Forever Magical
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Complimentary buttons given to all guests and Disneyland Resort cast members

I set the alarm for 7:30a but woke up before it sounded. Bright sunlight filled the room and the crisp cool air was invigorating. I’ve been looking forward to this day for weeks. The previous night I completed the 75 Mickeys project I’d been working on for LP and also gave a listen to some of the tunes I’d selected for the radio station. These projects just built my enthusiasm. I could hardly wait for the day to begin.

I’d selected four Mickey t-shirts to choose from for the special day. One was a gift from the Disney Store Chicago, it was bright red with a smiling Mickey Mouse standing on it. The second I has purchased during Disneyland’s Blast to the Past celebration, it featured Mickey and the gang in a classic convertible and its color were the flurouscents popular in the 80’s. Then there was the shirt featuring Totally Minnie, and finally the traditional white T featuring Mickey standing that was a gift from Disneyland Paris. I opted for that t-shirt and also threw on my favorite oversized Disneyland sweatshirt featuring the little guy. Doobie and I purchased mouse ears last week in preparation for Mickey’s birthday and he already had his on and was waiting for me. I put on my mouse ears and my Mickey shaped nametag from Disneyland Paris. All neat and pretty, it was time to go.

We arrived at the Mickey and Friends structure before it opened. As we waited our friend Daniel stopped by to say hi. His visit is part of the reason I love days like this. There’s a hometown feel to Disneyland special events and as you walk through Disneyland on these days you often end up stopping every so often to say hi to the “neighbors” and find out what’s been happening in their lives since the last event.

Disney Artists Stacia Martin & Joe Yakovetic were on hand with supplies to teach guests to draw Mickey Mouse in a variety of media.

Exiting the parking lot tram, I spotted the line of guests gathered to purchase the day’s special edition pin standing outside World of Disney. The World of Disney oversized windows that usually feature classic Disney moments were filled in 24 inch tall Mickey sculptures in a variety of costumes. The sculptures will be on display for several months and then will be auctioned off on January 31, 2004. I really liked the Mickeys dressed in the Haunted Mansion costume and the Pirates of the Caribbean costume, right down to the striped socks. There was also a Santa Mickey, St. Patrick’s, and Sheik Mickey. The Mickeys were really adorable and will be easier to display than Walt Disney World’s 6’ tall ones that I’d seen in Associated Press photos. Those, however, look so cool and I can’t wait to them in person when the come to Disneyland Resort on display next Spring.