Dispatch From Disneyland
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It begins with a gentle bending. Small popping noises ripple through the air as surfaces rub together and crackle. The joint where the leaf meets the branch has become old and dry. No longer can it support the weight of the golden, orange, and red colored leaf that flutters high in the slight autumn breeze.

With a swift tear the leaf breaks free of the branch, the only source of nourishment it has known, and, lightened of its watery load by the summer sun, it wafts in whichever air currents it can find. With the aid of a warm gust of wind the leaf is blown over rivers, around mountains, and through the streets of town.

Inevitably, the stronger force of gravity has its way with the leaf. The leaf comes to rest on the cold hard surface of red brick. In this case, red brick that you are standing on for the first time this fall. It's a new experience, very much like a red carpet welcoming you to a fancy Broadway show, but more detailed than you remember it. The area is more formal now with patterns quartered off from zone to zone.

The leaf is picked up briefly by another gust of wind and lands on the black shoe of a nearby worker. The black shoe is connected to a white costume and chased by a broom which sweeps it to the side of the pathway where it joins its fallen brethren in a growing pile of golden leaves.

From there, you look up into the floral face of Mickey, and are certain that fall has arrived at Disneyland.

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The park even smells different this time of year. Decaying leaves add a little must to the mix. The smell of the woolen jackets cast members wear will make you remember the cold nights of your youth when mother would dress you up too warm for the afternoon, but by the time night fell, you were glad for her insistence.

In the off-season the park is full of long-term cast members who are more likely to exemplify the Disney Spirit. Chances are they work at the park because they really love Disney, not just because it is a cool summer job to have. Your interactions become less hurried, more involved and meaningful. Magic is made all around you as guests have their experiences improved by cast members who care.

In the fall, the park closes earlier. This has a number of implications. First being there are usually no Fantasmic shows or fireworks during the week. The momentary dismay this brings is quickly supplanted by the realization that this means rides on the Mark Twain after dusk. And if Fantasmic is down for rehabiliation, the possibility of the Mark Twain fireworks cruise becomes a reality.

In this magic moment, the gentle sternwheeler stops in the back of the Rivers of America just before the fireworks are to be launched. There, with no lights on and no music, couples can enjoy a special romantic moment accompanied by the loud bang and giant sparkle of Disney's special brand of fireworks.