I, like millions of other children, can say confidently that I was practically raised on Disney. Disney movies, Pixar films, Disney Channel, barbies and action figures, countless CDs (that I knew every word to), even Mickey Mouse themed pancakes from Kid Cuisine and a Beauty and the Beast's Belle Halloween costume that I wore year round.
The first time I visited Disney World with my family, I was in fourth grade. I was literally speechless when I met the princesses, and amazed at how real and brought to life everything seemed. I didn't stop smiling the entire week. The second time I visited, I had just turned 18 and I was a second semester senior in high school. Just like my nine year old self, I completely bought in to the magic. Actually, maybe even more as an adult. I totally cried when I met Belle, and I cried when we checked out of our resort, and I cried when my school alarm went off the week after.
Not only is it awesome on an individual level, but experiencing Disney with your family is seriously one of the best things ever. The resorts offer unique experiences for you and your family to enjoy together. You could have a full vacation schedule just staying at your (one of MANY) resort. Most of them are really close to the parks. Enjoying the parks together as a family is what Walt Disney, the man, always wanted to create. There's no need to separate in order for everyone to enjoy the vacation, because it's even better when enjoyed together. You have the opportunity to reconnect with each other, laugh together, get family photos taken by PhotoPass Photographers found around the parks, and geek out about your favorite characters come to life. Your family can enjoy attractions together and build memories that will be treasured the rest of your lives. That alone is pretty much priceless.
If I really had to decide, I believe my very favorite part of Disney World is the fireworks show in the Magic Kingdom at closing time. During my most recent visit, we rushed from MGM to Magic Kingdom, after already having been there once, to enjoy the fireworks show. Clips from some of Disney's most memorable films are projected on to Cinderella's castle while their soundtrack plays all over the park. I was sandwiched between what seemed like a billion people, all of them singing together "Let It Go" from "Frozen", "Reflection" from "Mulan", "I Just Can't Wait to be King" from "The Lion King", and so much more. As a finale, Tinkerbell flies around overhead and returns to the castle, signaling the end of the show.
Sometimes, maybe when I'm not having the greatest day, I think back to my time spent at Disney World and my day gets a little brighter.
