I have been going to Disney World for summer vacation since I was four years old, more times than I can count on both my hands. It seems I have gone almost every other year to the happiest place on Earth and for me that saying still holds true.

Disney has always been a place of joy for me. I never really had a bad memory from there unless you count the time I cried when I was little because of some ride or when I had the cramps from hell. Besides those two instances, I’ve been a pretty happy princess all my visits to the Mouse House. I’ve met Mickey every visit, it’s mandatory, even when I “grew up” and mother would ask, “Are you still going to see him?” The answer was yes, yes I am going to get my picture with Mickey Mouse. How could you ask such a foolish question, Mom?

Throughout the years, I have gotten the autograph of many characters as well as photos and almost shed tears because of the amazing fireworks at Magic Kingdom. The only one I haven’t met is Peter Pan, but that will be achieved this August. He’s on my list right after Mickey.

I think I have more fun at Disney now than when I was younger because I was much shyer. Today, I rock my tiara at the castle with confidence along with my many Disney tanks I own thanks to Hot Topic. I’m also faster than the tiny children so I can reach the front of the ride line before them. This makes me happy. I’m going to be the type of parent who will need separate days at Disney, one by myself and one with the child! Mommy needs her own private Disney fun without having to push around a stroller all day in the boiling sun. It will be cool to see my kid go through the, “What’s this? What’s that?” at Disney World for the first time, she or he better understand how lucky they are to be there too. Disney tickets are no joke and God knows how much more expensive they will become. I’m really lucky to have been to Disney many times, thanks to my mom and, in a way, to my family that lives in Orlando, as well. It’s always family visits then Disney, though I prefer the Disney trips more.

One thing I love about Disney is the funnel cake. Magic Kingdom has the best funnel cake I have ever tasted. It’s a sin for me not to eat it when I’m at the parks. Also I have no idea how the workers keep those smiles on their faces, I could not do it. I am not an adult when I’m at Disney and it’s ok because everyone at Disney unleashes their inner child. I just happen to walk around with mine 24/7 because adult life is hard and makes me sad. At Disney, I’m a princess and you can’t judge me for saying so. (It also helps that I’m brown and have long black hair like Jasmine.)

My two favorite memories at Disney are making my charm bracelets with all the Disney parks — that I still have and wear to this day — and one specific night that I met Mickey. It was before the fireworks and all the characters were in the old Toontown fair where Mickey used to meet everyone. My family was the last to see Mickey for the night and when we were done and walking back, the fireworks started going off. I remember there being trees on the side of us walking and on both sides you could see fireworks just taking off, lighting up the sky. It was beautiful.

I always think of that memory when telling people why I love Disney. For a girl that’s been through some shit in her life, Disney has always been a happy place. The music, the movies, the characters and, of course, Disney World has always been there to distract me from life when it got hard and it continues to do so. It will forever be the happiest place on Earth for me and that’s a fact.