Marc Qin

After a quick rest back at the hotel, we called an Uber to head to Intuit Dome for the highly anticipated Clippers vs Lakers game. After an hour-long ride, we arrived at the arena and immediately bought some fan gear and team merchandise so we could support our team properly. Our seats were in “The Wall,” a section reserved for the most passionate supporters. What we didn’t know, however, was that we would be given free T-shirts, making the atmosphere even louder and more exciting. Intuit Dome, the newest arena in the NBA, truly lived up to the hype. Before the game even started, fireworks, firecrackers, and flames burst out behind the hoops, sending the energy in the building through the roof. During warm-ups, we could clearly see the players’ pregame routines—Harden was practicing finishing through contact, Zubac worked on his floaters, and Luka played around shooting trick shots. When the game tipped off, the crowd did not disappoint. The Clippers went on an early scoring run, with Harden knocking down two threes to start the game. The Lakers struggled to respond, and the score quickly began to look like a blowout. Unfortunately, Zubac went down after falling hard to the floor and didn’t return for the rest of the game. Despite this setback, the Clippers maintained a strong lead. Every time the Lakers shot free throws, we booed and chanted for them to miss—and it seemed to work. Although the Lakers attempted a comeback, Kawhi Leonard took control of the game, finishing with a massive 30-point performance. By halftime, we were feeling hungry, so my dad and sister went to grab some food. During the break, a Candy Crush–sponsored game and a trivia contest kept the crowd entertained—and I didn’t miss a single trivia question. Late in the third quarter, LeBron James stepped up and kept the Lakers within striking distance, cutting the lead to around ten points. But Kawhi had other plans. Scoring time and time again, he shut down the comeback and led the Clippers to a big win over the Lakers.

After a good night’s rest, we woke up early, determined to reach Disneyland before the queues began to stretch endlessly. We arrived at the park at around 9am, just after the gates had opened, with excitement buzzing but no clear plan in mind. Still slightly unorganised, we wandered down Main Street, U.S.A., taking in the classic sights and sounds before heading toward Adventureland, the closest land to the entrance.

Our first attraction of the day was the Jungle Cruise. We boarded a slow-moving boat led by a witty and energetic skipper, who instantly set the tone for the ride. As we drifted along the jungle river, we passed lifelike animatronic animals hidden among the trees, designed to look as though they were thriving in their natural habitats. Throughout the journey, the skipper cracked jokes—many of them clearly improvised—which filled the boat with laughter and made the experience even more memorable.

After stepping off the boat, we headed toward the Adventureland Treehouse. Climbing up into the branches of the giant tree, we explored the multi-level walk-through attraction inspired by Swiss Family Robinson. Built from found objects, the treehouse told the story of a resourceful explorer family. At the top, we were rewarded with stunning views across the park, and along the way, we spotted hidden details and Easter eggs cleverly tucked throughout the structure.

Our third attraction took us to New Orleans Square, where we queued for nearly an hour to enter the Haunted Mansion. The wait was long, but it proved to be worth it. Since we visited during the holiday season, the mansion was transformed with a Christmas theme, featuring skeletons and spooky characters celebrating in their own eerie way. The ride was slow but loud and unsettling, taking us on a chilling tour through the mansion’s haunted halls.

By this point, we were craving something faster and more intense. Luckily, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure was nearby. This ride was packed with energy, music, and storytelling as it followed Tiana’s journey. Sharp turns, sudden twists, and one massive 50-foot drop caught us completely off guard. Water splashed everywhere, leaving us drenched from head to toe, with water sloshing around in our shoes. Despite being soaked, the sheer thrill made it entirely worth it.

After hopping off the ride, we stood under the sun, hoping to dry off quickly. There was no time to waste, though, as we rushed toward Space Mountain. Thanks to our Lightning Lane pass, we skipped the long queue and boarded almost immediately. The ride began slowly before plunging us into total darkness. Small lights shimmered like stars as the coaster twisted and turned at high speeds. The sharp bends and sudden drops kept me guessing what would come next, and the unpredictability made it one of the most exhilarating rides of the day. When it ended, I wanted to go again—but kept that thought to myself.

After two intense rides, we decided it was time to slow things down. Just nearby was Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, a calmer but still competitive ride. My sister and I teamed up, firing lasers at as many aliens as we could to help Buzz defeat Zurg. Despite our efforts, we fell short and lost to our parents, which was both frustrating and funny.

For lunch, we stopped at Alien Pizza Planet, where we refuelled with food and regained some much-needed energy. After eating, we continued exploring the park. We rode King Arthur’s Carousel, a classic and relaxing attraction, before heading to Mickey’s Toontown. There, we met Mickey Mouse in his workshop, took photos, and watched a few short Mickey Mouse episodes, leaving with big smiles on our faces. Our final attraction was Autopia, where we got to drive simulated cars along a track. It was a fun and relaxed way to end our time at the park.

However, as we attempted to leave early to make it to our NBA game, our plans were briefly disrupted when a parade blocked several key routes through the park, making it difficult for us to exit. Despite the delay, the day had been packed with excitement, adventure, and unforgettable moments—another incredible chapter in our Disneyland experience.