Day 964: Kiss Goodnight

While out in California, something was brought to the forefront that I've never really thought about before. One of the most amazing things about Disneyland in comparison to Walt Disney World is the fact that it's filled with such a unique history.  Disneyland is the original. It's the only place Walt has stepped foot, and beyond that, Disneyland has a population of very loyal fans. So many of the people there are regulars, some of which have traveled there throughout their lifetimes. While I've only been to Disneyland twice, and as many times as I've been to Walt Disney World, I've only been there over the period of 20 years, and the history of both resorts goes far beyond that.

Just think about it for a minute. Disneyland is 60 now, and Walt Disney World is quickly appraoching 50. We've gone from basically no attractions, to more than one park in both locations. Ticket Prices have changed time and time again. Heels got stuck in pavement once, and now you can buy heels on property. We went from A Tickets to E Tickets to Fastpasses to Phones, and we're still going. It was once said that Disneyland will never be completed as long as there's still imagination left in the world, and as we approach big changes for Disney Parks and Resorts all across the world, I think we need to keep that in mind. That's a blog post for another day though. There is, however, one thing that's never changed: The Kiss Goodnight.

Those of us who head to Disney Parks time and tiem again spend a lot of money, that's no question. It puts a huge hole in our wallets when we head to Disney Parks, but as much as we'll spend money on food and tickets and merchandise, and, in the past, even specific attractions, there's always been one thing that's free for everyone, something that we can all enjoy every night. Walt called it the Kiss Goodnight, and throughout the Disney parks it's come to life in various ways. Since 1958, Fireworks have lit up the night sky at Disneyland with Fantasy in the Sky. In the years after, many other fireworks shows would premiere at Disneyland, and back at Walt Disney World, things would only become more grand. Also at Disney World, the Kiss Goodnight has become a special secret bit of magic that rounds out every day at the Magic Kingdom, one that I try to see at least once a trip. The Kiss Goodnight, now, has expanded further into a brand new song written for the Diamond Celebration at Disneyland.

And I'd never really thought about the Kiss Goodnight before, at least not on a larger scale. The Kiss Goodnight is another of those little elements that makes Disney different from anywhere else on earth, and I like to think that, regardless of where it is, the Kiss Goodnight is a little bit of Walt with us each and every night, whether it be watching the Kiss Goodnight at Magic Kingdom, Happiness on High at the Tokyo Disneyland Resort, Disney Dreams at Disneyland Paris, Disney in the Stars out in Hong Kong, IllumiNations at Epcot, or Disneyland Forever right back at Disneyland. It's his little extra bit of Pixie Dust thrown on to the end of our Disney vacation, and it's something we can always count on, and that's an amazing idea.

But then again, the Disney Parks, no matter which one is your home, will always be ours, forever.

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on Septmeber 14 due to a tight schedule).

Day 495: Late Into the Night

Day 14 of the Disney Photo Challenge: A picture of your favorite night time activity (Existing or past) on Disney Property. 

Blast from the Past: 

I'm going to think a bit out of the box here on this one, because the first thing I thought of about night time at Disney was Extra Magic Hours. And then I thought about my favorite attraction to ride at night, and decided that's actually my favorite night time activity. 

As awesome as Extra Magic Hours are, especially at 3 in the morning and the park is just EMPTY, I really love riding Test Track at night. Now, this ride is, sadly, changing, although I'm excited to see what they are going to do with it. Anyway, after going through a series of tests with your car, you pass the surprsie test and head out on the high speed loops, which are located outside. You go out the door, take a drop and then head into the next turn, around a parking lot. In order for this to work you have to be seated on the right side of the car, and there's a point in the banked turns (making you about 5 feet higher than the person on the left) where you can look out to your left and point directly at Spaceship Earth. You are level with it...and it's just this good feeling. If it's just my family in the car I always yell out at that point and then you pull into a straight line and speed up until you turn again. There's a speedometer there, a giant one, telling you how fast you're going...which is generally between 64 and 65 MPH. Jonny and I always yelled it out, regardless if we're in a car with other people. The highest we've gotten is 64.7...which is pretty good. Test Track is the fastest attraction in any of the Disney Parks, and honestly, is way more fun to ride at night. It's just different from during the day. 

Back to the Future: 

Oh dear...so many to choose from here because I am literally such a night owl when it comes to the Disney Parks.

But currently, I'd have to say my favorite part of the night time atmosphere at Disney World is the Kiss Goodnight at the Magic Kingdom, which occurs about a half hour after park closing. I saw it for the first time last July and have just loved it ever since, trying to catch it as often as I possibly can. There's just something extra magical about it, especially when the park is super empty.

Going into the past for a second though, probably the Tapestry of Nations parade from the Millennium Celebration tops the list as well. It's a piece of my childhood to be honest because that celebration makes up some of the very first Disney memories I have...plus the Millennium Celebration brought me Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, which I love to the ends of time.

Have a magical day!

(Note: This blog post was written on August 19).