As a schoolboy I remember some theaters in town would play short classic Disney animation clips, before the film. To most around my age, that was the clip we’d come to watch. The grown-ups would then go on to watch their film, while we’d squirm and yawn in our seats.

Fast forward to the present. Today, we’re the grown-ups.

We see the same craving with kids today sitting glued to Playhouse Disney on tube. After our mostly a grown-up trip to Antwerpen and Brugge, we wanted to do a kiddy-oriented one, something they’d enjoy and remember as part of their childhood memories. And we thought, what would be more appropriate than a trip to Disneyland?

With over 500km to cover, across two borders and even though we have a pair of reasonably well behaved kids in tow, we still had to plan. And in this process, we squeezed in Ghent, which was essentially for grown-ups. (We can almost hear all you kids shouting “not fair” now.)

Having been to Genting theme park, Malaysia in the past, we could relate to the rides. But the ambience and feel of this Neverland was a unique experience. For this post, I asked each of my family members on those particular things that they liked about Disneyland. Here’s what they had to say:

Aaryana: “I liked Animagic, animation history; I loved meeting all the characters. I liked the indoor boat ride: It’s a small world and the studio tram ride. I loved both the parades—Once upon a dream parade (in the theme park) and Cinema parade (in Disney Studios). I liked going on the carousel and Mad Hatter’s tea cups.”

Saanvi: “I liked Tigger, Donald, Daisy and Princess. I liked hugging Minne and Goofie, Chicken Little, and shaking hands with Pooh bear. And I liked sitting on the horses (in the carousel). I liked the rain and the cup ride.”

Sneha: “I enjoyed both the parades, and the studio tram ride. I loved Animagic. I liked Disney Studios better than the park. I liked our stay in The Cheyenne Hotel—designed like a village in the wild west. It was a pleasant breakaway from stereotypes. I liked the Micky mouse engraved soaps in our bathroom.”

As for me, I thought The Sleeping Beauty Castle was done exceptionally well. I also liked Animagic, and those drawing lessons they were conducting for kids. I liked shopping for souvenirs, and the carousel with kids.

Even in the eyes of a parent, it is magical to visit Disneyland, especially if it is your first time. It is a feeling of childhood emotions resurfacing, at times. I can go on about every ride we took or how we looked with awe at every character coming alive in those costumes, but I won’t. This is sure to put anyone to sleep.

A place like this, in my opinion, can only be enjoyed. Words and pictures don’t complete the dimensional journey. Sneha and I were happy to see our kids living it all. It was their birthday gift. It was our gift too. Of being us as parents, lucky and thankful enough to make this possible for them.

(Some pictures.)

Update: While I was writing this post, my seven year old daughter wrote her version of the trip. Sneha and I were so impressed that we are taking the liberty to publish it here. And we’re going to tell both her granmas, after this, who are regular readers of this blog. This is completely an uncut and unedited version.

A trip to Disneyland

Hello, my name is Aaryana.

I have been to Disneyland in Paris. I went by car. My dad drove for 7 hours. Pretty long ha! My mum was busy looking at a map. As for my sister and me, well we were doing nothing. We were in Gent a part in Belgium for the morning. Oh we did get a boat ride in Gent. Then we were in France and we stayed in a hotel for the rest of the evening. The next morning we went to Paris. But the sad part was it was raining and that is why I was sad. But I did have a great time. I went on Mad hatter’s teacups which some cup go round and round. We went on a train, a magic carpet ride, the merry-go-round and it is a small world, which is a boat ride where we could see dolls. We stayed in Disney hotel for three days. We watched a film called Animagic. We went on a tram ride. We watched 2 parades. The first parade was called Once upon a dream parade and the second one was called The cinema parade. And then we had to go home in one day.

Bye!

Eurodisney: Place des Passagers des Vents 77700 Chessy, FR.

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