A lot of the time I'll get asked why I have a tattoo of a castle on my arm. My response is usually something along the lines of "Oh, I used to work at Walt Disney World." What I don't always have time to explain is why it's so important to me, because "I worked there," doesn't quite do it justice.
In 2014, I had just finished my first year of college. I was in a dark spot. Socially and academically. I felt as if I were failing at life. I was battling anxiety, depression and exasperating fatigue; all of these made it hard to make it through each day. I had a hard time adjusting to the real world and figuring out who I really was in such a big world coming from such a small town, post high school graduation.
(And yes, this is one of those stereotypical "I traveled and found myself" stories. But, hang in there. I promise it's worthwhile.)
On a whim, I applied for this internship my dad approached me with: the Disney College Program. I had never heard of it. I knew I spent a good portion of my childhood going on family trips to Walt Disney World and I had always said,
"One day, I'm going to work there."
But, at the time, these dreams seemed far fetched, but little did I know that it could and would be my reality.
I figured I'd go out on a limb and try it, and after freaking out over phone interviews, I was accepted. That was the absolute happiest day of my life, and one that would change it forever.
The day I moved to Lake Buena Vista, Florida was a turning point for me. I had never really lived on my own in a new place. When I attended college, I stayed with my parents at home—which kept me connected with the version of myself everyone in my small town knew me as. Moving down there made me realize I didn't have to be the version of me I was back home. Nobody in Florida knew me. I could recreate myself—a better self.
I could—and was—unforgivably outgoing, an unapologetic optimist and the version of myself I had always wanted to be. I was the Morgan I so wanted to be and nobody could tease me or taunt me away from being that anymore.
Being in such a magical and nostalgic place opened my eyes to—as Aladdin would say—a whole new world. This city and these parks were diverse, uplifting, beautiful and filled my heart as full as it could go. Things I never once felt about the college I had attended previous.
I gained friends from not only all over the country, but, all over the world while working at Walt Disney World. In high school and my first year of college I had a few friends. Once college hit, they all moved away. So, I felt stuck in my town alone. Which, let me tell you, is not a great feeling. My Disney College Program changed all of that. Because of this program I gained so many wonderful, amazing and caring human beings as friends.The love exuding from each and every individual made me feel at home, and I appreciated that so incredibly much.
My roommates in the college program also made a huge difference. Living with seven different girls from all over the world definitely got hectic and stressful sometimes, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. They helped push me to try new things, they taught me to love everyone, they supported me when I needed them most. They helped me become the best version of me by doing all they did for me. I thank the universe every day for blessing me with those individuals as roommates.
I credit much of my personal growth from participating in the Disney College Program in 2014. I will never have to look back at the person I was struggling so hard to understand. My Disney College Program left the version of me I didn't like where she belongs: only in my memories. I will never feel lonely, unworthy, or unloved because I know my Disney ohana will always be there for me because "Ohana means family, and family means nobody gets left behind. Or forgotten." Because I never, in a million years, will forget my Disney experience or my Disney ohana. From day one I knew it was "where I'm meant to be..." as Rapunzel would say.
I saw the lights, I've whistled while I worked, I met people I'm sure I'd met once upon a dream, and I've definitely wished upon a star or two.
So, when people ask about my tattoo "I worked at Disney World." doesn't even begin to cover it.
