Not the Reaction I'd Hoped For

by Kathy

One of the rides I was especially excited to take my kids on for the first time was It's a Small World.

I had magical memories of it from when I was little: the boat ride, the songs, the thrilling little drop the boat takes at one point, and of course-- the sights. All those children from all those countries! Their clothes, their faces, the background, the music. I was mesmerized and continue to love that ride every time I visit.

So when I brought my toddler on it the first time, I was brimming with anticipation. I couldn't wait to see his face. Unfortunately when the ride started, I was so captivated once again that I forgot to watch his reaction-- until we exited the ride, and he was fast asleep!

So I guess not everyone has the same favorites at Disneyland.

The 2 best rides in the whole world

by Wyatt
(WA, USA)

When we were sent on a fantasy trip to California during Spring Break 2011, my family had the absolute fantastic time of their lives!

The last day of 3 we spent at the resort, we went to Disney's California Adventure. My aunt and sister went with me to the Tower of Terror. Before the trip, my cousins told my sister and I that we absolutely MUST to go on the Tower.

The wait in line for the tower was devastating; I was so excited just from the suspense! When I got on the elevator, I almost had a heart attack when the ride operator said "If you have any questions- too bad, too late!", and then- BOOM! The doors closed, and I never let go of the side handle in the ride. The only relief I had on the ride was after the final drop, and the doors opened. The rest of the day, my legs would hardly support me, the Tower was that intense.

Next I had 2 Fastpasses for California Screamin', the rollercoaster. My aunt took one look at the ride and said "Oh No". I told her that she didn't have to go on it if she wanted to, but she said that she wanted to prove to herself that she could do it. We got in the last car and got ourselves ready. As soon as the bars clamped down, I nearly had a panic attack. But it turned out to be one of the best roller coasters I've ever been on.

That is just one of the many reasons why this was the best spring break ever, and that I wouldn't ever forget it.

California Screamin?

by Lauren Varneth
(Dallas, Texas, USA)

A couple of years ago, my family and I visited Disneyland. I was only 7 so I was WAY too scared to ride California Screamin'. But of course, the family wanted to ride so I had to go! My dad made the FASTPASSES right after we ate, so right after the ride, my mom and I were rushing to the restrooms to puke! Even though that happened, I love that ride still to this day!

Not So Scary After All

by Kathryn
(California)

The first time I went to Disneyland I was 6 years old.

When it came time to go on the Haunted Mansion I was a little scared. Actually I cried, clung to my dad's hand, and buried my head in his chest for most of the ride. But when we got out I turned around, looked up at my parents and asked "Can we go again!?"

I guess part of Disneyland's magic is helping us overcome our fears.

I Screamed for Ice Cream

by Kathryn
(California)

The first time I went to Disneyland I went on every ride! But when I got to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad I was a little intimidated. To convince me to go on the ride, my parents told me that if I didn't like the ride they would buy me an ice cream.

After waiting in line, riding through the twists and turns of the wild west, and walking down the ramp, my parents asked me if I liked the ride. I told them no so they bought me an ice cream.

About 20 minutes later, while I was enjoying my ice cream, they asked me again if I had liked the ride. I replied with an enthusiastic yes and a HUGE smile. They informed me I would've gotten ice cream anyways.

To this day, I still enjoy a Mickey ice cream after going on that ride.

It's Called "Scary Adventures" for a Reason

by Ally
(Sacramento, CA)

Last April, my family and I planned a trip to Disneyland. For the first time, I was allowed to bring a friend. So I brought my best friend of six years, who just happens to have a crippling fear of the dark. Yes, even at fifteen, she's terrified of the dark.

So the first ride we run to is the Matterhorn, knowing it would get busy later. However, they're having technical difficulties and it's closed. So we head back to Peter Pan and Mr. Toad, wanting to hit those before the little ones showed up.

After going through hell (literally! The end to Mr. Toad's? Crazy stuff!), we went to Snow White's Scary Adventures. My best friend asks me if it's scary because she hadn't been to Disneyland since she was four. I told her that it had scared little kids so they added "Scary" to the name as a warning but it was still a little kid ride. So we go on it. Big mistake.

I had forgotten how dark it was in there. The moment the lights went out, she started screaming. I told her to shut up, that she was going to freak out the real little kids. Her response was to start hitting me and saying that I lied to her and that "it was TOO scary! Liar!!!!" By the time it was over, she was curled up on the seat with her eyes closed and I couldn't keep from cracking up.

After she recovered from her fright, she went on the rides Space Mountain, Matterhorn, California Screamin', and other rides that were a lot more scary and didn't have a problem... until we got stuck in the dark when Indiana Jones broke down...

I thought you said this wasn't real!

by Patrick Tuason
(Santa Maria, Ca USA)

So this past weekend I was at Disneyland hanging out with my best friend and while waiting in line for Star Tours, we observed a very funny conversation between siblings.

An older brother of about 6 was addressing the concerns of his younger brother of about 4. Apparently the younger brother kept asking his older brother if the Star Tours ride was in fact REAL. Of course with every question pertaining to the ride's authenticity, the older brother ever so confidently assured his little brother that this was in fact a ride and NOT real.

So our group finally is ushered onto our ride and we begin fastening our safety belts when you hear the young man's voice through the clutter: "This ISNT real..RIGHT!?" At that moment the brother, in a somewhat irritated manner responded, "It's NOT REAL!" Of course laughter ensued from all of us entertained by their interesting conversation.

So as the ride begins and we go into our first simulated drops, the ooohhs and aaaaahhs from the two begin to fill our space ship. As the best part of the ride begins, where we jump into hyperspace, you hear the younger brother yell with concern, "I THOUGHT YOU SAID THIS WASN'T REAL!" Then the older brother responded to our amazement with the same fear instilled in his voice, "THAT'S WHAT MOM & DAD SAID!" Laughter immediately erupts from every person in the cabin, including the mother and father!

Children really do say the darndest things hahaha

Small world screams!

by NMG
(California)

When I was probably about 4 my grandma took my brother and I to Disneyland. I was always pretty scared of theme park rides, so my grandma thought that she would take me on Its a Small World, because its really easy. It was a pretty long line, on a really hot day.

We waited about an hour until finally we got to the front of the line. When my brother stepped onto the boat it went down just a little bit, and I was convinced that it was sinking and I was going to drown! So I kicked and screamed because I refused to ride the ride and they tried to make me! Grandma eventually gave in but told me she would never take me to disneyland again!

13 years later we went again, and small world was the first ride we went on. :)

Flying Saucers!

by Christina
(Welch, MN)

I remember riding on my dad's lap on the flying saucers in Tomorrow Land in 1963 and seeing the space man fly into the air with his jet-powered backpack. The flying saucer ride was so cool.

Disneyland is still my favorite place to visit - my kids love it too, but I wish they could have gone on that ride.

Underaged driving

When I was about 12 our family took another trip to Disneyland. Our first trip was several years earlier, and my brother Paul, who was the youngest, did not come with us. This was his first trip.

As the gates opened we excitedly ran to the new Indiana Jones ride and got in line. I could tell my brother was duely fascinated by the real-looking decor. (He was about 6 years old) As we went to get in the big jeep our family was first in line. Dad looked at all of us kids and asked who wanted to drive. Katie- a 10 yr old- was jumping up and down with excitement so she was chosen. Paul was quite unhappy with the choice and kept saying he thought dad should drive. Unfortunatly people do not listen to 6 yr olds, so we all piled in and off the jeep went.

For those who have been on the ride, you know the turns and unsettling jolts it can have. At the bridge with the lava underneath my brother started outright crying saying 'I told you dad should drive!' Come to find out, he had thought the whole thing was real- not make-believe! He really thought his 10 year old sister was driving through all these horrible things!

Needless to say, mom explained things to him right after the ride. He had a wonderful time at Disneyland, and even went on the Indiana Jones ride again before the end of the day, laughing all the way through it.