Rubies & Pearls: The Happiest Place on Earth

The Happiest Place on Earth. That is how Disney markets its parks around the planet. The happiest place on earth, hum? I wondered about that each time I saw that statement during the weeks that I researched a trip to Disneyland for Amara’s 5^th birthday. Before we even stepped through the gates in Anaheim, I highly doubted that Disneyland was the happiest place on earth. I mean, for me, being in a beach fala in Western Samoa, with the girls splashing in the warm turquoise waters, would be the happiest place on earth. It would be beyond the happiest place on earth. It would be nirvana. But marketing is marketing and so I took the ‘happiest place on earth motto’ with a grain of salt.

My thoughts on that didn’t change much when we finally arrived and made our way through the crowds to wait on the lines and to see the attractions throughout the park. But I quickly realized that Disneyland is for sure a happy place. I would go so far as to even say a very happy place. And for the little ones I would agree that it is a magical place (magical is the other way Disney promotes itself). There was something about the place that brought instant smiles to all our faces; there was something about the park that made my heart feel happy and it wasn’t just because I saw my girls eyes light up time and time again, or because I heard frequent carefree giggles coming from them and repeated joyful cries to “do it again” or their pleading requests to “follow him” when we spotted a ‘friend’ (one of the many characters that call Disney home) and how they would practically float behind them. I felt an inexplicable happiness too. I would just be smiling for no reason. The crowds, which normally leave me feeling overwhelmed and over stimulated, didn’t bother me too much. And the lines, the thirty minute waits, didn’t annoy this usually extremely impatient person. They didn’t even hardly bother my girls, which was a miracle of sorts, because as most parents know, waiting for more than a few minutes in nearly impossible for younger children. There were other little kids waiting on line too and so throughout our two days in the parks (both Disneyland and Disney Adventure) the girls met and made many new, brief friendships.

One of the friends Amara made was an 8 year old girl named (drum roll)... Amara! Her father approached me after he saw my Amara’s Minney Mouse hat, the one I bought not fifteen minutes prior, and had personalized with her name. Soon the two Amara’s were meeting each other and the adults were sharing how we picked the name. (their Amara was named from the in dad’s Nigerian background.)

But the real magic was not with other humans. The real magic and the joy the girls experienced was when they got to meet all their ‘friends’. The girls were elated when they met, hugged and tugged at Tigger, Pooh and both Chip & Dale. It turned out Dale was quite the prankster, taking the girls autograph books and trying to hide the girls under his apron. That put them on cloud nine and they still can't stop talking about his pranks. Both girls squeezed the noses of Goofy, the Mad Hatter, and Pluto. And they were tickled pink when Goofy pinched their noses back! They were enchanted with Cinderella and giddy with Minney Mouse. Amara got a special birthday hug from Mickey, that made her day and Havana got to met Woody. She has Woody doll home that she just adores so seeing the 'real' Woody put her over the moon.

How we got to meet Woody was an adventure in and of itself. At just past 4:30 p.m, I learned that the Toystory characters would be out till 5 p.m. (side note: we have never seen the movies but the girls still know the characters. Go figure!) We raced from our hotel and then had to run through Disney Adventure to meet them. We had only twenty minutes to get across the entire crowded park only to find him leaving. Sweet Havana begged me to “follow him”, which I did, and when I caught up to him, I kindly begged, “Would you please give my daughter a high five? She loves you.” I am not sure what led me to ask that but Woody turned to us and put up his hand and Baby Girl got to high five Woody. He made her day! And then a few minutes later, Buzz Lightyear came out. Both girls were a little afraid of him. Amara wouldn’t even go up to meet him!

In the grand scheme of life and the process of one’s spiritual evolution, I am not sure how meeting Disney characters plays in but I think the elation that Amara and Havana felt, the magical energy they feel at this age, well I would bet that the jubilant feelings imprinted on their Beings permanently, making them more open for joy, adventure and the unexplained.

We did have some other unplanned thrilling moments that were not character related., like when we were first in line for the monorail and got to ride in the front with the conductor. The futuristic cabin was spacious (we were the only ones in there other than the conductor) and the large windows kept them oohing and ahhing for the entire 3 minute ride back to Disneyland. And then we got lucky again when we returned to the park after nap time, which was just in time for the parade. I initially didn’t think much of the parade and didn’t plan for seeing it. I thought it would be boring or too crowded. And honestly, I didn’t think we would get much enjoyment from it. I am so glad I was wrong! Despite the huge crowds, we got spots with views (Havana on papa’s shoulders!) so we saw each float as they passed by. Tiana, Tinkerbell, the Lion King Crew and the rest of the Disney Posse passed us by. Amara’s face, so serious and alert was something to behold. She was taking in everything. I wished I could hear her thoughts as she gazed so intently down Main Street. The great thing about the parade was that all the characters were out so even though we didn’t get 1:1’s with them, the girls got to see them all. And Havana, who has rhythm in her step, was seen bopping her head to the music!

On the monorail

Minnie at the parade. I think she's my favorite!

The rides were a bit on the short side (we'd wait 20-30 minutes for a 2-3 minute ride) but were able to experience quite a few. It’s a Small World might have been the collective favorite. The Haunted Mansion not so much. Amara’s friend at school told her that she went on that ride and that a ghost sat on her mother’s lap. For weeks prior to our trip Amara told that story and said she wanted to go on the ride. Foolish mama thought taking her on the ride would be fun.and entertaining. Havana started crying almost immediately and Amara started saying, “I’m scared. I don’t like this ride” and asking for her friend Eleanor about half way through. But, at the very end, she got to see a a ghost (“a green ghost mama”) on my lap, which seemed to make it a little better. Thankfully, Tigger and Pooh were just around the way and they helped distract and soothe Havana!

We celebrated Amara’s birthday the night before her actual birthday at Goofy’s kitchen. (The character meals were by far, the best way to meet them.) We actually sang to both girls so Havana wouldn’t be left out of a cupcake! (and since Havana turns 3 at the end of June it wasn't a stretch). On Amara's actual birthday, we had ice cream outside the park at Cold Stone and the folks there sang to her again. Don told her he didn’t know if we could ever top this birthday. I think he is right. At least until she is a teenager!

It was a pleasure for both Don and I to be able to bring the girls to a place that brought them such contentment, pleasure, magic, excitement and wonder. We are both extremely grateful that we have the means to take such a holiday. I hope that these days in Disney will remain with them for a long time to come. I pray that they will be able to experience contentment, pleasure, magic, excitement and wonder in healthy doses for the rest of this life.

Birthday wishes from Mr. Mickey!

Playing in Mickey's house.

We adopted twin Minnies!


Whereas Havana feared the Haunted Mansion, she couldn't get enough of the tea cups!

Papa's soul child having fun!

The Riverboat. The girls, who had never been on a boat before Disney
went on several boat rides this week.

~Birthday Girl~

Havana was initially scared of It's a Small World because the Peter Pan
ride frightened her. But the sweet and gentleness of the ride quickly
won her over! She could be heard singing the song for days!