Posted 10:24 pm Sunday, February 24, 2013
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Once upon a day at Disney...
By VANESSA PEARSON
vpearson@tylerpaper.com
In the summer of 2007, I was a 24-year-old intern trying everything Southern California had to offer, including spending one day at the iconic Disneyland and California Adventure. Looking back at the photographs, I realize a few things: No. 1, I'm a goober in nearly every shot, No. 2, Disneyland equals happiness, and No. 3, I'm thinner and have better hair now.
vpearson@tylerpaper.com
In the summer of 2007, I was a 24-year-old intern trying everything Southern California had to offer, including spending one day at the iconic Disneyland and California Adventure. Looking back at the photographs, I realize a few things: No. 1, I'm a goober in nearly every shot, No. 2, Disneyland equals happiness, and No. 3, I'm thinner and have better hair now.
I arrived excited and bright eyed on the tram, ready for a day of fun. My friend Eldes, who took the photos, caught me with hilarious faces every time.
The lines were long to everything, but I got my own teacup during nap time.
I met Piglet and it may be one of my Top 10 moments in life. (Two frames before this shot, I am giving a 7-year-old a death glare as though I wanted her to hurry up and let me have my Piglet moment.) Later, I also hugged Winnie the Pooh.
Don't think Disneyland is all fluffy and no thrill. California Screamin' shoots you into a 360-degree loop right out of the gate. I had never been more terrified on a ride, yet I look ridiculously happy here.
And you can’t leave without the ears. (In Downtown Disney, stuffed animals also can go home with a set.)
In the end, I was sunburned and exhausted. But the waits, the rides, the magic were worth it — Disneyland’s its own small world after all.
