With the Disney World soundtrack in my possession and the lyrics all mostly lodged into my brain, I ventured off into uncharted territory (for me) in 2004. I was seventeen years old and it was ostensibly a trip to, at least in part, celebrate my good behavior in school and stuff. My parents and I drove up the coast — or, I guess it was down the coast — of California from Anaheim to San Francisco. And that meant going to Disneyland!
I’d never been to California, but the top thing I wanted to do was go to Disney there. If you’ve been reading this blog so far, are you at all surprised? Not only is it the other Disney park in the United States, it’s also the home of the original Haunted Mansion!
Thanks to the awesome website DoomBuggies, I was no stranger to the original mansion’s architecture. I also knew all about how the stretching room is actually an elevator that actually takes guests downstairs. However, it’s no fun just to read about it. I had to experience it for myself!
I would never pick between them. Both Haunted Mansions in the U.S. are my favorite. But, if I had to choose based on the outer architecture, then Disneyland’s wins! It doesn’t hurt that green is my favorite color… The park was not particularly busy on the day we went (Remember when that was a thing?) so my parents and I were actually able to ride it several times. Later in the night, my dad and I alternated between riding the Haunted Mansion and riding the Pirates of the Caribbean several times. It was blissful.
Leaving Disneyland was emotional for me, because I knew I wouldn’t be able to come back any time soon. Disney World is closer to where I live. To this day, I have not been back to Disneyland, but it is something I gravely look forward to…
after the laughter 