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Originally Posted by Headliner
Magical. That’s how this day was going to be, completely and utterly magical. I’m in Disneyland the freaking happiest place on earth. It didn’t matter that it was a school trip, even cranky Mr. Berkshire couldn’t ruin this amazing day. I was getting to spend the whole day riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Space Mountain, eating churros and being completely immersed in the amazing Disney universe. And to makes things just that much better Sam asked if he could be my buddy for the day. Sam! This day would definitely be magical.
That expectation was still in place as we lined up for the rope drop. I stared up at Sleeping Beauty’s castle and felt the excitement coursing through my body. As soon as the rope dropped Sam and I rushed to get a fastpass for Space Mountain and then ran across the park to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. After our third time on the ride Sam asked if we could go on It’s A Small World. He said it was his all time favorite ride. Apparently the first time he came to Disneyland he had been on the It’s A Small World Ride when his father who had been serving in overseas surprised him and showed up. Ever since then he had loved the ride and wanted to share it with me.
I had an internal panic attack. It’s A Small World? The ride with music? The cheery music? Forget the singing dolls, the music alone was terrifying. I gulped but nodded. This was really important to him. I could manage to stand it for the few minutes the ride would last. All I had to do was focus on Sam and not the overwhelmingly petrifying music.
We entered the queue for the ride and my pulse quickened. The music creeped out of the tunnel and into the line, I stiffened. Deep breaths I thought, just keep taking deep breaths. The music can’t hurt you, you’re safe, it’ll be ok.
We had reached the front of the line; it was time to get into the boat. I took one more deep breath and then climbed in the small blue plastic boat so it could sail me to my doom. The only thing keeping me seated was Sam who had slowly reached out and cautiously took my hand. Of course, the boy of my dreams grabs my hand and all I can do is think about that terrorizing music coming out of the dark tunnel. Our boat lurched forward and it began.
It’s a small world after all, it’s a small world after all, it’s a small world after all, it’s a small small world.
We were transported through a journey across the globe with the tune of eerily creepy music. The words painted on the wall “The happiest cruise that ever sailed” seemed to mock me.
It’s a world of laughter, a world tears, it’s a world of hope and a world of fears.
Yeah, a world of fears seemed to sum it up. We passed Scotland and the tune was transformed into one of bagpipes. Even if I hadn’t been afraid of music this would have been terrifying. I clenched my teeth in order to stop myself from screaming.
Up next came the Asian section of the world where the music continued to roar out of the speakers. It was now in Japanese which just made it worse because I couldn’t think of it as poetry I could just hear the tune.
We passed the Spanish and Polynesian sections and had entered the finale room. Dolls from all parts of the world dancing as the music played. The music was the loudest it had ever been.
There’s so much that we share that it’s time we’re aware, it’s a small world after all.
I was so close to the finish. I was going to be able to make it. But then, the worst thing possible happened. The ride stopped. It just stopped. We weren’t moving anymore. My heart was thundering in my chest. If it only it had been loud enough to drown out the music.
It’s a small world after all
The music continued to blast. Louder and louder. Why couldn’t they shut it off?! I felt myself go pale. It got louder and louder, why?! Why was it so loud?! I started to shake, my vision beginning to blur. I felt Sam’s grip tighten around my hand. “You ok?” he asked. But I could barely hear him over the sound of the music.
It’s a small world after all
It seemed to be getting louder and louder. Crashing over the boat like a tsunami. How could everyone else be so calm?! The music just kept coming and coming. It wouldn’t stop! My stomach knotted and I was freezing cold but the music just kept coming. I wanted to scream out in agony.
It’s a small world after all
I bit my lip. It was just so loud! Why couldn’t they turn off the music!? It was so cheery. So bloodcurdling. I couldn’t take it. I screamed. Trying desperately to drown out the music. I screamed louder and louder but it didn’t work. I could still hear the music. I could tell I was scaring people in the boat but I couldn’t take it.
It’s a small, small world
I kept screaming. I needed to escape the music. I couldn’t take it anymore. My heart felt as if it would explode out of my chest, my skull would split from the pounding inside it. I had to get away. I didn’t care if I died at this point just anything to get rid of the music. I doubled over and when I looked down I saw the water.
Without hesitation I dove into the water. With my head submerged the music became quieter. It now had to compete with the hum of the mechanics. I swam closer to the wall to hear the mechanic whirl better. No sound had ever been sweeter.
I felt the oxygen leaving my lungs but I couldn’t bring myself to break the surface to face the music again. I didn’t care if I died right here at the bottom of the It’s A Small World Ride, anything was better than that music.
I had just accepted my dying when I heard a splash. I didn’t know or care what it was as long as it didn’t make music. It turned out to be a human though; they grabbed my arm and tried to pull me up. I didn’t want to go. I couldn’t go back to the music. I couldn’t stand it. I struggled against the stranger but they were stronger. I was dragged to the surface.
As I broke the surface I prepared to scream but the music had stopped. It had been replaced by a blaring alarm bell and the shouts of crew members who had materialized to help me get out of the water. I almost cried with relief.
The stranger in the water turned out to be Sam who looked over at me and said “You unbelievable idiot,” half serious half smiling. I managed to mumble the words sorry and thanks. He replied, “Anytime” while struggling to keep us both afloat. Together we swam to the side and with the help of the crew members we were pulled out of the water.
We were escorted out of the ride and outside to the medic station. The medics wanted to know why on earth I had jumped into the water. I turned bright red while I explained that I suffered from melophobia, the fear of music. To my surprise Sam just laughed. Mortified I turned towards him with a puzzled look. “Phew, I thought you were just really hated sitting next to me.” I somehow managed to smile. The medics laughed and they decided I hadn’t been trying to break their ride. Sam and I both had to get tetanus shots but we wore out matching band aids proud. As we sat on the bus on the way out Sam took my hand again. He also promised to never again make me ride It’s A Small World.
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