Last week, on Friday, February 1, I celebrated my 50th birthday at Disneyland with 14 other Disneyphiles (or Disneyphiles-in-training. Or Soon-to-be-Disneyphiles who had no idea they'd end the day being Disneyphiles), riding the Indiana Jones ride, enjoying lunch at the Jolly Holiday cafe (sipping the Practically Perfect Punch, but of course ...), visiting old pals Pinocchio and Mr. Toad, and rounding out the evening with a fireworks spectacular. When the voice of Julie Andrews spoke about "dreams do come true", I cried an ugly cry, while being held by my sweet hubby - and holding hands with my Lil' Sis Sara, as she shared in the ugly cry. My dream had come true, a dream I held dear for at least five years: to bring a group of like-minded Disney fans together on my day of days, to revel in Walt Disney's creativity and soul. And for all to have the chance to become an honorary 1000th "happy haunt".
But let me begin near the end of the day, at the Court des Anges in New Orleans Square.
After dinner, but before visiting the Pirates and the aforementioned Happy Haunts, I led our intrepid troupe through the streets of New Orleans and up to the tucked-away alcove. Occasionally, the area is used for a Princess Tatiana (of "Princess and the Frog" fame) meet & greet. But it's usually just a quiet, beautiful area to rest a spell during a long day of Disney play.
I've been doing a little research; the area isn't just a place designed for no apparent reason. Seems that Uncle Walt himself was looking to open a jazz club in the Square; these stairs would've lead to that club. The space the stairs lead to is now used for storage for the exclusive Club 33, an area Walt had designed to host special guests to Land. Sadly, Walt passed before these dreams could be realized.
So. It's a quiet, still area in a busy part of the park. Few people give it much notice. But whenever I visit it, even if it's perfectly silent, I feel movement, a stirring of spirit.
Enter the group photo! Here's our gang, aged 9 to 55, a dozen+ Magicseekers, enjoying their time at the Happiest Place on Earth as the day slips into night, about to embark upon their last ride together as a bunch of Mouseketeers:
Look closely at the arched window at the left. And above Melissa, the tall girl with red hair. Could those be orbs, the manifestation of spirit - or angels? Look very closely at the larger orb. Do you see a face? Who does the face look like to you?
Friends, that is Disney magic, at its most mystical.
To see some more photos of the space, go here: http://gallery.toursdepartingdaily.com/Disneyland-Resort/Photos/16408290_jb4Kv8/1860146902_BmjjqL9#!i=1860146902&k=BmjjqL9
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