As students hit high school entering a foreign environment filled with new friends, classes, and drama, many students hold up on their appreciation for fairy tales and magic after childhood. For three Portola High School students, Disneyland continues to serve as a space filled with nostalgia and joy.  

For many high school students, childhood interests fade as academic pressure grows. But for sophomore Luna Kim, Disney remains an essential part of her life. Having grown up watching Disney television shows, she developed an early love for Disney that has continued to this day. 

Kim visits Disneyland twice a year with her family. During each visit, Kim and her family follow a similar routine: they start their day by getting to the park early, carefully planning out their ride itinerary.

“We usually go [for] two days straight, so on the first day we go to [Disneyland Park], and on the second day we go [to California  Adventure],” Kim said. “We buy the FastPass ticket to go to the rides that are scary first, so we don’t get caught up in lines.”

For junior Ellie Yen, Disneyland is a memory built from small, unexpected moments that stuck with her as she enjoyed her treats throughout her Disney journey. Her earliest connection to Disneyland came from the excitement of family trips and the small treats that came with them.

“When I went to Disneyland with my family, the only thing that I fell in love with was the fact that my parents would buy me sweets [such as] churros and lollipops,” Yen said.

Over time, Yen’s experiences at Disneyland have shifted from delicious snacks to connection-building. Whether it was screaming on Splash Mountain with friends or spending hours in the line bonding with classmates during a middle school orchestra trip, she remembers the park for the people she shared them with. 

“My most memorable experience was going with the middle school honors orchestra,” Yen said. “It let me interact with people I otherwise wouldn’t have talked to.”

For junior Genevie Nguyen, Disneyland is a place filled with childhood memories and family traditions. Nguyen first visited Disneyland when she was around seven years old and quickly became fascinated by the iconic castle and thrilling rides. As Nyugen grew older, Disneyland built deeper connections and bonding between her and her family. 

“It’s fun to share memories with [family] in Disney because me and my family don’t have a lot of time to spend together,” Nguyen said. “So Disney is really memorable and special to share it with them.”