The Disneyland Dilettante 100th Post Special

I wanted to make this something spectacular. It's been nearly two years since I began this blog, and I've managed a post a week the entire time, plus one or two extras. I hoped to find some major source of inspiration and give my readers an early-early Christmas gift of something astounding.

Then...Tuesday happened.

It was the most severe gutpunch I have experienced in my life, and it killed most of my desire to write. I spent most of Wednesday in something like a sick daze. I'm getting better as I process it, but it's so rough. I thought so much better of my countryfolk than this. I honestly don't know how I'm going to get through the next four years (or however long it takes to impeach his orange ass and discredit his entire administration). But I will try to continue my posting rate. I have posts brewing from before this catastrophe, and hopefully my psyche is resilient enough to recover and keep providing content (in addition to all the real-world activism I will most assuredly be doing).

Because we still have Disneyland. We still have that. I'm going to need it dearly in the near future, to escape the horror of reality once in a while. That's what it's there for, isn't it? To be a better place than the world we live in?

So I offer you this for Disneyland Dilettante Post #100: 100 Disneyland Delights. Little bits of joy a day at the park can provide, even in these scary times.

1. Waking up in the morning and remembering that today’s the day!
   
2. Dressing in your favorite Disney-bound outfit, or at least a tee-shirt featuring a beloved character.
3. Driving to the park with your favorite Disney tunes on shuffle.
4. Spotting that key landmark that tells you you’re Almost There.
5. Seeing road signs announcing the park.
6. Exiting the freeway and realizing that most of the people exiting with you are also going to Disneyland…that they are your comrades-in-magic for the day.
7. Arriving at the parking lot or structure and getting a smile and greeting from the Cast Member on duty.
8. Getting out of your car and seeing the happy children and families also arriving.
9. Boarding the tram…or alternately deciding to hoof it along the footpath to the Esplanade.
10. Passing through the turnstile and hearing the magical chime of welcome.
11. Looking up at the Mickey Mouse parterre and Main Street Train Station above it.
12. Walking through the tunnel under the train tracks and seeing Main Street, USA unfold before your eyes.
13. Getting a birthday button at City Hall, and the accompanying personal attention from Cast Members throughout the day.
14. Meeting and posing for a photo with one of the Fab Five in Town Square, or watching them interact with an utterly enchanted child.
15. Hearing the Main Street area music and soaking in The Second Sense. (It should be the Christmas loop by now.)
16. The marvelous transforming Emporium window displays.
17. Window-shopping along the Main Street shops and thinking about maybe getting a souvenir later.
18. Buying a breakfast pastry and tea or coffee from the Market House, Jolly Holiday Bakery, or a vending cart.
19. Your first sight of Sleeping Beauty Castle in full morning sunlight.
20. Arriving at the Hub and taking a moment to look around at all the themed gateways to worlds of wonder.
21. If you got there early enough, rope drop!
22. Hotfooting it to the first ride of the day.
23. Walking into Adventureland and feeling like you’ve been swept away to a remote tropical wilderness.
24. Frosty Dole Whips and Dole Whip Floats at the Tiki Juice Bar.
25. The bouncy music and charming feathered friends of the Enchanted Tiki Room.
26. The free-trade knick-knacks from far-flung corners of the world in the Adventureland Bazaar.
27. The corny humor and mock-thrills of the Jungle Cruise.
28. The smell of grilled chicken and beef coming from the Bengal Barbecue.
29. The breathless action and stunning immersive realism of the Indiana Jones Adventure.
30. The chance to get a little workout up and down Tarzan’s Treehouse.
31. Entering New Orleans Square and being instantly drenched in a reasonable facsimile of Crescent City culture.
32. Hearing the Dixieland jazz along the waterfront.
33. The incomparable atmosphere and art of Pirates of the Caribbean.
34. Wandering the narrow streets of the Square and enjoying the classy boutiques.
35. The Creole Cafe's famous Monte Cristo sandwich.
36. Visiting the railroad engine parked at the station and playing with the whistle.
37. The outstanding experience that is the Haunted Mansion (with or without the holiday overlay).
38. Moseying by Splash Mountain and hearing the regular rhythm of screams and splashes from riders.
39. Riding Splash Mountain yourself after the previous item built up your anticipation.
40. Burgers and fries at the Hungry Bear.
41. Spotting your favorite semi-obscure character.
42. Spotting your favorite semi-obscure character...as a Disney-bound!
43. Heading into Frontierland and feeling the spirit of the Old West.
44. Filling a bag with tumbled semi-precious stones in Bonanza Outfitters.
45. Catching a show in the Golden Horseshoe.
46. The rip-roaring, teeth-rattling thrills of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
47. The oh-so-distinctive sigh of the Mark Twain's steam whistle.
48. Chasing down a fellow guest to give them the cell phone or bag you saw them forget in the restroom.
49. Walking underneath the Castle into Fantasyland.
50. Playing with Clopin's Music Box in Fantasy Faire.
51. Face time with your favorite Princess.
52. The regal, medieval-styled window displays and merchandise of the Heraldry Shoppe.
53. Seeing little girls come out of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique all glammed up and loving it.
54. Glancing up at a Gothic arched window to see the startling glare of the Evil Queen.
55. Soaring over London and Neverland in a suspended pirate ship.
56. Joining Mr. Toad for a surreal automotive rampage.
57. Following Pinocchio on his trek to places of horror and back home again.
58. The King Arthur Carrousel, full stop.
59. “Trying” to pull the sword out of the stone.
60. Watching children experience the joy of flight with Dumbo.
61. Chicken sausage sandwich at the Village Haus.
62. Cruising past the exquisite miniatures of Storybook Land.
63. Seeing how fast you can spin your Tea Cup.
64. Trying on hats in the Mad Hatter…and seeing a face that's not your own peek out of the mirror!
65. Winding left, right, up, down, in, and out through Wonderland.
66. Coming face-to-face with—and then escaping—the Matterhorn’s savage Yeti!
67. Hot corn on the cob from Edelweiss Snacks.
68. Watching the “it’s a small world” Clock Tower strike the quarter hour.
69. Drifting through the seven seas as the children of the world sing of peace on earth.
70. Enjoying a performance of “Mickey and the Magical Map.”
71. Popcorn in a souvenir bucket.
72. Touring Mickey’s Toontown, pressing every button and reading every sign.
73. Whirling through the back alleys on Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin.
74. Meeting Mickey and Minnie in their own homes.
75. Mickey Mouse ice cream bar!
76. Beating your high score on Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.
77. Doing your part to save the Galaxy on Star Tours.
78. Experimenting with the build-a-lightsaber and build-a-droid kiosks in Star Traders, even if you don't buy one.
79. Watching the padawans train at the Jedi Training Academy.
80. Experiencing the biggest high-thrills of all on (Hyper)Space Mountain.
81. Immersing yourself in the exhibits of the Star Wars Launch Bay.
82. Taking a one-way or round trip on the Monorail.
83. Seeing the sights on a bona-fide underwater cruise on the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage.
84. Encountering the same people several times throughout the day and making friends even if you'll never see them again.
85. Sitting down for a spectacular daytime parade.
86. Finding that perfect pin for sale or trade.
87. Marching down the sidewalk in concert with the Disneyland Marching Band.
88. Joining your fellow citizens* for the evening Flag Retreat Ceremony.
89. Dinner in your favorite restaurant.
    89a. Cobb salad at the Carnation Cafe.
    89b. Fried chicken and mashed potatoes at the Plaza Inn.
    89c. Gourmet cuisine in the Blue Bayou (especially with a waterside table).
    89d. Beef stew in a sourdough bread bowl at the French Market, accompanied by a live jazz band.
    89e. A three-taco combo at the Rancho Del Zocalo.
    89f. Pasta marinara at Redd Rockett's Pizza Port.
90. Sitting down for an even more spectacular nighttime parade.
91. Watching the fireworks from in front of the Castle or on the Small World Promenade.
92. Browsing ornaments, mugs, and collectibles in the China Closet.
93. Browsing clothes and accessories at Disney Clothiers, Ltd.
94. Browsing fine art in the Disney Gallery.
95. Browsing everything in the Emporium.
96. Submitting a Cast Member compliment at City Hall.
97. Exiting the park completely satisfied with your day.
98. Making it back to the car and feeling your feet rejoice.
99. Finally arriving back home and having the luxury to sleep after such a long day.
100. Dreaming of the magic.

I've reached the end of the list, but not the end of the blog. Leave your own examples of magical moments in the comments, and here's to the next 100 posts!

* We are all still Americans. Let there be some things on which we are still united.