The whole theme park was such a nostalgia blast. I really felt like a kid again going around the park. Actually, I think being an adult helped me enjoy the park more. Since I pretty much recalled all the Disney movies I saw as a kid as I went around the park.
Although I think the nighttime fireworks display, Disney In the Stars, really capped off what was a great day at Disneyland.
And I'll never forget the moments leading up to the show.
Seated on the set of benches on the north-east side of the flower bed in front of the castle, I was patiently waiting for the show to start. The voice on the PA system then alerted that the show was starting in 10 minutes. People had begun crowding the area for a while now and the area was getting really packed in anticipation of the show.
Suddenly, from the right, came in this really pretty Chinese girl. She wore her long, black hair in a ponytail and she had on a leather jacket with a down collar. She was with a friend who was wearing a striped jacket, I think. I don't really recall what her friend looked like. Her friend had her back to me the whole time. After a few seconds of adoring this girl, she turns to face me and catches me staring at her.
As I've done for years, I looked away after the first second of eye contact. I would glance at her on occasion though, and there were a couple of times I saw her looking at me talking to my dad (who was sitting next to me).
Moments later, the show started. The lights dimmed and music from Disney movies of the past started blaring through the speakers. Music from the first Fantasia started playing. Videos of it were projected on the castle walls, and beautiful fireworks started illuminating the sky.
For a while, I was so absorbed in the fireworks display I just sat there with a grin on my face, camera in hand, recording a video of the sight.
Then after a while the music switches to "A Whole New World" from Aladdin. For the younger ones who may not be aware. This is a romantic song from the movie, as it plays in the scene where Aladdin takes the princess Jasmine on a magic carpet ride over Agrabah.
As soon as the music starts, I glance over at the pretty girl. After a while she returns my glance.
In what was the longest 5 seconds of my life, we shared that romantic moment together, smiling at each other underneath the Hong Kong night sky. Meanwhile the song went: "Unbelievable sight, indescribable feeling"
It was really such a magical moment. It felt like something right out of a movie. Two strangers meeting each other on a fateful night. Enjoying a magical moment together.
The brief romance ended after the show did though. And the real world quickly sank back in. Being with my parents, gimped me and made me very shy. I didn't even manage to get the girl's name.
But whoever you are, thank you for making my night at Disneyland a magical one.