One of the best happy accidents I’ve ever made in my life – on a trip or otherwise – was planning to go to Disneyland on Halloween. It was not at all on purpose. It just happened to shake out that way. We went on the last day of our trip, which happened to be October 31st.

It was the best because not only were cast members dressed in their costumes, but so many visitors were dressed up as Disney characters. It just doubled the fun.

And I’m not going to lie – I thought I’d enjoy Universal Studios a lot and was mainly going to Disney because my friend was super excited about it. But once we got there, I got so caught up in the Disney hype and it ended up being one of my favourite days of the trip.

We arrived first thing in the morning so that we could hit a few rides before the lineups got too long. I’m not big into rides, but most of them were actually pretty tame which was nice.

I really loved getting splashed on Pirates of the Caribbean, and getting to experience the Haunted Mansion full of Nightmare Before Christmas characters on Halloween was kick-ass.

I was also sort of worried that Disneyland was mostly for kids because it was a lot of people dressed up as characters, acting like the characters for the benefit of kids.

But let me tell you: there is no age limit on fun.

We stood in many a line to meet and get photos with the most iconic characters. We met Minnie and Mickey, as well as Pluto, Snow White and Belle. But my favourite moment was meeting Gaston. Which may sound weird, so let me give you context.

As a child, I watched Beauty and the Beast on repeat. Literally the VHS tape would end, my grandma would rewind it and play it again – multiple times a day. I wanted to be as good and smart as Belle one day (books, amirite?) but even though he was the villain, my favourite part of the movie was Gaston’s song. Who doesn’t love a comedic bad guy?

So when we passed him on the path, I knew I had to meet him. And he was just like in the movie – very funny and shallow.

“You were always my favourite character as a kid.”
“Of course I was.”

Thanks to Gaston for telling me to give him a hug and “make my childhood dreams come true”. I died.

*The Millennium Falcon at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge*

The one part of Disneyland that I 100% expected to love with all my heart was the recently added Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. I am actually a huge nerd and a huge fan of Star Wars.

Walking straight into something out of the movies and then stumbling upon a big open area with the Millennium Falcon was insane, and my heart exploded with feelings.

Wandering around the park with my blue Tatooine milk, the world felt more and more real. Rey and Chewie were hanging out together, Kylo Ren would pull people from the crowds and ask if they’ve seen Rey anywhere. Storm Troopers often would approach visitors on their phones (including me) and asking them what they were doing on their “data pad” and who they were trying to contact.

It was the best thing and made me so genuinely happy in ways I can’t ever express. This is what people must mean when they say that Disneyland is the happiest place on earth.

By the end of the night, our feet were sufficiently sore, but we stuck around to watch the Halloween firework and light show – featuring a lot of Nightmare Before Christmas of course. It was such a long day of excitement, but it was for sure my favourite day in California.

You’re never too old to have fun at Disneyland, and if anything, our day in Disney taught me to not take myself so seriously.