Why Disneyland Truly is MY Happiest Place on Earth

I just started planning my family's annual trip to Disneyland to celebrate my daughter's fifth birthday.  I purchased our tickets Mickey's Halloween Party, costumes are picked out, and the hotel is booked -- everything is coming together quite nicely.  I'm so excited to visit my favorite place, with my favorite people, during the best time of year.  This will be my third time visiting Disneyland this year.  To some, that may seem like a lot, but to me, that is not nearly enough. That idea is very hard for some people to understand.

Yes, the lines can be long and the crowds can be draining.  The drive is boring and travel expenses can be costly, but it's all worth it to me.  The joy and magic that Disneyland gives me has always been there for me, and I hope it always will be.  In fact, my slight obsession with Disneyland is so intense that, at times, it becomes an issue in my marriage.  My husband and I had very different childhoods.  Neither was close to perfect, but what he experienced growing up was slightly more "normal" than mine. So understandably, it's hard for him to comprehend what my life was like when I was young.  When I think back to my childhood, I'm often left with feelings of hurt, anger, pain, and loneliness, but I do have a few special memories from my childhood.  Those happy thoughts have helped me get through some very dark places in my life.

I may not have had the happiest upbringing, but I did have the happiest place on earth.  I was lucky enough to visit Disneyland several times growing up and that is where a lot of those cherished memories were made.  When I felt lowest in my life, those memories kept my spark of happiness and hope alive.  Every time I visit Disneyland I get to relive those memories.  When I return to my favorite place, it's like I'm recharging my happy thoughts.  Now that I'm a mom and wife, I not only have two more reasons to smile, but I get to create brand new magical memories with my own little family -- adding to my little bank of happiness.  Those joyful moments spent skipping down Main St., singing on rides, and dancing during parades helped me then and they help me now. 

To some, Disneyland is just a theme park. It's a place to ride rides, indulge in sweets, and watch fireworks and parades, but to me, it's much more. It represents a literal place of happiness in my life which, at times, can be full of emotional obstacles.  Disneyland embodies a place of security and peace, a place where I know I can't help but feel happy.

So yes, I go to Disneyland a lot, and yes, I will continue to go as much as I can. Because to me -- Disneyland really is the happiest place on earth.