With my Disney College Program long past and no immediate plans to visit the parks in my future, I often find myself nostalgic for the fun and perks that Disney has to offer. I regularly wind up reminiscing over memories of day trips and vacations there. These are some of the things I find myself missing the most.
1. The food
From loaded hot dogs at Casey's Corner to salmon at the Chefs de France in Epcot, food is a staple at Disney World. Any lover of Disney food will tell you they crave Dole Whips and Mickey Bars all the time. Not to mention, the Epcot Food & Wine Festival is one of the best eating experiences of all time.
2. The children
Little girls fresh from the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, little boys wielding pirate swords, and happy babies in Disney onesies are a wonderful part of Disney. It's amazing to see so many happy kids living out their dreams and dressing up as their favorite characters.
3. The fireworks
If you spend enough time in the parks, you'll never want to see fireworks anywhere else. Disney pulls out all of the stops for the Halloween and Christmas parties in Magic Kingdom, and Fantasmic! in Hollywood Studios is a must see.
4. The rides
When I was a little girl, my dad took me on Space Mountain for the first time, and I was immediately hooked on rollercoasters for life. There's nothing quite like the drop of the Hollywood Tower of Terror and the wave of drenching water at the end of Splash Mountain. No matter how many other amusement parks I frequent, Disney rides will always be my favorite.
5. The people
When you do the Disney College Program, you make wonderful friends. I miss them constantly, but I'm lucky enough to live with one of my roommates from that time. She helps to keep the magic alive in between trips. But even if you only visit as a guest, the environment often leads to great vacation friendships with lots of memories.
6. The pictures
There are pictures of my family in Disney frames from every trip we've taken there, as well as a million from my College Program papering my apartment. Whether you take pictures in front of the buildings, hanging out with the characters, or riding the rides, they're one of the best souvenirs from any Disney vacation. They're great to have when you're back at work or school, remembering your adventure in the happiest place on earth.
7. The ears
Ever come back from Disney and realize you have absolutely no where to wear the ear headband you just bought? Me too. It doesn't stop me from buying more whenever I go, and hanging them up in my room to keep the spirit alive.
8. The characters
As a child, there is nothing more exciting than meeting your favorite character from your favorite movie. I thought that would change as I got older, but it has never lost its appeal. I still squeal with happiness when I see Ariel or Donald, and I love revisiting the joys of my childhood.
9. The castle
Now, sometimes there's a giant crane behind Cinderella's Castle, and I don't miss that. But every guest, no matter how old, holds their breath as the turn onto Main Street to see it for the first, tenth, or fiftieth time. It always brings a smile to my face and reminds me that adventure is ahead.
10. Everything else
There's the spitting camel in Adventureland, the drummers in Japan at Epcot, the Buddhas in the cue of Everest in Animal Kingdom, and the 50's Diner at Hollywood Studios. There are the pools and gift shops at the resorts, and the rides on buses and the monorail. Everything at Disney leaves an imprint on your heart.
