Magic
As an adult a visit to Disneyland is pretty spectacular, but as a child a visit to Disneyland is purely magical. The happiness and sparkle that exudes from my children’s faces as they get their first glimpse of Main Street with the iconic Cinderella’s castle in the distance is something I hope to remember forever no matter how old they are. The innocent magic of childhood is personified at Disneyland, even more so on a birthday. I received tickets to take my daughter to Disneyland to make her 4 year old birthday extra magical, all opinions are my own.
Disneyland Park, located in Anaheim California first opened its magical doors in July of 1955. Walt Disney came up with the idea to create his namesake park while watching his daughter’s ride the Merry Go Round at Griffith park in Los Angeles. Originally, he wanted Disneyland Park to be near his studio’s in Burbank but due to a lack of space he built it in just 12 months in Orange County instead. Walt Disney set out to create a amusement park that both parent’s and children can enjoy together.
Funny Fact: Disneyland tickets cost only $1 in 1955 ($.91 for the ticket and $.09 for tax). Roy O Disney (Walt’s brother) was the first person to purchase a ticket*
I wonder if Walt knew exactly how magical and significant Disneyland would be to so many children and families. A trip to Disneyland is quite the epic fulfillment in any child’s life, most especially on their birthday.
Stepping into the Disneyland Park is like stepping into another world – a world without the stresses and cares of our daily lives, a world in which visitors can fully immerse into whimsical fantasy. Being fully surrounded by happiness, bright colors, whimsy and fantasy seems to stop time and make childhood dreams come alive. My daughter wore fairy wings and carried a fairy wand with her for the entirety of her magical Disneyland day. This extra special touch made the pictures and the memories of her extra special Disneyland birthday even more magical.
Leading the way with Magic
Secrets
About a week before our Disneyland trip I made reservations at Goofy’s Kitchen for dinner. I thought an extra special dinner would be a perfect intermission between Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure visits. My 7 year old son was enthralled with all of the Disney character visits to our table. He liked Chip from Chip and Dale and he liked “chef” Goofy too of course. His favorite visit from all of the characters was Alice from Alice in Wonderland. She was very sweet and she took several minutes to talk to him about his day. Then this conversation between Alice and my son took place:
Her: “And what was your favorite ride at Disneyland today dear boy?”
Him: “The teacups!”
Her: “Oh! Well you know the purple teacup is the fastest. It has more sugar you know”
After she left he beamed and said to me “I’m going to write that down”
That conversation and his reaction was magical. My heart nearly exploded in my chest as I watched the happiness beam from his face that he learned a secret from Alice. I was happy I caught the moment with my camera. The next day when telling his dad about his visit that conversation between he and Alice was the first thing he brought up.
Alice asked “What was your favorite ride at Disneyland today dear boy?”
The secrets that Disneyland Park holds are magical and endless. You can search the entire park for hidden mickey’s, you can find hidden meanings in the painted names on the buildings of Main Street and you can search for the hidden exclusive Club 33 and so much more. Nearly every visit to Disneyland can bring new surprises, secrets and joys.
The purple teacup is the fastest. It holds more sugar you know.
Believe
Believing in the magic of a Disneyland birthday is made even more special by the extra accommodations Disneyland can make for your child’s special day. Such as a complimentary birthday button, specially made cakes and sweets, gift baskets and character dining experiences. My daughter wore her birthday button all day and every Disney employee wished her the happiest of birthdays – that made her feel special and important.
This special treatment can make the magic of Disneyland even more special – like the cherry on top of a yummy sundae!
I am so beyond happy that I had the opportunity to make my daughters 4th birthday so special with a magical Disneyland trip. I know that she will remember this trip forever (and of course I will too).
To schedule your child’s magical Disneyland birthday head on over to the official Disneyland special occasions website.
Magic
I have to be honest and say I had a hard time narrowing down the pictures to use for this post, so to resolve this I have created a little slideshow of all my favorite unedited moments. Please take a moment and watch!
*Ticket prices information obtained from Jansworld.net
