Pieces of Japan: Day 3 - The Last Ride

21 December 2009
Tokyo Disneyland, Japan

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Enter the Magic

Entrance to the Magic Kingdom

  

Christmas All-Round at Disney

Walter and Mickey.

Picture Perfect with the Epitome of Disney

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Worlds Within: Rides of Disney

It's a Small World - Subconscious Hypnosis

Pinnochio's Daring Journey - Best.Ride.Ever.

Grand Circuit Raceway -  Guess who gave a bumpy ride?

Space Mountain - Best.Ride.Ever.Really.

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Dark Disney: Disney by Night

21st Wishes at Snow White's Wishing Well

Hobo Looking for a Penny in the Well

 

Never Looked Better

Sleeping Beauty's Castle by Night

Dinner at Alice in Wonderland Cafe

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The Last Ride

"Beep, beep, blop blop." With those sounds and a score of over 30,000 points (as compared to her 6,000 points), we exited the Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters ride.

An announcement repeated over the speakers rang through the dark night sky, as we saw security personnel moving barricades in front of the ride that we had just exited from.

Over 30,000!!!

 "We hope you have enjoyed your time in Tokyo Disneyland. Please visit us again."

And indeed, we had. From the first verse of "It's a Small World", to the wonders of flight in "Peter Pan", to the pleasant surprises of Pooh's Hunny Hunt, through the winding darkness that was Space Mountain, to the (unintentional) bumps of Grand Circuit Raceway; it had indeed been a day filled with magic that could only be crafted by the hands of Disney.

"You're never too old for Disney" was my personal mantra for the day; and seeing the wondrous smile she wore on her face and her Minnie Beanie bouncing up and down from the skip in her step as we exited each ride (save Pinnochio, perhaps), reaffirmed my decision to bring her to Disney on the transitional day where she officially steps out of childhood into adulthood. I've been blessed enough to have my childhood littered with the sprinkles of magic that is Disney, and I guess I only wanted the same for her, before her childhood officially expired.

As we made our way down the pathway, a cold wind blew through us, perhaps accentuated by the absence of a crowd; and serving as a harsh reminder to the bitter cold that we had been battling with all day - from buying hot Teriyaki Chicken Legs to even hiding in the Tiki Room and putting up with a Japanese-speaking Stitch that we hadn't had the faintest idea of what he was singing about, all in the name of getting some warmth.

As we emerged from Tomorrowland back to the circle in front of the castle that served as a central hub, it was astounding to see a sight of such contrast to what we had been used to for the entire day. Absent were the crowds of families, with strollers, toddlers and hand-holding children; all passing through the central ring to get to their next destination.

But instead, a pleasant nothingness stood between us and the enchanted castle, allowing us a full view of her beauty in the darkness, and bringing about a sense of serenity not found over the entire day. Magic was definitely present over the course of the day - an innocent one that even children could relate to, but what came over us was one that was a little different. 

Nothingness

The magic that lingered in the air held a certain tinge of romance, the warm yellow street lights, as a stunning silence provided the perfect accompaniment to the warm visuals. We took our time, we ran around, posing for photos and just enjoying our surroundings, as if having the entire park to ourselves - a feeling that laid in stark contrast to the mood in the day, where we had to jostle with the crowds and join the end of the queue for our little piece of magic; and yet, here it was, presented to us in its full, naked glory as the park crept towards her closing moments.

As we took a slow walk towards Main Street USA, we heard the announcements coming over the speakers again, and we felt obliged to leave our little piece of heaven to rejoin the crowd that had formed around the brightly red-lit Christmas Tree in the centre of Main Street.

Red Christmas on Main Street

After grabbing some obligatory photos with the huge, red Christmas Tree, we walked hand in hand towards the direction of the exit, ready to say our goodbyes to the magic. Something probably caught her eye suddenly, as she let go of my hand and ran off towards one of the shop windows.

I watched her from behind, taking short and somewhat clumsy steps in her boots, body wrapped with layers upon layers of winter wear, the Minnie-ears and the dangling ends on her newly-acquired beanie bouncing in tandem as she hurried towards her target.

Something suddenly came over me and tugged at my heart-strings, as I stopped in my tracks, looking at her getting further and further away from me. I realised that that would probably be the last image that I would have of her as a kid, before she stepped out of the gates into adulthood.

After a brief pause, I took a breath and a step forward towards her. Step by step, as I slowly made my way towards her, I smiled secretly to myself, as  something within consciousness made me realise that: that was hardly a bad last image to have of her official childhood.

- Photo Album @ 21 Dec 09 -