Emily - Week 15 - Lost at Disney
As each blog finishes and a new one starts, we have to constantly think about what to write next. This week, I started thinking heavily about Summer. I’ve always looked forward to the warm season of vacation and no school, especially as my birthday is in July. My family goes to Los Angeles and Disneyland every year. Usually, my sister and I go to Disneyland in July to compete at Showstoppers West Coast Finals, a dance competition that takes place in their resort convention center. However, after I moved studios, I stopped participating in competitions at Disneyland. I still go and stay with my friends, who compete more than me. Each year is a different experience, but the same feeling. Nothing can beat the joy you feel when you take your first step into the hotel lobby, with huge teapot chairs everywhere, Mickey Mouse playing on the mini TV, and the smell of the “happiest place on Earth.” That truly brings me back to this one time I’ll never forget…
It was many years ago when and my best friend and I were roaming around Disney’s California Adventure Park, having the time of our lives. My sister was supposed to watch over us as we were too young to be left alone (we didn’t have phones yet). But unfortunately, we weren’t paying attention to where we were going, and with one look away, my sister was gone. I swear that girl left on her own! I still believe she’s the one who left us and didn’t tell us (how evil), although my sister begs to differ. Anyway, at that moment, my heart actually sank because I had no idea where we even were at in that huge park, and my friend was more lost than me. We decided to ask for help, but it took us a while to navigate through the various lands of Cars, Star Wars, and Spider-Man. I was honestly surprised by my directional skills as I was able to lead us both out of the park to get help from the employees. Of course, we were reunited with our family, which ended with joyful tears and embarrassed looks, definitely a memorable moment.
When I think back to that moment, I always laugh about it because of how careless we were back then. I didn’t even worry about getting kidnapped; I was just determined to get out of there, and so was my friend. Now, when we go to Disneyland, we don’t have to worry about getting lost as we’re finally old enough to explore on our own…
Hi Emily! Your story on Disneyland was quite entertaining, and I love how it connects to the theme of memory! I don’t go to Disneyland often, but it is great to learn about the experiences you had and how they pertain to some of your core memories of your childhood. It is definitely astonishing how my personality and worries have changed from childhood to being a teenager before; I used to hate going to sleep, but now, sleep is all I wish for after hours of studying. I relate to you laughing about the carelessness of childhood, as it seems unfathomable how careless and free we were when we were young. I also always look forward to summer because I always loved going on vacation, and I definitely agree that Disneyland does bring back a lot of memories for me as well! This story was quite fun to read and I am happy you can now laugh at this memorable moment. Good job!
ReplyDeleteHey Emily, your blog was so fun to read! I definitely share your passion for the summer. It seems so close yet so far with all our AP tests and finals! I’m trying my best to block the thought of summer out of my head so that I don’t spend too much time thinking about all the fun things I want to do and the interesting places I want to travel to. It is so cool that you used to compete in Disneyland! That seems like such a fun experience. I actually had no idea Disney even held dance competitions. Thank you for including such an entertaining story in your blog! As a small kid, I used to panic when I lost my parents in the grocery store, so it is pretty impressive how you and your friend kept such composure when losing your sister in such a massive theme park. When you and your family visit Los Angeles, is Disneyland the main spot you go to? Or, do you guys also try visiting other places in Los Angeles like Universal Studios or the Hollywood Walk of Fame? I loved reading your blog. Good job!
ReplyDeleteHey Emily, our blogs were pretty similar in their nostalgia for vacations lol. Your description of a summertime fun day at Disney versus my memory of late nights staying quiet and a mysterious vibe couldn't be more different, but at the same time, the way we remember and cherish those days (or nights) are super similar. You describe your memory of the thrill of actually being at Disney, as I reminisced about the thrill of sneaking away from coaches and hotel security. You remember the general vibe of a warm, energy filled day in L.A, and I remembered the general vibe of a cold, dark, but incredibly peaceful night in a random resort off the borders of San Diego. Overall, both of us remembered the vibes and feelings and ambience more than specific details, and we still cherish them all
ReplyDeleteHi Emily. This is such interesting timing as over spring break, I went to Disneyland Adventure Park. While I did feel a bit too old for the park overall, I did like some rides, and the trip was a relatively fun experience overall. Also, I find your anecdote about getting lost extremely relatable as that happened to me too as a young kid in Disneyland (way before my most recent trip). Funnily enough, even though I got lost in a crowd as a small kid, I did not really feel that worried, even though my parents were (in addition to being angry). I just drifted around, waiting for my parents to eventually find me, as I thought as a kid that such a major establishment as a kid would not make it so that kids could get permanently lost. So I knew that I would be found eventually, and I liked being alone. And on my trip recently, I definitely did not even feel the slightest pressure in being independent from my parents for some moments. I went to the Incredicoaster myself with my map in hand, and I even was the guiding light for my brother when he and I went a bit too ahead of my parents sometimes. Anyway, I hope you have a great time on your coming trip so that you can make some more recent, lasting memories. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteHi Emily, I've been thinking about summer recently as well. School this year has been so stressful and there's nothing I look forward to more than sunny days, warm weather, and no more schoolwork. It's so cool that you go to Disneyland every year for dance competitions, my sister also used to do dance and I remember that she competed there several times as well! You do a great job at describing the excitement and nostalgia of summer at Disneyland, I really liked your anecdote about you and your friend getting lost. Thanks for sharing!
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