Disneyland holds a special place in my family’s heart so I have visited Disneyland (in Anaheim, California) more than eight times.

It’s hard not to feel happy in Disneyland, when there are cast members everywhere I go, constantly smiling and complimenting on my hair, makeup, or the clothes I am wearing. I also find the music to be one of the main reasons why the environment is so cheerful. It is very uplifting. Yet, in a theme park with forty thousand guests visiting each day, it is easy to get lost and frustrated in the chaotic shuffle as people rush to get into lines for attractions and shows, especially when you go during the summer, which is one of the busiest times of the year.

After getting off It’s A Small World, my father wanted to get the best seats possible to watch the live Beauty and the Beast show. Unfortunately, the next show was five minutes away and the Royal Theatre was quite far away from where my family was standing. To complicate the situation, I also really needed to use the restroom. My family then decided to do the worst thing you could possibly try to do at a Disney park: split up. I went to the restroom while the rest of my family went to reserve seats at the show. I assured my mom that I knew where the theater was but as I made my way through Fantasyland, I realized I had no idea where I was going. What I thought was the roof of the Royal Theatre turned out to be the roof of King Arthur’s Carousel. My heart sank as I arrived at the carousel and the Royal Theatre was nowhere in sight. I checked my cell phone to see the time and realized I had only three minutes to find my way across the amusement park and to my seat with my parents. The crowds and loud music did not ease my panic. Shoving my way through families, I was trying to stay cool on the outside so no one would suspect that something was wrong. At this point, I was too scatterbrained to ask for help.

[one_third]My family then decided to do the worst thing you could possibly try to do at a Disney park: split up.[/one_third]

Then came the angry phone calls from my parents. As my phone rung, I braced myself for what I knew was about to come and reluctantly answered the call. After being yelled at by my entire family for my carelessness, I gathered the courage to ask a cast member at a pretzel stand for some help and headed towards the right direction. Later on, I realized I’m not very good at speaking to strangers, no matter how friendly they are. I showed up ten minutes after the show started and arrived to withering looks from my parents. They were unable to sit down and watch the show since reserving seats was prohibited. After a half an hour lecture from my mother about being responsible and asking for help when I need it, we instead went to watch a show at the Golden Horseshoe where my father bought the unhealthiest food I had on that trip: a mountain of french fries, chili, and a mountain of nachos. The show’s light hearted atmosphere helped my family and me quickly recover from the chaotic episode we have experienced. That day was the first and hopefully only time I remember being frustrated and stressed out at Disneyland. The Happiest Place on Earth is not somewhere one should be in distress.