I only hope we never lose sight of one thing - it was all started by a mouse. -Walt Disney

If I could say one thing to Mr. Walt Disney himself it would be a simple thank you. Thank you for being a happy escape when we all needed it most. Thank you for always lifting people's spirits and always being there when I needed you. Thank you for all the Extra Magic Hours because you knew that we all needed a little bit more time with the Mouse. Thank you for never changing, yet changing just enough to keep everyone wanting more. Thank you for Main Street, USA. Thank you for The Carousel of Progress because it makes my dad smile every time he rides because that brings back happy memories from his childhood. Thank you for the classic Disney movies that always transform my living room into the ballroom of Beauty and The Beast every time I watch, or more times than not, pixie hollow. But most importantly, thank you for being my ultimate happy place.

See, Walt Disney World is not just a vacation place. Disney World is magical. Disney World is the definition of happiness. It truly welcomes everyone with open arms. There is a feeling like no other when you walk into Main Street USA and if you are lucky enough to of been able to experience this, you know what I am talking about. It is as if all is good in the world because, in a way, it is. It is like all the worries go away (besides the empty check book) when you drive under the Walt Disney World welcome sign in all its shining yellow glory. It is a feeling that I wish I could provide for everyone to feel.

Now to the important things. Mickey Mouse. No matter how old you are, when you meet characters you definitely become 6 again. You want to hug every single one of them because "OMG, IT'S [insert character]!" But, nothing is quite like meeting Mickey. If you're like me, you have met Mickey about 100 times but it never gets old. It feels just like the first time y'all met yet it also feels like he is your old friend at the same time.

Disney World, to me, is the place you go when your family needs an escape. It's where you go every year to experience magic. It where you go when you are just flat out craving a Mickey Pretzel and need a refuel on your pixie dust. It is where you go when the holidays roll around because it is simply breathtaking. It is what you think of when you think of your childhood. It is not just silly movies, but movies that take you somewhere without worries for a little bit. But, even if Disney is a place you've never experienced or a place you have only been once, you know it is magical. There is no doubt that Walt Disney World is the best place on earth. I am so happy I get to call it my home away from home and I will never apologize for that.