Dear Diary, Today was a day like no other. As I woke up this morning, I had a strange feeling in the air. It felt as if something magical was about to occur, but I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was. Little did I know that this day would be a day to remember - a day when magic happened. As I went about my normal routine, I noticed small signs of magic all around me. The sun seemed to shine brighter, casting a warm glow on everything it touched.
While the Disney characters and floats are, indeed, magical, it's the dancers and their avant-garde wardrobes that give this parade its energy.
After Mickey Mouse and his pals kick off the parade, you ll be treated to many more floats and characters from various Disney movies, including some that have never been in a Disneyland parade before. Note I m aware that in all likelihood Magic Happens will return in 2024, but just in case it pulled a Paint the Night, I wanted to make sure I watched it again.
The sun seemed to shine brighter, casting a warm glow on everything it touched. The birds were chirping in perfect harmony, their melodies creating a soothing symphony. As I walked down the street, I noticed people wearing smiles on their faces.
Trip Report: Final (2023) "Magic Happens" Parade was like seeing Taylor Swift Eras Tour in theaters
I know what you're thinking: "that sounds miserable". But the point I'm trying to convey is that the atmosphere on Sunday was like going to your favorite artists concert and being surrounded by like minded fans who share in the same passions you do. As Disney fans, I think we sometimes find it difficult explaining to "non Disney adults" why we enjoy going to the parks as much as we do. So by that token, I find joy in meeting people who enjoy the parks the way as I do.
This last weekend, the purpose of my visit was to send off Magic Happens. I'm typically the type that watches a parade once, then uses that time on ensuing visits to do attractions while wait times are lower. This Sunday though, my only goal was to see Magic Happens from the end of the parade route because I imagined the performers might wave as the gates closed behind them one last time. The parade itself takes about 20 minutes to go end to end of the park, so it would be about 6:50 by the time the parade reached small world. I wanted to make sure I had a good spot and ended up getting to small world by 4:45 where people were already seated behind tape marked on the ground. There was a rope across the path and I was informed that they "may" (wink wink) drop the rope and allow guests to view from the extended small world queue. A group of us milled about and chatted about all things Disney. What we were wearing that day, parade impressions, etc. I ended up chatting with an older couple who were just the absolute sweetest.
After awhile, CM's allowed us to sit at the very very end of the parade route. Here, seating was only to one side of the walkway which would mean that the performers would direct their full attention to our side. We sat about 3 rows deep and waited. One girl asked "I'm gonna be singing, I hope that's okay with everyone." Two others quickly chimed in "I'm gonna be singing too. don't even worry about it." Everyone in our area quickly bonded over our love for the parade, and our sadness that the parade was coming to an end. We talked about our favorite elements from the show, appreciation for the quality of the performers, music, and choreography, and just generally reminisced on this and past shows/fireworks.
At about 6:50, that opening music started and what followed was 15 minutes of non-stop cheering and singing. The loudest cheers went to the dancers between each of the floats. There was so much appreciation for their energy and hard work which sometimes gets less attention than the Disney characters. I think you could see some of the performers get emotional as we saw a small handful appear to wipe tears from their eyes. Things went up a notch when the floats transitioned from Frozen to the Finale because let's be honest, that last part is an absolute BOP. Singing intensified and at one point, one of Tiana's banner guards lifted his arms in the air and cupped his hand to his ear. All of us responded in kind, singing even louder. It was a great scene to be a part of.
In the past I would have stayed away from opening and closing days for fear that crowds and lines would be busier than normal. I've never been the type that needed to see something on opening day or to say I was the last to see it. But after getting a Magic Key and having the flexibility to go to the park and not feel like I need to maximize value, I've really enjoyed coming on some of these milestone days because I've met some incredible passionate people. The Parks and the CM's are a large component of the Magic. But guests create Magic too. In times like these, I think back to Hercules and "I Can Go the Distance" when he sings about how he yearns for "a far off place where a great warm welcome will be waiting" for him. That's what Disneyland is to me and I'm grateful for the spirit and kindness of Cast Members and strangers alike, and being able to share these moments with other Disney fans.
(Note: I'm aware that in all likelihood Magic Happens will return in 2024, but just in case it pulled a Paint the Night, I wanted to make sure I watched it again.)
It was as if a wave of happiness had swept over the entire town. Strangers greeted each other with warmth and kindness. It felt as if the world had become a better place overnight. Curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to explore further to uncover the source of this magic happening. I stumbled upon a local park, where children were playing with boundless joy. They were laughing, running, and playing together without a care in the world. It was a heartwarming sight to behold. But the magic didn't stop there. As I continued my journey, I came across a street artist painting a beautiful mural. With each stroke of the brush, colors came to life, creating a masterpiece that seemed to come alive before my eyes. The artist had a twinkle in his eye, as if he knew the magic that was happening around us. As the day went on, I noticed more and more instances of magic. People were pursuing their dreams with renewed passion and dedication. Relationships were being mended and forgiven. Acts of kindness and generosity were happening left and right. It was as if the magic had touched the hearts of everyone, inspiring them to be the best versions of themselves. As the day drew to a close, I couldn't help but feel grateful for witnessing such a magical phenomenon. It reminded me that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope. Magic can happen when we least expect it, reminding us of the beauty and wonder that exists in this world. So, dear diary, I write to you to remember this day forever. A day when magic happened in 2023. A day when the world felt like a fairytale come to life. A day that serves as a reminder to always keep believing in the magic that surrounds us, even in the most ordinary of days. Yours truly, [Your Name].
Reviews for "Journey into Fantasy: Magic Happenings in 2023"
1. Emma - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "Magic happenz 2023". The plot was confusing and didn't make any sense. The character development was shallow and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. The writing style was awkward and seemed forced. Overall, I found the book to be a complete waste of time and would not recommend it to anyone.
2. John - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Magic happenz 2023" but it failed to live up to my expectations. The story started off promising, but it quickly became convoluted and hard to follow. The pacing was all over the place and I found myself losing interest halfway through. The ending was unsatisfying and left too many loose ends. While the concept was intriguing, the execution fell flat.
3. Sarah - 2.5 stars - "Magic happenz 2023" had an interesting premise, but it lacked depth in its execution. The characters were one-dimensional and difficult to root for. The world-building was inconsistent and left too many unanswered questions. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to fully immerse myself in the story. Overall, I was hoping for more and felt let down by the end.