A Magical Place On Earth

Lucas and Nathan meet Mickey Mouse

When my colleagues learned that I was taking the family on a 6-8-hour drive to Disneyland, they thought I was crazy.  Why would I waste almost an entire day driving, paying for a rental van and spending on gas, which by the way is priced almost at its highest for the year, when we could just fly there for an hour and spend less than $100 in airfare?  Point taken.  But when you're with a big group of nine, three of whom are toddlers, driving has definitely its benefits.  We were more relaxed (except maybe for Nathan and Benjamin who got car-sick), we were flexible, we stopped whenever we needed to, and most of all we had fun on the road.  With the exception of heavy traffic in the Los Angeles area, the road trip went relatively well.

I was probably the only mom who did this, but I couldn't care less.

This was probably my sixth trip to Disneyland, but a first for Lucas and all three of them kids.  I was excited for this trip--excited for myself but so much more for my son and my nephews. I couldn't wait to see their faces when they see Mickey Mouse and the other Disney characters.  I couldn't wait to go back to my favorite rides, watch the parade and the shows at night.  I was like a kid waiting to be unleashed and let loose in the playground.  My only childhood experience of Disney was confined to TV, magazines and notebook covers, which is why the child in me is playing catch-up.

The colorful parade at Main Street Disneyland

I'll never get tired of going back to Disneyland.  Despite multiple trips there, I still have not been to each and every ride and attraction.  And every time I go back, there is something new.  This time, the parade is different (though I like the old one better, this too was amazing), there is the new World of Color water show at the California Adventure park which was nothing short of spectacular.  I didn't make it to the new Ariel and Star Wars rides, which is definitely a good reason to go back.

What made this trip even more fun is the presence of my cousin Jopie and her family. It was wonderful to see little Benjamin having fun with his cousins.

Three days is definitely not enough to enjoy Disneyland.  I don't even know if a week is enough.  But I find comfort in knowing that Disneyland is going nowhere.  It will be there when we have the opportunity and the means to visit again.  All it takes is an hour flight or a 6-8 hours short drive to get to one of the most magical places on earth.

The Paradise Pier at Disney California Adventure--site of the World of Color water spectacular.