Ode To Disneyland

Once upon a time I went to the Happiest Place on Earth
and fell in love with every inch of its wonder and worth

Now I go back all the time to relive that happy day
and feel like a kid again or ‘Disney adult’ as we say

As we pass through the front gate we leave today and magically
enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy

Then depending on how early I managed to get there
will determine my strategy of which I’m starting where

If it is rope drop time I often head straight back
to Fantasyland to ride those that Genie+ may lack

Passing through the arches of Sleeping Beauty’s castle
which you can also explore inside the story told magical

We enter the land of Fantasy packed with classic rides
many of which have been here since the park opened in 1955

Peter Pan is by far the most popular in Fantasyland
So though many do the same I head first to Neverland

It will get much longer wait times as the day goes on
So it’s still smart to start here and set sail on a pirate galleon

Next I try to knock out a few more nearby dark rides
featuring favorite stories that tickle my insides

My own personal favorite and an opening day classic
is Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride that speeds through crazy quick

There’s something about this manic motorcar drive to nowhere
that makes me laugh as I sit back and let the madness steer

Next I might heigh-ho go on Snow White’s Enchanted Wish
follow the dwarves and the evil queen and finally true love’s kiss

The ride next door is a bit more of a scary fever dream
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey is not as sweet as it may seem

But then you can soothe again with a slow ride around
King Arthur’s Carrousel or pull his sword from the ground

Also near here is the cheerful Circus Train of Casey Jr.
that chugs along with merry song through classic story miniatures

You can see these same mini scenes from a Storybook Land Canal Boat
if you can first brave cruising through Monstro the Whale’s throat

On the other end of this land is another of my favorites
I love to ride down the rabbit hole into Wonderland with Alice

Then join the Mad Tea Party for a cuppa dizziness
spinning faster round and round till your head is a mess

But if you really want a jolt that shakes your whole body
ride the Matterhorn Bobsleds passed the mountain’s yeti

This was the first tubular steel coaster in the world
which makes sense given how it makes you shake and hur — I mean whirl

Then tucked in back another classic ride is such a doll
Its catchy tune keeps reminding you ‘It’s a Small World after all’

Past this world we can wander into Mickey’s Toontown
where you can eat and meet the gang and let the kids play around

The main attraction here is Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
riding a train through zany scenes to save their ‘Perfect Picnic’ day

Then also here are two more kid-friendly rides to hop in
Chip ’n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster and Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin

Now before the morning gets away as rope drop hour ends
I highly recommend heading over to Galaxy’s Edge

Because between 9 and 10, you can often experience
the shortest line of the day for Rise of the Resistance

This newest innovative ride uses trackless technology
to help you battle the First Order and save the Galaxy

Even though this one is always the most popular
I never feel my day is complete without fighting the First Order

Then also here in Batuu you can ride Smugglers Run
flying the Millennium Falcon and controlling your own fun

You’ll be picked to play a pilot, gunner, or engineer
and work together as a crew to complete the mission here

There’s much more to explore in this Star Wars land
Not rides but food and drinks galore and interactive stands

But rides we want so let’s go on to Frontierland fun
which also boasts one of the most thrilling rides I’ve done

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad takes you through eerie mines
swooping passed rickety tracks and explosive lines

This is truly the wildest ride in the wilderness
with ducks and turns and near burns all cursed and cavernous

Next ride the Rivers of America on a relaxing river float
aboard the Ship Columbia or Mark Twain Riverboat

Or cross the river to get to the island of Tom Sawyer
where you can search the pirate’s lair for hidden treasure

At night this land comes alive with Fantasmic! shows
Watch Mickey conjure classic scenes and battle evil foes

But since it is still daytime, let’s save that for later
and venture to another land to continue our adventure

Circling round the Rivers to (you guessed it!) Adventureland
to ride the busy rides here really at any time we can

Indiana Jones Adventure always has a long line
So this is great for Genie+ or rope dropping sometime

Dodge boulders and snakes in the Temple of the Forbidden Eye
and past many other booby traps on this rugged rousing ride

Also ‘wildly’ popular here is the Jungle Cruise
a funny punny river tour with rare animal views

But no visit to this land would be quite complete
without a trip to the historic Tiki Room with a treat

Here the birds sing words and the flowers croon
as you sip your dole whip and sing along out of tune

Now lets journey onward to New Orleans Square
where we can find more fun and even a ghostly scare

I mean of course taking a gloomy Doom Buggy jaunt
through the Haunted Mansion and its 999 happy haunts

There is room for one more if you wish to join the bride,
the hat box ghost, Madame Leota, and the phantom five

Or take hitchhiker home with you as a souvenir
However much I love this ride they won’t let you stay in here

So let’s yo ho and onward go to the Pirates of Caribbean
through that swashbuckling cruise of danger, drops, and dead men

This was the last ride Walt himself actually worked on
opening shortly after he died in March of 1967

There are many amazing restaurants and quick food spots here too
In particular the Mickey beignets are an absolute must do

Now Critter Country land is just beyond this one
But one of its best rides is under construction

Splash Mountain recently closed down to make way for
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure coming in late 2024

But before it closed down I used to love this water ride
playing with the Brer Patch bunch and getting drenched on every side

Though I’m equally excited to see what’s coming next
studying the Tiana’s concept art and imagining what to expect

Also in Critter Country is the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
follow that silly old bear in search of honey and a daring rescue

Or grab an oar and hop in a Davy Crockett Explorer Canoe
to paddle the Rivers of America with a punny guide and your crew

Now the only land we have left is way on the other side
There’s so much to do in Tomorrowland that I start here sometimes

Space Mountain is always a top pick in this park
to race through space on a roller coaster in the dark

I especially love when they do the Hyperspace overlay
with immersive sights and sounds from that galaxy far, far way

Or explore that same world in Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
with different storylines and places your Starspeeder could take you to

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters is also out of this world
as you fire your laser to defeat the Evil Emperor Zurg

Or instead of space, go by sea on a gentle expedition
with Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage who is missing once again

Or hit the road on dry land on the Autopia motorway
It’s a fun kid-friendly drive that’s been here since opening day

Last blast off in a rocket ship on a spinning Dumbo-like ride
Astro Orbitor lets you control how high you want to fly

Now at last let’s head back to the front of the park
but on the Disneyland Railroad for an extra lark

Now it does go all the way around with stops in four lands
But this stretch is the most special and in demand

Between Tomorrowland and Main Street you’ll happen upon
Walt’s life-size dioramas of dinosaurs and the Grand Canyon

Now back on Main Street there are a few treasures here too
Delicious eats and sweet treats and so much shopping to do

My favorite place to eat here is Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe
Their grilled cheese and tomato soup is truly a mainstay

So grab a snack and take in the many sights to see
Like the lamp that’s always lit in Walt’s memory

You can also step inside the Main Street Cinema marquee
to watch vintage Disney cartoons like Steamboat Willie

Or visit Mr. Lincoln to behold his Great Moments
with a truly historic animatronic that Disneyland Story Presents

Of course the most magical way to end the day
is to watch the Castle fireworks and projections on display

The current Wondrous Journeys always leaves me a weepy wad
But here’s a tip, it’s less crowded to watch on the Small World façade

Well that about wraps up our full Disneyland day
with all the best that I suggest for the happiest way

I’ll be coming back soon and I hope you will too
coz this is where magic happens and dreams can come true