Tokyo Disney Taught Me Gratitude: What ABCs Actually Need to Know | Real You Mandarin Podcast EP18

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I know this sounds ridiculous, but a recent solo trip to Tokyo Disney genuinely changed how I think about gratitude. This is a solo episode where it's just me, no guest, talking through what happened and why it mattered. And along the way, I practice saying all of it in Mandarin, because these are the kinds of feelings I've never been able to express in Chinese before.

The Over-Planner Goes to Disney

A little context first. I recently moved to Japan (I'm living in Kyoto now), and I decided to take a solo trip to Tokyo Disney. If you're an American-Born Chinese (ABC) or American-Born Taiwanese (ABT), you probably understand this next part on a deep level: I planned the entire trip with the efficiency of someone raised by Asian immigrant parents. I'm talking hours consulting ChatGPT, mapping out which rides to prioritize, what time to buy which fast passes, and exactly when to run where. I had my entire itinerary locked down to the minute. Two parks, two days, one person, zero room for error.

If you grew up with the same parenting style that most of us did, this probably sounds familiar: Efficiency first. Always have a goal. Always be productive... even at an amusement park.

When the Plan Fell Apart

The first day actually went well, but the second day at Disney Sea was a mess. It was snowing. Not the pretty kind of snow, but the kind that soaks you through like rain. I'd been waiting outside since 8am, an hour before the gates opened, freezing. And when I finally got in, the fast pass I wanted most was already sold out. Everything available was for past 5pm, and I had to catch the bullet train back to Kyoto before then. I was genuinely frustrated to the point of breaking down.

But here's where things shifted. Instead of letting the disappointment ruin my day, I practiced something I'd been working on in therapy: emotional regulation. I opened the app, found two other rides I also loved, bought those passes instead, and ended up having the most incredible day. I had time to slowly stroll through the entire park, visit every shop, and just take it all in without rushing.

The Line-Cutter and the Lesson

There's a moment from day one that I keep coming back to. I was in line for It's A Small World (they had a limited-time Marvel theme with Groot that I had to see), and this girl behind me kept trying to cut in line. She eventually squeezed in front of me, and I was pretty annoyed. I almost said something, but I stopped myself and thought: this is a her problem, not me. I'm not going to let one person ruin an entire day of Disney happiness.

The funniest part? We ended up seated in the same row on the same boat. Just me, her, and her boyfriend. And while I was laughing uncontrollably at tiny Groot dolls dancing around, she looked like she wasn't having much fun at all. That moment taught me more about 珍惜當下 / 珍惜当下 / zhēn xí dāng xià / appreciating the present moment than any self-help book ever has.

The Unexpected Gifts

Right before I had to leave on day two, two completely random things happened that I absolutely loved. First, because it was New Year's, Disney was offering guests to draw fortunes. However, when I had tried to do this the day before on the Disneyland side, I was turned away for being an adult. This time at Disney Sea, they let me, and of course the fortune was all good luck. Next, I ran into an elderly man wearing a chef's hat and a giant Mickey Mouse glove, high-fiving everyone and handing out stickers. Those two unplanned, completely random moments ended up being the highlight of my entire trip, helping me relive the magic of being a kid.

And that's the whole point. The best parts of my two days at Disney weren't the rides I'd meticulously planned for. They were the moments I didn't plan at all. The trip reminded me to 隨遇而安 / 随遇而安 / suí yù ér ān / go with the flow and be okay with wherever things land, and to practice being grateful for what I already have, instead of fixating on what I don't.

Key Vocab From This Episode

感恩 | gǎn ēn (gratitude / to be grateful)

珍惜當下 / 珍惜当下 | zhēn xí dāng xià (to appreciate the present moment)

情緒調節 / 情绪调节 | qíng xù tiáo jié (emotional regulation)

隨遇而安 / 随遇而安 | suí yù ér ān (to go with the flow / be at peace with circumstances)

感激 | gǎn jī (grateful / appreciative)

崩潰 / 崩溃 | bēng kuì (to break down emotionally / frustrated)

活在當下 / 活在当下 | huó zài dāng xià (to live in the present moment)

著迷 / 着迷 | zháo mí (to be obsessed with / fascinated)

These are all words from the actual episode, not textbook vocabulary, but the kind of words that come up when you're talking about real life in Mandarin.

Ready to Go Deeper?

If this episode resonated with you and you want to go deeper, this is exactly the kind of content we cover in our course Real You Mandarin: Self-Expression. It's 5 modules, 43 video lessons, and 1300+ flashcards covering everything from expressing your emotions and navigating interpersonal relationships to parenting, aging parents, and self-growth. Basically, all the conversations that actually matter in your life.

Not sure if it's for you yet? Try a free lesson first. No commitment, just a taste of what learning Mandarin can feel like when the content is actually relevant to your life.

Get the Full Transcript

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