Recently, I visited the happiest place on earth with my family. Yes, I ,a 21-year-old college student, went to Disney World and enjoyed every minute of it.

That is actually the beauty of Disney -- it honestly doesn't matter if you are 80 years old or 5 years old, Disney is something that no one will ever stop enjoying. It transcends the generational barrier. The exact moment I walked through the gates of the Magic Kingdom, I felt like I was a little girl again and it was the most amazing feeling I've ever had. In one week, I did so many things and made so many memories, so it's hard to limit this list to just 10 things. But I managed to do it anyway. So, here are 10 things I did and saw in Disney World that made me feel like a little kid again.

1. Taking pictures by Cinderella's Castle

The first thing you see when you visit Magic Kingdom is Cinderella's Castle in the distance. It's pretty much the symbol of Disney World -- you see it in every logo, every movie, and all the merchandise. It is an absolute must that you take pictures by it; did you even visit Disney if you didn't? When I was little, I visited Disney every summer and always took the time to marvel at how beautiful this thing was. The never-ending spirals, the bright pops of blue against the white, the gold accents, it was so mesmerizing to me. And lucky for me, seeing it again after all these years, that childhood faith in all things magic hasn't faded.

2. Walking down Main Street

As soon as I stepped onto Main Street in the Magic Kingdom, I knew I was home and I never wanted to leave. Main Street is the first thing people see when they walk into the Magic Kingdom. I have vivid memories of perusing the many shops on Main Street with my dad. It was even cooler this time because I noticed things there that I didn't see when I was young. If you look closely, all of the names on the buildings are actually names of individuals that are connected to Disney in some way. And the reason the castle and the buildings along Main Street look so big is because each story is shorter than the one below it. So, the second story of a building is shorter than the first and it creates a forced perspective. It makes all the buildings look huge, even if you get bigger. Good one, Walt.

3. Wearing mouse ears

There is pretty much an unwritten rule in Disney that everyone should wear mouse ears. It gets you into the spirit of things. In fact, Disney parks are the only place on earth you can wear them as an adult and not feel like an idiot. I still have every pair I got from each time I visited, and I bought new ones for this trip of course. My mom even joined in the fun and wore her Elsa ears!

4. Meeting characters

I'm sure I'll get made fun of for this one, but I met so many characters during my trip. I think I was at least the oldest person in line for every single character, which is just fine for me. The characters I grew up with and obsessed over had a big enough impact on me that I still love them today. There is something so awesome about meeting your favorite character in person. And it isn't like you just wait in line for a picture with them, they actually take the time to interact with you and get to know you. They do an amazing job at making it fun and memorable.

5. The 'kiddie' rides

Disney is family-oriented, so pretty much every ride is a "kiddie" ride. As much as I love roller coasters, nothing beats sitting on a boat and watching a bunch of adorable animatronics sing my favorite Disney songs. One ride that is very special to me is The Haunted Mansion ride. My dad and I are super close, and this one is our favorite ride to do together. In fact, if he hadn't of drag my terrified, screaming 5-year-old self onto it the first time, I would have totally missed out on it. So, thanks Dad.

6. Spending time with my family

This was an amazing trip for my family because it was the first time we have all been together in the same place at the same time for awhile. When you get older, you grow away from each other. It isn't necessarily a bad thing, you all have lives and you're busy. Disney is something we all have in common and it is something we all love to share with each other. This trip brought us together and let us focus on each other and forget about work, school, and everyday life for a week.

7. The stage shows

One of my favorite things in Disney World, besides the rides, is the shows. Each park has a variety of different stage shows that will make your heart skip a beat. Disney World practically has a show for every character, every movie, and every story. My favorite one to this day is The Muppet Vision 3D show in Hollywood Studios. Obviously, my sense of humor hasn't changed in 12 years, because the moment Fonzie Bear pelts himself with a pie still makes me laugh so hard I could cry.

8. Watching the parades

If there is one thing Disney knows how to do, it is parades. The most spectacular one is the Electrical Parade through Main Street. Every night, all of the lights along Main Street are turned off and the castle is lit up with beautiful colors. Then, floats covered in thousands of tiny, twinkling lights parade through Main Street. When I was younger, I used to believe all the lights were tiny specs of fairy dust sprinkled over every float. Part of me still does.

9. Fireworks

I remember being so frightened of fireworks because they were so bright and loud, but for some reason, I loved the ones at Disney World. I remember sitting on my dad's shoulders because I wasn't tall enough to see through the huge crowds of people. I remember feeling so tiny when I looked up and saw a huge chandelier of exploding light engulf the castle. It still takes my breath away.

10. Meeting the Mouse himself

I saved the best for last. The most important person I met in Disney was Mickey Mouse. This mouse is the most beloved and recognized character in the universe. I may sound silly, but meeting him felt like meeting a celebrity almost. It is so amazing that something so cherished from my childhood was made possible because of this guy. As Walt once famously said, "I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing -- that it was all started by a mouse."

Even though those are not all of things I did/saw in Disney World that gave me a happy dose of nostalgia and took me back to a simpler time, but they were the most significant. All in all, It was an amazing trip and it really made me stop and appreciate all of the little things. I really hope my experiences inspire you to never stop believing in magic and to never lose faith in the power of imagination.