I’ve just returned from a trip to the Happiest Place On Earth.
Disneyland!
It doesn’t matter if it’s pouring rain (it was) or if there are a gazillion people there (like the time the park reached capacity by noon- 80,000+ people!), but a visit to Disneyland guarantees a fantabulous day.
The churros are amazing and the rides are super fun. Plus, there’s something about being immersed in a make-believe world that makes worries about work, bills, and all that mundane stuff just disappear. Yay!
In college I took a History of Disney course (and received 3 credits for it) where the professor pointed out that when you’re in Disneyland you can’t see anything else. The freeways and hotels are entirely blocked out.
Walt Disney was a smart guy.
I think you can see where this is going. A book should guarantee the same immersion. Different genres will have different levels of world building, but all novels should let the reader escape into a new world. I used to be wary of boring a reader with minutiae, but now I’ve discovered those little details make a scene richer. Plus, it gives me an outlet for nifty-neato tidbits I find while researching.
Fun things I managed to pull into my novel: Eating off monkey heads, using crocodile dung for birth control, and shaving off eyebrows to mourn cats.
More on all that coming soon!
I love Disneyland! I had heard about that maximum capacity day… we had thought about driving the few hours distance to go, glad we didn't. I agree the churros are awesome! Nothing like one while wandering Main Street 🙂
Happy New Year!
Okay, now I'm gonna see myself in Disneyland as I write. hee-hee. Really, that's a good tip to be sure the worlds we create are complete and enveloping. I'm glad you had fun, even in the rain. 😀
What a fun correlation between Disneyland and a book! But the line in your post that royally peeked my interest was, "using crocodile dung for birth control". Can't wait to hear that explanation!
Svea- We were there two years ago when the park closed at noon. I didn't realize how many people the park could hold until then!
Tricia- Ha! The rain was cold, but we figured it kept 40,000 people out of the park. I'll take it!
Catherine- Crocodile dung is coming soon, hopefully this week!
I CANNOT wait to go to Disneyland!!! Only 6 months to go!!!!!
The one and only time I went to Disneyland, I was 3 years old, and the only thing I can remember is what feels like a dream of riding the dumbo ride with my mom. I know from pictures and stories that I was DESPERATE to meet Goofy and have my picture taken with him (he was my favorite) and then when they finally let me (he was on his way to the parade of lights and didn't have time) I was too scared to go by myself, so my sister had to stand with me. ha!
As usual you're absolutely right about the writing 🙂
We're taking our kids to Disneyland this summer. I've never been there, so I'm just as excited as they are! LOL. And Steph, that last paragraph has my full attention – do tell!! 🙂
Crocodile dung for birth control???? Sounds interesting. Glad you had a good time at Disneyland.
The best thing about Disneyland is that it's like being in a kids head. laws of reality just don't apply. Part of me is kind of hoping that the details you mention aren't real but I'm not thinking that is the case.
When I lived in California in the 80's, I found out that the best time to go to Disneyland was after an earthquake – no one there! No waiting in line!
I love Disneyland! I think what amazes me most is its appeal for all ages – there's something for everyone. If only we could achieve that with our writing.
I took a Disney class in college too. I think it was called WALT DISNEY'S INFLUENCE ON AMERICAN CULTURE. It was my favorite class ever.
I love the details too. My husband just finished reading the Percy Jackson series. He loved them. And the thing about those books is they aren't terribly original stories, but the world and the little details and the voice are all really fun.
Crocodile dung birth control sounds a little gross…
I have to admit that I'm not a big cartoon lover or Disney person, but we took the kiddies to Disney World last summer when they were 7 and 2, and you really can't help but totally enjoy the entire experience through the eyes of your children. 🙂 Soooo exciting for them! It was ridiculously hot in Florida in August but we had a blast. 🙂
It's been a while since I've been to Disneyland, but I loved taking my kids there. We always had a great time. Your post brought all those wonderful memories back. Thanks!