If you know me, you know I love Disneyland. Even the quickest of glances at this blog prove my love (and borderline obsession) with the parks. I mean, who doesn’t love Mickey Mouse, roller coasters, and fireworks?

I grew up in Southern California, and because we lived so close to Disneyland, we often had annual passes. One of my favorite childhood memories is watching the Disneyland Sing-a-long video (yes, video, on TAPE) with my sister before every visit to the Happiest Place on Earth. Even as adults you’ll be hard-pressed to find a single visit that doesn’t include some reference to “Step in Time” or “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah.” Many Christmas mornings involved looking for a rolled up annual pass certificate in the tree, and we frequently went after church for a few hours. Being a kid in Orange County definitely had its perks! Our Grandma Lott loved to take us to Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Universal Studios, pumping us full of sugar and offering to wait in long lines so we didn’t have to - most notably waiting over FOUR HOURS during opening week of the Indiana Jones Adventure, the line wrapping around the Partners statue multiple times. I still can’t believe she did that for us!

As we got older the trips were more meticulously planned, aimed at maximizing time on thrill rides. No breaks; no mercy. When I moved out of state for college, Faith and I began a new tradition - Brother-Sister Days at Disneyland. We spent the entire day at the parks just her and I, arriving before rope-drop and maximizing every second of the extra hour of shopping at the Emporium. This entirely new experience brought a new type of joy. The trips became more about quality time with my sister and creating new memories together. One of the best surprises ever was when Faith surprised me with lunch at Club 33, the most exclusive location in any theme park. There’s nothing quite like sipping a mint julep while looking out over the Rivers of America.

Simply put, Disneyland is my favorite place on the planet.

This love for all things Disneyland is at the heart of my childlike approach to life. The moment you cross under the Disneyland Railroad bridge and walk “right down the middle of Main Street U.S.A.” you’re transported in to a different world, one free of the worries of the world and the obligations of daily life. Your main concern is how to hit Rise of the Resistance at the right time, when to queue up for Fantasmic!, and where to find the nearest churro cart. If you’re lucky enough to visit with kiddos, your concerns might be a bit more complicated, but you also get to experience the joy of seeing your daughter meet Minnie Mouse for the first time and ride in a clam shell “under the sea.” I was lucky enough to visit with my two toddler nieces last week, and heck, I not only enjoyed but sang along with It’s a Small World, watching Harper experience her favorite ride.

Disneyland allows you to experience life through a child’s eyes, and Walt Disney Imagineering has meticulously planned every detail to ensure children and adults alike have the same experience. As a child, you’re enamored with seeing your favorite movies in real life. As an adult, you’re floored by the technological marvels making up your favorite rides (not to mention the simple joy of Starbucks mobile ordering). And really, I’m still overwhelmed when I see World of Color and pilot the Millennium Falcon. Have I, a 38 year old man, taken a picture with Daisy Duck? Yes. Why? Because I’m lost in the wonder of the Magic Kingdom.

When I slowly limp to the tram boarding area, I smile as I think back on the day’s magic. When my head hits the pillow well after midnight, setting my alarm to get up for an early flight, I’m still smiling. When I get back to work, I beam ear-to-ear as I share stories and pictures with colleagues. When I receive a frustratingly passive-aggressive email from that coworker, it doesn’t frustrate me quite as much, because I just had an epic experience that completely removed me from the reality of the 9-to-5. I’m a bit happier, a bit more patient, and a bit sillier, because for a couple short days, I wasn’t a grown up.

Have you been to Disneyland? If you’re not a Disney person, what theme park or location transports you back to childhood?