Disneyland is known as the “happiest place on earth.” As far as I'm concerned, that isn't typically true unless you enjoy spending most of your time standing on line (as opposed to how I spend much of my life now, online).
But for one fine day, August 21, 2007, Walt’s dream truly exceeded my wildest expectations. We arrived at D-land early and invigorated. My wife’s older sister, her husband and teenaged daughter were visiting from New Jersey. Also in the entourage that day were my wife, our son and a classmate of his.
Upon entering the gates we bee-lined for Pirates of the Caribbean as most everyone agreed that was their first choice to start the day. Upon leaving the ride, we were greeted by a couple of extra cheery Disney folk who were handing out something. Frankly, I couldn’t see what it was because it was too dark in the exit tunnel, but I took it and headed to the early morning sunshine. Once in the light, I noticed it was a lanyard with a credit-card sized piece of plastic attached to it with eight smaller pieces surrounding it. On the front it said DREAM FASTPASS.
Then it dawned on me, this indeed were the keys to the (magic) kingdom. I made sure everyone in our party was likewise bestowed, and when we found out they weren’t, my wife ran back to ask for enough for our entire party.
We were about to embark on a most amazing day. For the uninitiated, a Dream FastPass gives the wearer the powers and privilege of celebrity. All those long lines? Forget about ‘em! Disney, in its infinite marketing genius, came up with the FastPass idea years ago to give people specific times to ride rides instead of waiting endlessly on the serpentine lines they so cleverly weave. The Dream FastPass, however, lets you cut ahead of those people. You go right to the head of the line, blasting past throngs of envious, sad-eyed guests, and get on. Instant gratification care of the Mouse.
I recall the first time I went to Disneyland, the buzz in the park was that Kenny Rogers was there. Not that it excited me much (you gotta know when to hold ‘em), but it was fascinating to see how the Disneyland workers held the lines as the celebrity party dashed to each the attraction. Life, truly, as a rock star, waits for no one.
We quickly became overwhelmingly intoxicated with our Dream FastPass powers. Wanna ride Space Mountain, right now, well, let’s go. There's a long line on Indiana Jones? Who cares? Right to the front we go! When we wanted to ride that awesome California Screamin’ rollercoaster again, we took the FastPasses from the kids who didn’t want to go and went again. The looks of envy on the other visitors as well as all the employees congratulating us at every turn stay with me to this day. Subsequent visits have all been letdowns, I must admit.
Because for at least that one fine day, Disneyland lived up to its claim as being the Happiest Place on Earth.
But for one fine day, August 21, 2007, Walt’s dream truly exceeded my wildest expectations. We arrived at D-land early and invigorated. My wife’s older sister, her husband and teenaged daughter were visiting from New Jersey. Also in the entourage that day were my wife, our son and a classmate of his.
Upon entering the gates we bee-lined for Pirates of the Caribbean as most everyone agreed that was their first choice to start the day. Upon leaving the ride, we were greeted by a couple of extra cheery Disney folk who were handing out something. Frankly, I couldn’t see what it was because it was too dark in the exit tunnel, but I took it and headed to the early morning sunshine. Once in the light, I noticed it was a lanyard with a credit-card sized piece of plastic attached to it with eight smaller pieces surrounding it. On the front it said DREAM FASTPASS.
Then it dawned on me, this indeed were the keys to the (magic) kingdom. I made sure everyone in our party was likewise bestowed, and when we found out they weren’t, my wife ran back to ask for enough for our entire party.
We were about to embark on a most amazing day. For the uninitiated, a Dream FastPass gives the wearer the powers and privilege of celebrity. All those long lines? Forget about ‘em! Disney, in its infinite marketing genius, came up with the FastPass idea years ago to give people specific times to ride rides instead of waiting endlessly on the serpentine lines they so cleverly weave. The Dream FastPass, however, lets you cut ahead of those people. You go right to the head of the line, blasting past throngs of envious, sad-eyed guests, and get on. Instant gratification care of the Mouse.
I recall the first time I went to Disneyland, the buzz in the park was that Kenny Rogers was there. Not that it excited me much (you gotta know when to hold ‘em), but it was fascinating to see how the Disneyland workers held the lines as the celebrity party dashed to each the attraction. Life, truly, as a rock star, waits for no one.
We quickly became overwhelmingly intoxicated with our Dream FastPass powers. Wanna ride Space Mountain, right now, well, let’s go. There's a long line on Indiana Jones? Who cares? Right to the front we go! When we wanted to ride that awesome California Screamin’ rollercoaster again, we took the FastPasses from the kids who didn’t want to go and went again. The looks of envy on the other visitors as well as all the employees congratulating us at every turn stay with me to this day. Subsequent visits have all been letdowns, I must admit.
Because for at least that one fine day, Disneyland lived up to its claim as being the Happiest Place on Earth.
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