Just Got Happier!

editor's note: During this past summer, Disney California Adventure Park reopened to the masses with an entirely new theme and fantastic showplaces in the new Buena Vista Street entrance and an entirely new Land based on the Disney*Pixar hit, 'Cars'. At the time, the Days staff was on a self-induced vacation, and didn't attend the Grand reOpening on June 15th, or so we thought. Amy snuck this little ditty by us and I discovered it just the other day while getting some ideas of my own in order. While it is a few months old at this month, it still seems completely apropos for many reasons. Truth be told, the magic and feeling in this article is something I STILL feel each and every time I walk into the new envisionment of my Park. Since its opening, when I've spent time at The Parks, most of it HAS in fact been at the new Disney California Adventure Park. Amy did an absolutely fantastic job of capturing the feel of being there for the very first time and how it made her feel, which is something that's as strong in ME now as it was the first time I went and stood in the middle of Route 66 in Cars Land in complete and total awe. Hopefully, it's a feeling I'll never lose, and I'd be willing to bet many of you feel the same way yourselves still. In spite of the crowds, if you ever get to enjoy one of these opening Days for yourself, we hope this article will convince you to do so. So without further ado... Enjoy!

The Disneyland Resort has been buzzing with summer excitement as Disney California Adventure Park relaunched itself with a new image with the addition of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street, and Disneyland Park reopened the Matterhorn Bobsleds with all new sleds for the first time in decades and all new expanded seating at one of Disneyland's most popular restaurants, Carnation Cafe.

June 15th was the big day, and as much as I said I wasn't going to go anywhere near The Resort that day, I just couldn't stay away. That Friday night I met my dad for dinner at the Fullerton Best Buy Truck Squad (best food trucks on the planet, I kid you not), and decided that I was just going to "swing by" to see what things looked like. I knew full well that it was going to be a chaotic mess, but I couldn't not go! So off I went...

...and it was awesome!

From the moment I walked through the turnstiles, I couldn't stop smiling. There was a huge, permanent grin across my face the entire time. As I made my way down Buena Vista Street, just taking everything in, I couldn't help but think about how beautiful every little detail was. I was there alone, so I didn't have anyone to process things with, and in an effort to "live in the moment" and enjoy my first time there, I didn't bring a camera (maybe for the first time in history!). I didn't even use my cell phone except to snap one photo of a friend that I saw performing on Buena Vista Street. The only thing I could do was wander and smile!

I eventually made my way from Buena Vista Street towards Route 66 and my timing could not have been more perfect. As I anticipated, the street was packed with a wall of people but I made my way through the masses and looked at everything as I made my way to the middle of Cars Land. It was in that magical moment (do we expect nothing less?) that 'Sha-boom' started playing throughout the street, and slowly, one by one, the neon signs turned on from one end of Route 66 to the other, just like in the movie! It was absolutely perfect; the glow of the neon warmed my heart that night. Have I mentioned yet that I could not stop smiling?

I've been in Disney California Adventure Park many times since then (and with cameras this time!), and it's just as magical now as it was then, but I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a little something extra about that first time; I think my Days in the Park cohorts would agree with me there (even though they were pansies and stayed away on Day 1). If you haven't had a chance to experience it for yourself, what are you waiting for? A whole new world is calling; the all-new Disney California Adventure Park is ready for you. Just be prepared to work those cheek muscles the entire time you're there!