Disneyland, The Happiest Place on Earth

Plenty of people miss their share of happiness. Not because they never found it, but because they didn't stop to enjoy it.
- William Feather

Disneyland, The Happiest Place on Earth

Once each year I eagerly part with cold, hard cash to find my happy place
We enter the airborne bus winging to sunny, warm, southern California
Raucous phone, pager, television all turned off and left behind
Dreary gray skies plummet as we rise through the billows above Puget Sound

Children buzz with anticipation, their antennae twitching at adventure in the air
Smiles slip onto their sleepy, early morning faces and they don their best behavior
Happy chatter occupies their quickly flying time

We skip through the dark entrance tunnel, emerging in the light of a brand new world
Created to please my every childlike wish, dream, whimsy and fancy
All my everyday cares slip off newly uplifted shoulders, and as phoenix rises from
Ashes, my inner child comes out to play

Pristine avenues, benches, tables, and sidewalks snap to attention as we stride past
Brightly colored streamers gesture their welcome greeting, enticing us to follow
Youthful laughter rings out as Goofy, Chip, Dale and Donald share hugs and tickles
Joyful melodies beckon from every corner of the park, can we do it all?

Hair crackles around my face as the Rocket Rods shoot me around Tomorrowland
Zip ah dee do dah! Zip ah dee ay! My oh my! What a wonderful day
Pirates swash and buckle, booming scary cannons and brightly flashing powder
Joyful, lively singers, dancers, and animals play with us as they parade past

We thirstily gulp icy water from gaily-colored refreshment carts sited throughout
Restaurants serve up crispy fried chicken and buttery corn to quickly quell hunger pangs
Noodles, chicken, cookies, all in amusing Mickey shapes charm even finicky little eaters

Disney Hotel pampers guests, just flash the special card
Packages appear in our suite like magic, Christmas shopping done in a twinkle
Photo memories dropped off by spry bell captains in flamboyant red and gold uniforms
Room service caters a majestic white linen feast of beef roast and garlic mashed potatoes

Kidlets ooh and aah as fireworks crinkle, pop and blast over the princess palace
Rejuvenated moms and dads promenade out the passageway swinging hand in hand,
Blissful babies perambulated from the park; contentment oozing from their pores

Disneyland, The Happiest Place on Earth

9/10/2004 © Sue Barton

If you enjoyed this poem, you might like to read some more. To see a complete listing of the poems I have posted on Gather, follow this link.