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mrv3000 ([personal profile] mrv3000) wrote2005-07-12 11:05 am
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Back in 1985, my world revolved around horrible dayglo colors and Michael J. Fox. I was 13 years old and in my last year of junior high. Every year for a "field trip" my school would take grades 6 - 8 to Disneyland. And set us loose. Of course at that age it was really important who you went with and hung around with and what boy you sat with on Adventure Thru Inner Space. Not that I was brave enough to do anything more than sit there and giggle when the boy (whose name I can't even remember) would lean out of the car and knock on the one ahead of us.

My best friend who was always *way* more cool than me, would keep me in check so that I would be acceptable to the in-crowd. I distinctly remember her whispering to me as we followed clique into the park, "Michelle, quit bouncing!" Bouncing is so not acceptable at that age. And I still have the hat that everyone in the clique all bought, with my name embroidered on it. Not one of those Mickey ears (not cool enough) but this blue thing that the most popular girl thought looked cool, but is in fact similar to a fishing hat. But hey, it was the 80s.

This was also the year that the park was having its 30th birthday celebration. There were decorations everywhere and they gave out prizes to everyone who came in the park that year (times have changed a bit.) I won a box of popcorn. A kid in my class won a car. (Dammit.)

But in 1985 while wandering down Main Street, I decided that I was going to be there for the 50th birthday of the park. Of course I had no idea that in 2005 there wasn't going to be a year-long event like back then, but a one-day happening. July 17 to be exact.

I'm so torn right now if I should go. It will be crowded as hell - they're pretty much figuring on a "hard close" sometime during the day because they will have reached capacity. But at least the weather will be decent enough. I've heard they're giving away gold mouse ear hats and cupcakes. But still, the crowds.

I would be nuts to go. I'd probably regret it if I didn't.

[livejournal.com profile] sesaworuban asked me what the hell it was with me and Disneyland. I'm not sure I can describe. It's a part of my childhood - like a beloved community park or a childhood home. As a kid we moved around a lot, but somehow I always managed to get to Disneyland every year. It was always there, always pretty, and fun, and exciting, and safe. And that's probably why I'll always have more of an attachment to it than I should.

[identity profile] poohmusings.livejournal.com 2005-07-12 06:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Omg, if I lived in SoCal, I'd so go with you. I was there for their 35th b-day (I think) and got a free poster, and remember thinking it'd be cool to go on the 50th b-day. (And I still get a little excited each time I see a 50th b-day commercial.)

But yeah, it is going to be insanely busy that day. :( Maybe hit the park early -- like when it opens -- and get in some of your favorite rides and then beat it out of there once the crowds really start building? (My friends and I do that a lot when we go snowboarding.)

And Disneyland is a HUGE part of my childhood. Went there every other year with my family beginning when I was six or seven. Whatever compelled my parents to do that is still beyond me. My brother and I still wonder how they never throttled us with all our complaining about the lines and heat. :D

OMG, if you go, you can probably pick up a special 50th b-day mug!

[identity profile] mrv3000.livejournal.com 2005-07-12 06:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Omg, if I lived in SoCal, I'd so go with you. I was there for their 35th b-day (I think) and got a free poster, and remember thinking it'd be cool to go on the 50th b-day. (And I still get a little excited each time I see a 50th b-day commercial.)

COME DOWN!!! :D

But yeah, it is going to be insanely busy that day. :( Maybe hit the park early -- like when it opens -- and get in some of your favorite rides and then beat it out of there once the crowds really start building? (My friends and I do that a lot when we go snowboarding.)

Yeah, I'll have to go *very* early. From what I've read, they'll be queueing people up in DCA for those who want to camp out over night. Don't think I want to do that. But some parking lots are opening at 3 a.m. and others 6 a.m... I have to read up on it more.

And Disneyland is a HUGE part of my childhood. Went there every other year with my family beginning when I was six or seven. Whatever compelled my parents to do that is still beyond me. My brother and I still wonder how they never throttled us with all our complaining about the lines and heat. :D

AWWWWWW!

OMG, if you go, you can probably pick up a special 50th b-day mug!

OMGMUG!

[identity profile] poohmusings.livejournal.com 2005-07-12 11:09 pm (UTC)(link)
From what I've read, they'll be queueing people up in DCA for those who want to camp out over night.

Holy crap! And you totally want to camp out, don't you? ;)

[identity profile] mrv3000.livejournal.com 2005-07-12 11:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Um...

(Actually no. I'm old enough to really like sleep.)

My 2 cents

[identity profile] joyfulfeather.livejournal.com 2005-07-12 06:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Go. You'll regret it if you don't. It's a once-in-a-lifetime event, and you swore you'd be there. Don't let your younger self down by not going.

Re: My 2 cents

[identity profile] mrv3000.livejournal.com 2005-07-12 06:57 pm (UTC)(link)
I know. I need to just go. If I can't get in because of crowds, well then so be it. Ugh. Crowds. But yeah, I really think I need to go.

[identity profile] angst-angel.livejournal.com 2005-07-12 07:26 pm (UTC)(link)
"Michelle, quit bouncing!"

Heh. How times have changed, right? ;)

I've never been to Disneyland (sigh) but I definitely think you should go. And bounce! :D

[identity profile] mrv3000.livejournal.com 2005-07-12 07:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Heh. How times have changed, right? ;)

Once a bouncer, always a bouncer I guess. :D

I've never been to Disneyland (sigh) but I definitely think you should go. And bounce! :D

Yeah, I just need to accept the crowd thing.

[identity profile] angst-angel.livejournal.com 2005-07-12 08:00 pm (UTC)(link)
*huggles* The bouncing might keep some of them away. ;)

[identity profile] mrv3000.livejournal.com 2005-07-12 08:27 pm (UTC)(link)
HA!

[identity profile] diavestra.livejournal.com 2005-07-12 07:41 pm (UTC)(link)
I was in *college* in 1985. *sigh*

You should definitely go.

I'd go but....crowds, man. When you are short, crowds are even worse than they are when you are tall. I get claustrophobic in crowds.

[identity profile] mrv3000.livejournal.com 2005-07-12 07:52 pm (UTC)(link)
I was in *college* in 1985. *sigh*

*pats*

You should definitely go.

I think I am. I probably won't stay the whole day, but still.

I'd go but....crowds, man. When you are short, crowds are even worse than they are when you are tall. I get claustrophobic in crowds.

Unless you're Karen who seems to have this magic ability to disappear then reappear *anywhere* in a large group. :D

[identity profile] diavestra.livejournal.com 2005-07-12 08:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Dude, think about it. She's *wee*. Perhaps she's a magical creature like a leprachaun!

Only now I can't stop thinking "Magically delicious!"

[identity profile] mrv3000.livejournal.com 2005-07-12 09:35 pm (UTC)(link)
HA!

[identity profile] poohmusings.livejournal.com 2005-07-12 11:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Unless you're Karen who seems to have this magic ability to disappear then reappear *anywhere* in a large group. :D

It's the claustrophobia! The only way to avoid it is to move as quickly as I can through it.

[identity profile] josephides.livejournal.com 2005-07-12 08:05 pm (UTC)(link)
"Michelle, quit bouncing!"

OMG. How cute are you?

I think you should go. You know how you are about Disneyland. Try to get Karen to come with you :D

[identity profile] mrv3000.livejournal.com 2005-07-12 08:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Sadly Karen refuses to fly down. I think you need to tell her to.

[identity profile] poohmusings.livejournal.com 2005-07-12 11:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Gimme money and I will. :)

[identity profile] mrv3000.livejournal.com 2005-07-12 11:14 pm (UTC)(link)
If I were a rich person, I would. Wah!

[identity profile] alliesings.livejournal.com 2005-07-13 01:45 am (UTC)(link)
I remember back when we used to go every summer. *sigh* And my parents both had 35 t-shirts for the 35th anniversary. I hope you make it!

[identity profile] mrv3000.livejournal.com 2005-07-13 03:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Awwww. :)

I hope so too. Have been running myself ragged at work lately so I'm tired all the time, but I'm really going to try.