred and twenty days, and counting. Please excuse my excitement, but for the next 187 days, you may end up reading - or ignoring - many Disney themed posts to come. But don't fret, I will try to stray away from writing too many blogs featuring my excitement.

187 Days...and counting.

In Fantasyland Among The Stars With Peter Pan

              Flipping through old family photo albums. Of course the smiling and crying faces of my sisters and myself are more than enough to make me swoon and coo over how adorable we were. I become reminiscent of life as a young child, something so easy, with no worries of the looming future. Then there it is, the picture of my first trip to the place where dreams come true. I was at such a young age, I have absolutely no recollection of the momentous day that started it all. The day that I was brought in my mother's arms through the gates of Cinderella's magical castle to Fantasyland. Only months after I was born, my mother held onto my diaper bag, shoes, and my body desperately as I was brought into the wonderful world of lights and music as little children serenaded my young mind with "It's A Small World After All". My father consoled my screaming and wailing when they wanted me to hug a giant mouse in a tuxedo.
               Two years old, now I have a somewhat recollection of where I am. The blue, pink, and white castle is vaguely familiar. I've seen Mickey Mouse on the glowing box mommy and daddy play for me sometimes. I can clap and make noise along with the smiling faces of the skilled workers performing in the Beauty and the Beast show. Five years old. I'm itching to jump out of my stroller and attack Minnie and Mickey with hugs and kisses. Now as I drive up the road to the gates of the Magic Kingdom, I know exactly where we are and what's ahead of me. I would hide my face in the midst of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, the explosions of the "bombs" in the water scared me to death. The Haunted Mansion was still a ride I refused to even attempt.
                Nine years old. I know all of the songs and movies by heart. We have a set order of what rides we do, and how many rides each attraction requires. I'm brave and can do anything. The first to attempt Tower of Terror. While it scared me more than I could even imagine, I felt so grown up going on the scariest ride in the park. Twelve years old. Riding each of the roller coasters numerous times became a requirement. The classics of Fantasyland were of course a must as well. The World Showcase still bored me. Hours spent wandering the shops of "Japan" and "Norway". I was in Disney for the thrill of speed, thus the loud music and loop-de-loops of Rock 'N' Roller Coaster obsession began.
               Fifteen years old. I have a greater and greater appreciation for the parks. Each attraction is another visit from my lovely childhood. Smiling and having pleasant conversation with the characters was the best. While roller coaster thrills is still great, what I really want is the feeling I encounter when I ride the old classics. Heffalumps and Woozles of Pooh's Hunny Hunt is what a love. But what's the best feeling of all? For most it would be hard to pick a favorite right off of the bat when there is so much magic to choose from. The childlike whimsy of Fantasyland. The innovative futuristic take on the world in Epcot and Tomorrowland. The mystery and chilling feelings of Tower of Terror or Haunted Mansion. Eating Norwegian lefse and waffles, British fish 'n' chips, Japanese sushi, and Italian gelato without leaving Orlando. Even smiling beside Mickey Mouse. No, none of this is the magical moment to me.
               A hot summer morning. The first day of the Disney vacation. I've waited an entire year for this moment. The entrance to Magic Kingdom. Five minutes until they open. Shade is no where to be found. Fighting our way to the ropes blocking off the real world to the entrance of a fairy tale. We hear a train whistle. On board are the classic Disney characters, along with singers and dancers to begin the Welcome show. They perform their show with a medley of Disney Classics, the Trolley Song, and more. Until it's here. Just ten seconds to opening the park. Five seconds. Employees are armed and ready to release the eager crowd. "FOUR!" I can see the castle in the distance. "THREE!"  My family and I are ready to sprint towards Fantasyland. "TWO!" My camera is on and ready to snap shots of every piece of the park I can. "ONE!" We're in, and the music is playing down Main Street U.S.A., and I know that something magical is about to happen. That's the best part for me.
               Sixteen years old. Who's to say?