It’s usually our parents who take us to Disneyland for the first time. And I just can’t imagine those childhood trips without my Dad.

omorrowland was Dad’s realm. He loved Science Fact as well as Science Fiction. Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, Arthur C. Clark and the universe they studied were made to come alive for me and my brother. Some of his favorites to share with us were the Mission to Mars, Monsanto’s Journey Through Inner Space, and the Submarine ride. He loved the way they were themed and the little tricks Imagineers did to make you think you were really shrinking or really going up into space. I can still remember my Dad holding down the pedal on the Autopia so that my little brother could drive through the course, even though his feet couldn’t reach.

t was the biggest and fastest roller coasters that were also the territory of my Dad and I. I remember him patiently waiting in that long line with me to go on Space Mountain for the first time, and a later visit when we hit it just right and were able to ride it twice in a row without waiting at all. Audio Animatronics fascinated and he always helped us see the magic in the mechanical wonder of experiences like the waiting line to Star Tours and the wonder of the Enchanted Tiki Room.

t was Dad who always brought his camera and made sure to carefully chronicle our trips. He was a devote of slide film and has always had an incredible eye, able to frame a shot just so. There are racks and racks of slides of Disneyland from our trips, including a series of America on Parade shots (a complete set of all floats) and terrific fireworks taken with 1000 speed film. Of course, there are also tons of pictures of us kids.

t was Dad who waiting in line for those Blue Bayou reservations and Dad who fought off the ants in our station wagon in the parking lot of our Anaheim hotel. Dad always ran for milk for breakfast and make sure the car was in good shape so we made it over the Grapevine.

ast year, my brother and I made a special Disneyland Memories customized CD for our Dad. We picked the tracks of all kinds of attractions that we remember as favorites that we enjoyed with our Dad, but that are not there anymore. It was an audio thank you note for all the wonderful times and memories.

owadays, my Dad still goes to Disneyland with us. The best part now is the way he enjoys his grandchildren by watching them climb around Tom Sawyer Island, act brave in the Haunted Mansion and squeal through the first roller coaster ride. My favorite Dad tradition is that roller coaster ride. He and my brother snuck off to California Adventure during our last visit to make sure they go to ride California Screamin’ together. Yep, if it’s a ride on the biggest latest roller coaster, Dad’s still your man.

Thanks Dad, for all the fun and all the memories!

I would love to hear your family's Disney traditions, please drop me a line,

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— Allison