The mention of Disney to anyone be it young or old surfaces nostalgic memories of glittering ball gowns and fast paced cars, endearing characters on screen taking on a physical quality as we grew up together with them. It’s without surprise that in Disneyland frowns are non-existent and endless mirth tints even the most minor details of the park. Spread across two parks, the world of Disney that was once only a mirage in pixels comes to live for visitors to touch, taste and feel. With over 50 attractions, not including the special shows, souvenir and specialty shops and the whimsical food creations, the only thing you would be at a loss for within the park grounds is the ability to halt time in its tracks to create the chance to experience everything and bottle up the memories all at once.

Take a dive underwater in a submarine voyage at Tomorrowland, accompanied by the iconic clownfish Nemo and exuberant Dory through translucent fields of jellyfish and craggy subterranean volcanoes releasing endless flurries of bubbles. Be transported to the cold, unseen depths of outer space at Space Mountain, feeling your heart churning as you lose all sense of direction being tugged first one way then another before being plunged several feet underground and brought to a jerky halt at the end. As the afternoon lull sets in, travel to the Pacific islands to awaken the senses at the Enchanted Tiki Room. The home of Experiment 626, Stitch is a riot of colors and tropical windpipe serenades sung to the rhythm of tribal drums. With night fall comes the chance to escape to Neverland when Peter Pan takes your hand in a flight over the provincial cottages of Old London and across its industrial town center alive with newspaper stands and trilling bells. The spell of everlasting youth is almost believable, as you become a child of 10 once more standing before Captain Hook’s ship.

Down Buena Vista Street or Mains, cheerfully lit shop houses of stucco and arabesque invite you to leave with a piece of the magic after hours, welcoming smiles setting you right at home as the elves of the workshop pick out the perfect present. But alas, the clock has struck twelve and the mirage must be abandoned as you leave the land of endless smiles behind without a glass slipper to return to.