Being a kid again in Disneyland

What did they say about what you were supposed to do when in Rome? Yes, do as the Romans do. And what would you do if you found yourself again in Disneyland, described as "The Happiest Place on Earth," 25-plus-years overdue? Be a kid again, but of course!

That’s just what Ronald Constantino, Aster Amoyo and daughter Aila and I did Monday (April 5) last week when we met up in Los Angeles where I made a side trip from San Francisco after covering the ABS-CBN Global’s The Filipino Channel’s hit 10th-anniversary show last April 3 (April 4 Manila Time) at the Cow Palace. (More on this in a later issue.)

"We have tickets already," Aster kept on texting me, "paid for by Al Chu."

Al Chu is Aster’s cousin Alfonso Chu who enjoys playing host to visiting Filipino friends and celebrities whose photos with him cover one side of his cozy bungalow at Anaheim, which he calls "The Wall of Fame," dominated by his photo with Vilma Santos, Al Chu’s all-time favorite.

Early Monday morning, Al Chu fetched me at a rundown hotel in Santa Ana which I booked through the Internet.

"Oh, my God," he exclaimed, "why do you have to stay in a barrio!?! Santa Ana is out of the way."

I knew it. Sunday afternoon when I flew to L.A. from Sanfo, I noticed how desolate and deserted that hotel was. I felt creepy walking down the corridors at the ninth floor. The morning after, something "spooky" happened. The TV set turned on by itself at 4:30 and I didn’t even touch the remote control on the side table! I’m not kidding.

I thanked all the saints in heaven when Al Chu hauled me to a far better inn (the Travelodge) before dropping Ronald, Aster, Aila and me at Disneyland which was just around the bend. Thank heavens for "perfect hosts" like Al Chu!

At the sprawling playland, Lola Aster (that’s our "term of endearment" for her) was in control, acting as our guide since she has been there and done that thrice before.

There was so much and so many things to see and marvel at and one whole day wasn’t enough. One whole week would be more like it.

After taking souvenir pictures here and there (for framing back home and/or for showing off to friends, most of whom have actually been there, too – ho-hum!!!), we proceeded to the Hyperion Theater to watch Jim Morrison’s Muppet Vision 3D. Marvelous! As the cheerful characters popped out of the screen right smack into our faces, I tried to "catch" them. It was a futile, funny attempt – if you know how a 3D show works.

When we went out, we bumped into Disneyland’s reigning royal couple – Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse – and Lola Aster didn’t stop until we had our photos taken with the pair.

Before taking a quick lunch at an Italian restaurant, we queued for the huge – as in H-U-G-E!!! – Ferris Wheel from on top of which you could see every nook and cranny of L.A. Well, almost!

Our "tour guide" temporarily lost her sense of direction, so we wandered here and there, looking for this and that. You guessed it: We felt like Alice helplessly lost in Wonderland.

Finally, we found our way to "the other side" where the rides were. "Come," said Lola Aster, "let’s ride that one," pointing to something called at our very own Star City The Wild River (you know, you get splashed with tons of water as the boat you’re riding wind around before "crashing" into a river). No way, said Ronald. But Lola Aster dared just the same, with daughter Aila in tow, enjoying to the hilt her own "15 minutes of kiddie fame."

We missed a hundred and one other thrills but we kind of made up for it by watching the Parade of Stars (don’t ever miss it if you happen to be there), first at 4:30 p.m. and then at 8:30 p.m., featuring most of the fairy-tale characters you and I have grown up loving like our own family – Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella on one float; The Lion King and Tarzan following each other on golden floats; The Little Mermaid inside a round glass cage, wagging her tail like crazy; and dozens of other characters in colorful costumes, dancing and waving and blowing kisses to the kids and kids-at-heart on both sides of the parade route.

When Al Chu picked us up at way past 9 p.m., he asked if we went to Fantasyland or Frontierland or Mickey’s Toontown or Tomorrowland or Critter Country. Or this. Or that. His face dropped when we said, "No, we didn’t have time."

But the Parade of Stars was more than enough for me.

That same night, I went to bed dreaming of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse and Snow White and Cinderella and The Little Mermaid and Tarzan and The Lion King.

Oh, to be a kid again!

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