Welcome to the best theme park in the world, Alice in Wonderland World.  Take a trip down the rabbit hole and into a land of madness where it is everyone's most merry unbirthday.  The park is not responsible if you see real Cheshire cats, believe you are really growing or shrinking, or see a real white rabbit.

Part one: The Rabbit Hole

        I sighed as I stared down the endless stretch of highway. Carien slept in the seat next to me, her snoring as loud as the car's engines. We were on our way to a gaming convention in California, and thanks to Carien being afraid of flying, we had to drive all the way from Michigan.

        This was only the first day of the drive. We had just set out, and Carien was trying to sleep, having not gotten any sleep the night before packing for the trip. I was supposed to be driving for the entire day and only waking her for lunch, dinner, and when we found a place to stop for the night.

        Suddenly I had to come to a halt as the man before I came to a complete stop. I put my hand over my chest, catching my breath. “Oh my god.”

        Carien sat up in a daze. “What happened? Is it lunchtime already?”

        “No. Sorry, the person ahead of us just stopped.”

        She looked at me weary-eyed. “Ahh.” She looked around. “Where are we?”

        “On some out-of-the-way highway.”

        Carien suddenly jumped out of her seat. “Sarah, look at that sign.” She grabbed me by my shirt and pulled me against the windshield. “It’s Alice in Wonderland World. I have seen it on commercials but never knew where they set up shop.”

        I pushed myself off of her. “Wait, what?”

        Carien was jumping up and down in her seat. “It is a theme park based off of Alice in Wonderland. I have wanted to go there since I was a little girl. Can we stop and check the place out?”

        “But the gaming convention.”

        “Screw that. This is a once in a lifetime chance event. Imagine meeting the Mad Hatter. Falling down the rabbit hole and more.”

        I chuckled. “Fine. Fine. We can spend one day there. It sounds like fun. But I still want to go to the convention.”

        Carien relaxed. “Ok, well, wake me when we get there.” She yawned. “I am still exhausted.”

        “Sure.”

        I took the first turn off the highway and headed for Alice in Wonderland World. After a few minutes of driving, I could see the park's entrance appear through the tree line, a holographic sign of a white rabbit that kept saying, “You are late, better hurry to Alice in Wonderland world,” Before hurrying off and repeating the lope.

        I drove under the rose petal gate and into the parking lot, each parking space made out as a different playing card. As I looked for a parking spot, I nudged Carien. “Hey, we are here.”

        She jumped up, her arms flailing. “Hey, wait, what?” She looked around. “Whoa, this place looks amazing, and we haven’t even walked inside yet.” She narrowed her eyes. “It sure is busy, though.”

        “Ya, I don’t see any open spots. This is nuts. I didn’t know this place existed, and now it seems everyone is here? What is going on?”

        Carien just shrugged. “Just accept it. This is a mad world, after all.”

        “Right. This is a theme park, you know.”

        “Where anything can happen.”

        I shook my head. “Just because this is based off of. . .”

        She pointed ahead of me. “Look. That man is pulling out. Take his spot.”

        I pulled into the parking spot just in time. “Ok, so let’s have a game plan.”

        Carien jumped out of the car. “Meet you at the Rabbit Hole.”

        I opened my door. “Carien? Hey, wait.” She was already gone. “You have got to be kidding me. I am not chasing her all over this park.” I closed the door to my vehicle and locked it. “I have never seen her so impulsive before.”

        I began walking towards the entrance of the park. Beyond the wooden gate, I could see people in Wonderland-themed costumes. “Wow, I am not dressed for this place.” I looked at myself in my plain t-shirt and leggings. “I am sure it won’t’ be a problem.”

        I walked up to the gate, where an employee in a seven of spades card outfit greeted me. “Welcome to Alice in Wonderland World. Just beyond this gate is a magical world of imagination beyond your wildest dreams.”

        I nodded my head. “Umm ya. Did you see my friend rush through here just a moment ago? I have to catch up with her.”

        The man put his hand on my chest. “Sorry, but you have to pay before entering the park.

And you need an outfit.”

        I threw my hands up. “But I don’t have an outfit.”

        “That is ok. The park provides them.”

        I reached into my purse. “Ok, then how much for an admission ticket?”

        “Twenty dollars.” I handed the man the money. “Thank you.” He pointed to a small house just down the way. “You will find the costume rental shop there. Don’t worry, they are free. Have a wonderfully mad day.”

        I pushed the gate open. “Ok. Thank you.”

        I walked up to the shop, which looked like a small house with white and pink paint, the door having an oval glass window. When I opened the door, another person in a playing card outfit greeted me. “Welcome. Are you looking for a costume?”

        “Yes, I am.”

        “Well, I am a bit sorry to inform you that the only costumes we have left are Alice costumes.”

        “I mean, that is alright. It wouldn’t be much of a trip to Wonderland if I couldn’t dress up as Alice herself.” I laughed.

        The lady handed me the outfit. “There is a changing room in the back.”

        “Ok, thank you.” I walked into the back and slipped into the costume. It was complete with Mary Jane heels, a petticoat, a black headband, and an apron. I put my hands on my now poufy dress and felt how bouncy my outfit was. “Well, this is nice. I never get to dress up.”

        I squeezed my way back through the doorway. “Ok, I am dressed. Now, where do I go?”

        The lady opened the door and pointed out of the shop.

“Just follow the road. I am sure you will find your way to Wonderland Alice.”

        “Umm, my name is Sarah.”

        The woman went to the back of the shop humming to herself.

        I walked out of the small shop. “That was strange. Hmm, I better hurry and find my friend.” I made my way down a forested path. Everyone else on the way had various animal costumes, and I saw a white queen outfit. “That is cool.”

        Eventually, I spotted Carien, dressed in a white rabbit outfit, standing at the edge of a hole in the ground. “Carien. Hey.” I waved at her pushing my way through the crowd. “Wait up.”

        She turned around for a moment. “Sorry, but I am late for an important date.” She suddenly jumped down the hole and vanished.

        “Hey.” I came to a halt at the edge of the hole, noticing the sign.  “Rabbit hole. Entrance to Alice in Wonderland World.”

        Wait, I have to jump down a real rabbit hole.  I looked over the side and could only see darkness.  This is crazy.

        I looked around, but there didn’t seem to be another way. “I guess I have to jump.”

        “Hey, stop holding up the line Alice.”

        Suddenly I was pushed from behind and fell forward, falling down into the inky blackness. I did a somersault before my dress proofed into a parachute, slowing my fall. I sighed, parting the hair from my face. “That was unexpected.” I looked down over the rim of my dress. “I wonder how they get this to work. I can’t really be slowly floating like this.”

        As I fell, I watched floating clocks and chairs pass me by. Books spun in midair, and t-cups endless dripped their contents into the abyss. “This place is a park, right? I wonder how they pull this off. It must all be special effects.” I crossed my arms across my dress. “I sure have been falling for a long time. Just how long is this ride? If I float down any longer, I might really fall into Wonderland.” I laughed. “Like that is possible.”

        I felt like I had been falling for almost five minutes until I finally landed on a chair filled with leaves. “Ouff.” I slowly sat up, dusting off the leaves from my dress. I had an employee run over to me, this one in a six of hearts outfit. “Are you alright, Alice?”

        “Why yes, of course. That was very fun. I would love to do it again.”

        “We are glad you are safe. We tried to get a message up top, but the fan is broken.

You shouldn’t have jumped.”

        I looked at her, confused. “Fan? I didn’t feel any air blowing against me as I floated down. And I think you would need more than just a fan to slow people fall from that high up.

I was floating down for over five minutes.”

           “Well, I don’t know. You shouldn’t have floated down like that.” The person in the playing card outfit scratched their head. “Five minutes? It doesn’t make sense.”

        “Isn’t that what this place is about?”

        “Umm yes but.. . . Never mind. Look, enjoy the rest of the park Alice. Just don’t do anything else that would be dangerous like this, Alice.”

        “My name isn’t Alice.”

        I looked at the end of the corridor and saw what looked to be Carien in her white rabbit outfit. “Carien? Hey, wait.” I chased after her running out down a long hallway. “Hey Carien, wait up.” She was fast, faster than I ever remembered. She quickly vanished out of sight. I took a moment to catch my breath before realizing that Carien had vanished at the end of a long corridor with multiple doors on each end.

"Oh goodness me, now what do I do?"