The Happiest Place on Earth

amandagoss
Jul 23, 2016
2 min read

So where is the happiest place on Earth? DISNEYLAND of course! This made Tokyo Disneyland (東京ディズニーランド) a must see destination. According to The Lonely Planets Japan Guidebook Disneyland Resorts is the most visited attraction in Tokyo and today I am going to find out why. I have been looking up the list of things to do and I am really looking forward to going on the It's a Small World ride!

Post Disney Update: Well I definitely believe it is the happiest place on earth. I didn't stop smiling all day! Compared with the theme parks on the Gold Coast, Disneyland goes above and beyond expectations with a number of shows and parades throughout the day. As I work for a theme park at home I could really see the difference between Australian theme parks and Disneyland. Disneyland had characters to meet everywhere you went. It also had many more shows for guests to see and rides for guests go on. And for those wondering, I did go on the It's a Small World ride and thoroughly enjoyed it.

We were especially lucky to be there during Tanabata (七夕). Tanabata, which is also known as the Star Festival, is held on the evening of July 7. The festival is based around the story surrounding the Cowherd Star (Altair) and Weaver Star (Vega), lovers separated by the Milky Way. They were only allowed to meet once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh month. Hence the Tanabata festival was born. As part of the festival children and adults write their wishes on narrow strips of coloured paper and hang them, along with other paper ornaments, on bamboo branches placed in the backyards or entrances of their homes. They then pray hard that their wishes will come true. Disney had colored mickey mouse paper for everyone to write their wishes upon. I wrote my wish down, and strung it up on the tree along side everyone else's. It was a special moment and not something you would see in Australia. There also was a special Tanabata parade where all the characters came out wearing traditional Japanese festival outfits. It was very beautiful.