Growing up, I loved everything and anything Disney.
My bedroom was once pink and purple with the princesses everywhere, and I actually still have the lamp and CD player that matched everything else. I have countless pictures with the princesses at Disney World; I even got a princess makeover for my sixth birthday at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. My collection of Magic Bands hang off my wall together in a chain and my countless pairs of ears and hats are scattered around my bedroom. It's safe to say I love Disney just as much as I did when I was little.
With everything going on in our world, I find myself missing Disney and the magic that it brings to all of their guests around the world.
While yes, my family has Disney+ and I have been watching every movie and TV show that they have on there, it's just not the same as the magic that you get from going to the parks. It sounds odd for me to say since I'm a college student who knows all the secrets about the magic and the parks themselves, but something about going to the Disney parks is so special to me.
I miss waking up early on a Saturday for swim practice and just knowing that when everything was said and done for the morning, I would be getting in the car to go to the parks.
I miss the rush of walking into Epcot during a festival or Magic Kingdom when it's covered with all of the holiday decorations.
I miss being immersed into the world of "Star Wars" at Galaxy's Edge or "Avatar" at Pandora.
I miss looking forward to a trip to the parks all week.
I miss the snacks that you can get in all the different places, especially the Dole Whips.
I miss the smells that were unique to every place that you stepped foot in, like the smell of the Tomorrowland Speedway, the sweet scent of the Confectionery and the Main Street Bakery, the unique smell of Pandora, all the foods around the world showcase in Epcot, the popcorn carts that are everywhere, the entirety of Soarin', Rome burning on Spaceship Earth, and most importantly, the water rides.
I miss the fact that I could have one of the worst days ever, but when I step foot into Disney World, it just disappears as I am surrounded by all the things I love the most - the food, the scents, the rides, the characters, the magic.
I miss taking pictures of all the flowers during the festivals at Epcot or all the different icons around the parks. The rocks outside of Tomorrowland, the castle in Magic Kingdom, the Epcot ball during sunset, all the animals at Animal Kingdom, and the different lands of Hollywood Studios are always my favorite pictures to take at the parks and share with my friends and family.
I miss the magic that Disney has that can fix even the worst of days, and I hope I can experience it again soon now that the parks have officially reopened.