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Disneyland

Fun Activity

2004 NASA SHARP Program

California State University, Los Angeles

Reported by: Katie Collier

Dreaming of Disneyland

The alarm clocks went off, but there was no one in bed.  Where could they all be?  Many of the NASA SHARP students, already awake and eating breakfast in the kitchen, were ready for the adventures that lay ahead of them that day.  “We’re going to Disneyland!!!” was the common thought as all four apartments sparkled with the “Disneyland magic”.  Most people would deny the facts, but it is certain that many sweet dreams were dreamt the night before.

The trip to Disneyland seemed to take ages, while in reality the park was only a short drive away.  The “long” wait was well worth it, however, when students were finally able to step inside the gates, grinning uncontrollably.  “We had made it; we were in Disneyland!”  After a meeting place and time had been designated, the students were allowed to disperse.  While everyone took his or her own paths, no one missed a beat.  Whether it was getting soaked on Splash Mountain, spooked on Haunted Mansion, or relaxing while cruising through Small World, everyone had a blast.

For some of the more popular rides, most Sharpies used their park tickets to receive FastPasses™, which allowed them to skip to the front of the long lines.  Avoiding long waits allowed students to experience more of the park and enjoy more rides.   Big Thunder Mountain, the Pirates of the Caribbean, Indiana Jones Adventure, Matterhorn Bobsleds, and the Mad Tea Party Spinning Tea Cups were among the favorites, but Splash Mountain was by far the best.  The exhilaration, shock, and sometimes fear on each person’s face, when they saw the enormous drop before them was meticulously caught on film.  Various poses, including arms waving in the air or hands tightly gripping the handlebars, and hilarious faces, with mouths open wide for screaming or teeth tightly clenched, all added to the fun and laughter which are essential parts of a “magical” Disneyland experience.

About midday, however, feelings of hunger began to emerge, and the students began to feel what Pooh so elegantly stated, “There’s a rumbly in my tumbly”.  Wanting to find some food to eat, but not wanting to pay a large sum, some decided to buy a delicious kids meal for lunch.  People could choose between two mini hot dogs or chicken nuggets, which came neatly packed in a Disneyland lunch box with fries, a drink, and a cool color-changing straw.  No day in Disney is complete, until one truly feels like a kid again.

The exhilaration continued well into the night. As the sky grew darker, many Sharpies joined hundreds of other spectators to rest their aching feet and marvel at the wonderful fireworks display.  People were amazed at the surprise visit of many famous Disney characters, and awed by the colorful display of patriotism in the sky.  There was no better way to spend the night before Independence Day.  With only an hour or so left after the fireworks, some students took to shopping in the Emporium, a huge shop on Main Street, or waiting in line for those last minute rides.  At the stroke of 11 pm, though, everyone “magically appeared” in front of the greenery display of Mickey Mouse’s face, wanting to stay and yet knowing they had to go.

Once comfortably seated in the vans, exhaustion immediately took control.  Even though almost every Sharpie was sound asleep, if one looked close enough, they could see the faintest of smiles on every person’s face.  Whether dreaming of spending the night in the castle like Kennedy, or just remembering the day’s events, everyone knew they would have the most magical dreams that night.  And it is these smiles and blissful dreams that shout “Thank You” better than any words ever could.  All the Sharpies would tell you the same thing, “It’s the most magical place on Earth!”

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