As I sat on a bench located in front of the Ferris wheel at Disneyland California Adventure Park I began to feel the hot sunrays abandoning my newly tanned skin. Distracted from the world around me, I was intensely mesmerized by the beautiful scene that stood in front of me. The only thing separating myself from the scene was a large body of water.
The enormous Ferris wheel stands on the large pier along side the only roller coaster in the park. The wheel slowly turns with some carts remaining still and some carts swinging side to side. Bright lights illuminated the Ferris wheel. Placed right in the center was the one and only Mickey Mouse. The lights would flash in unique sequences containing all different colors. Sometimes the whole wheel was purple, blue, red or a combination of all the colors. As the sun began to set more and more people crowded the bench where I was siting. The location where I was was the perfect place to get the entire scenery in the background. Couple after couple would stop and pose in front of the beautiful scenery. Small to large families posed in front of the view and most of them had trouble getting the perfect picture. Some were distracted, kids made funny faces, or they couldn’t find anyone to take the picture for them.
The night was becoming cold. The smell of churros and coffee roamed the night sky. The sound of laughter and joy was heard from across the pier. I remained sitting on the bench watching the Ferris wheel spin round and round. I could clearly hear the screams from the riders on the roller coaster. The preparation for the night show “World of Color” began as soon I was asked to leave the scene. Vendors began to sell toys that contained lights. As it darkened people began to leave. Great amounts of people walked towards the front of the park leaving paradise pier nearly empty.
My fascination for the scene remained the same through out the whole day. Even as I walked away I still turned back to see it one more time.
By observing my surroundings I become aware of how this one place brings so many individuals together. Many people travel across the world for hours or even days to come to this one magical place. People walked along side one another. Children played and smiled with each other. All ethnicities, genders, and ages are united to the one place they call the happiest place on earth. Not only does it bring people together but it also makes dreams come true. Coming to visit the park is every little kids dream. Many are fortunate to visit the park at least once. Some sadly will never visit the famous park. Everybody should have the opportunity to experience this beautiful environment. I decided that this location would be an ideal place to write about in my ethnography because not only is it beautiful but it truly is magical. Disneyland really is the happiest place on earth.
Photo Courtesy: Xiomara Arnao
The night was becoming cold. The smell of churros and coffee roamed the night sky. The sound of laughter and joy was heard from across the pier. I remained sitting on the bench watching the Ferris wheel spin round and round. I could clearly hear the screams from the riders on the roller coaster. The preparation for the night show “World of Color” began as soon I was asked to leave the scene. Vendors began to sell toys that contained lights. As it darkened people began to leave. Great amounts of people walked towards the front of the park leaving paradise pier nearly empty.
My fascination for the scene remained the same through out the whole day. Even as I walked away I still turned back to see it one more time.
By observing my surroundings I become aware of how this one place brings so many individuals together. Many people travel across the world for hours or even days to come to this one magical place. People walked along side one another. Children played and smiled with each other. All ethnicities, genders, and ages are united to the one place they call the happiest place on earth. Not only does it bring people together but it also makes dreams come true. Coming to visit the park is every little kids dream. Many are fortunate to visit the park at least once. Some sadly will never visit the famous park. Everybody should have the opportunity to experience this beautiful environment. I decided that this location would be an ideal place to write about in my ethnography because not only is it beautiful but it truly is magical. Disneyland really is the happiest place on earth.
Photo Courtesy: Xiomara Arnao
Xiomara Arnao is a student at California state University of Northridge. She dreams of one day becoming a nurse and helping those in need.