Tokyo Disneyland
Tokyo Disneyland is clean, efficient, crowded, and full of cute figures; it’s the epitome of modern Japan. And the ultimate date-spot for high school couples. Hand in hand, they walk around the meticulously groomed grounds, munching popcorn, turkey leg, and other American treats. The lines are longest for the scary rides- the ones where you hold on tight to your partner.
We plummeted out of Splash Mountain into a fog-covered frothing pool, our screams echoing the whole way down. Then we watched the Disney Parade, with Mickey and Minnie in a red convertible, followed by all their favorite friends. By sunset I was a bouncing bundle of anticipation, clutching the reserved ticket to Space Mountain in my hand. Walking up the metal gang-plank, the memory of my first ride was fresh.
I was Six years old, waiting at the opening gates to Disney World with Daddy, then running, rushing through the park to beat the line. I watched the height-restriction bar moving towards me as we advanced through the line, filled with desperate nervousness that I was too short, that they would turn me away. I propped my ball cap up, slipped my heels high in my sneakers, and stood straight as a board. And they let me through! Joy! My heart racing, I boarded the shuttle and shot off into the dark starry expanses of outer space, screaming with excitement.