Turning 21 at the Disneyland Resort

I originally wrote this piece for the readers of Babes in Disneyland. You might be wondering, whyever would I choose THIS topic for THOSE readers? Because I assure you, in the wave of a wand, your babes will come of age. When your Peter Pan is weaned at Neverland; when every first step, double-digits birthday celebration, communion and graduation has a Disney Park as its backdrop, there should be no other place to begin the “awfully big adventure” into manhood. What follows is the pixie dust that will sail our 21 year old into everlasting youth.

– Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen The perfect birthday dinner for a 21 year old; Mardi Gras decoration, sweet jazz, juicy steaks, a candle in the Bananas Foster and his first Hurricane. An instant party and the perfect place to flex his new wings!

– Downtown Disney District Ideal for people watching, (OK, girl watching), and soaking in the live outdoor entertainment until the wee hours. Professional musicians abound, and there is dancing in the streets- literally.

– Trader Sam’s- Enchanted Tiki Bar From the Kahlua Pork Flatbread to the HippopotoMai Tai, this homage to the Jungle Cruise, defunct Adventurer’s Club in Orlando and Enchanted Tiki Room will satisfy our 21 year old’s appetite for irreverent humor. We plan on spending a full evening here. After a drink at the wild and crazy bar, we’ll sit outside, eat, and listen to the band. The nearby outdoor fireplace will be the perfect place to hang out and make plans for the day ahead. Very California cool.

– Starbucks Yes, it just happens to be opening in June along with its new home; Buena Vista Street. Every college student in America seems to require one these caffeinated concoctions to begin their day. Its location inside the Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Cafe will allow him to receive his attitude adjustment, and the rest of us to drink in the architecture of Carthay Circle Theater, while keeping an eye out for that Red Car Trolley.

Used with written permission of Babes in Disneyland

– No matter the age, every member of my family is busting to get our first look at Cars Land. We can’t wait to fly with the Radiator Springs Racers, but I know his California Adventure highlight will be the World of Color. He was 6 when he first saw Fantasmic!, and this water spectacular is, for him, a grown-up version of that experience. As a music major, he’s been listening to its score since it previewed in 2010, and witnessing it in person will be true starstuff.

– This is the video game generation. My 21 year old has broken in every new gaming system since the early 1990’s, so we know in advance that we will ride Paradise Pier’s Toy Story Mania! over and over again until he is satisfied with his score (nothing under 250,000 will do). Secretly, I know he’ll be rehearsing for our multiple interactions with Mr. Potato Head in the queue!

– Mad T Party ElectTRONica will be replaced this summer by an all-new entertainment celebration. Located in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot, this Alice in Wonderland/Tim Burton inspired party should offer just the right mix of music, special effects and specialty cocktails to turn my son and his friends into the “Lost Boys”- but just for one evening!

Disney Co.

My boy DID grow up, but with a song in his heart, and a childhood full of “lovely wonderful thoughts”, he will hopefully never loose his inner child. At the Happiest Place on Earth, our 21 year old will not be shutting the window on his youth; as Walt said, he will officially be an adult with a “child’s approach to life”. What more could a Disney mother ask for??

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