By now, I'd say it's very well known that I've got a Disney obsession. I talk about my experiences at Disney World all the time, I grew up with it, and I post endless quotes and lessons I've learned from Disney films throughout the years. My love for Disney is not solely based on their ability to make wonderful films. (although they do hehe) My love for Disney is more about my growth as an individual. It's been there for me since I was a tiny little baby.
When I was about one year old, my parents took my brother and I to Disney for the first time. (well...it was MY first time...Kris had been before already) People think mom and dad were crazy for taking a baby to a theme park. "What will they get out of it? It's just a waste of money." First of all..hello! You hardly ever have to pay entrance fees for a baby. AND they live off of bottles, not caviar. Also, the most important argument I have against that claim is that I had the time of my life. I swear I remember seeing the princesses and Mickey for the first time. I can almost hear the music in the air and the way my dad would hold me when we rode Peter Pan's Flight for the first time. We have pictures from that very trip where I am just grinning from ear to ear.
I may not remember every detail, but I know that ever since then, I've remembered our Disney trips every single year since. My parents, since we loved it SO much, continued to take us to Disney almost every single year. That would bring us to a total of about 19 or 20 times visiting Walt Disney World during my lifetime. (aside from the trillions of times I went while I worked there)
Needless to say, I was hooked. It was almost like heroine, but less dangerous. My parents, while taking us, grew to adore it as well. Since I more or less grew up with Disney, I saw much more than just a bunch of rides and people dressed up in animal costumes. I began to see a certain depth in the meaning behind the entire company. I wasn't one of those little girls that grew up longing for a prince to come sweep me off my feet (although that is what most people assume the movies do to little girls). I, instead, grew up noticing the strength of these girls who didn't necessarily have it easy their entire lives. Yes, most of them ended up with a prince in the end, but I saw that as them moving on with their lives and making something new for themselves. It's not that they needed a prince, they just wanted freedom, happiness and love. Something they'd never had before. I don't know why everyone talks about marriage as if it's so bad? Why do people get married? It's to share an adventure with someone they love and care about. Some say love holds you back from doing everything you want to do before you have to "grow up". Who says you have to stop having fun when you grow up? Why can't you and your partner have fun together? Why can't you travel together and live a full life together? There is nothing wrong with marriage. If you feel trapped in your marriage, you married the wrong person.
Anyhow...to get back on the subject, I grew up knowing there was more to life than meets the eye. I see the same purpose in my life, that I see in the Disney company. And that's hope, finding an essential goodness in all of us, trusting one another, happiness. and believing in the magic in the world. It's not going to be caused by pixie dust or a talking rabbit with a ticking clock...its the small things, like a kiss from someone you love, or when your baby talks for the first time and calls you "mama" or "dada". It's when you get into the college that you'd always dreamed of, or when you get those tiny bursts of excitement for no reason at all. That is the real magic of the world.
Life is not easy...but who says we can't make it fun? Disney represents feeding the child in all of us, and realizing that life is in fact just that: life. It's okay to have fun and it's essential to feel the magic of our every day lives. That's what Disney means to me.
Hope you enjoyed reading! I'm going to cut it off here since I could probably ramble on for about 20 more hours. There might be a part two...who knows.
BYEBYE. :)
