Disney World.

11 letters, 15 meanings and every child's dream.

Disney has become a symbol of magic as well as a way to embrace childhood when the world is full of such scary things. It is a safe haven full of hope and princesses. Disney has captured the hearts of the world, and even parents are hypnotized by its power. Disney is magical. But who really gets to see the magic?

Disney is said to be a place for children. Did you know that if you are over a certain age or height, you cannot dress up as a Disney character upon entering the park? Clearly this has to do with confusion to the park-goers, but I also like think that it is an attempt to create a more magical experience for the little ones and less of one for adults.

Kids go to Disney and are waved to by the parade characters and princesses. They are able to go to a special salon and be made into a princess themselves. Tea with Mickey is offered, and basically anything a child wants out, they can find,

But do these children really understand such an important experience?

When I was younger, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go to Disney World twice before the age of 10.

Here is what I can tell you about my experience:

At the age of four, I remember wearing my Ariel shirt and watching the Disney parade. I remember Ariel herself waving to me. The only reason I can recall this is because of a picture I carried around of Ariel at that parade, after getting home from Disney.

At the age of seven, during my second time at Disney, I remember a talking trashcan running into my sister, as well as loving Space Mountain, and being too small for the Rock-N-Roller Coaster.

From those small memories, anyone can see that there is no magic and hardly any detail. I wish I could recall how I felt seeing my favorite character face-to-face. I wish I could remember what it felt like seeing Cinderella's castle. I wish I was able to be a princess for the day but sadly, I was so young that I only really remember what my family talked about years later.

This past summer, I was once again given the opportunity to experience Disney, this time as a 19-year-old. I'll admit that I was not exactly excited about going; a 17-hour car ride squished next to a mother that knew nothing about personal space was not exactly my scene. I also had to leave my dog home alone with a stranger. So yes, I was the least thrilled person in the world to head to Disney (sorry, Mom).

The first park we went to was Hollywood Studios. Still not being excited, I woke up early that morning, went on a run, and prepared for a day of hot sun and whining crowds. Let's just say I was not ready for what came next. We walked into Hollywood Studios around 9 a.m., and I immediately broke down in tears. "Frozen" gift shops, "Frozen" signs, "Frozen" characters, parade goers, Mickey ears, Disney quotes, magic; I became so overwhelmed that my emotions overtook me.

This place was amazing.

The day was full of smiles bigger than the Mickey ears and laughter louder than the "Frozen" sing-along show (I should mention here that "Frozen" is my absolute favorite movie). I sang "Let it Go" at least a dozen times with strangers. That night we saw "Fantasmic," a firework show that involved all of the Disney characters dancing, fighting, and celebrating the night.

The next day, we walked around Epcot, and I experienced Mexico, Paris, the Grand Canyon and even took a mission to space with my best friend.

On Wednesday, I got up close and personal with tigers and spent the time in Africa dancing to the drum beats, and chasing a monster up a mountain.

On Thursday, for the third time in my life, I experienced Cinderella's castle, and walked past Beast's castle and Rapunzel's castle, and I never wanted to be a princess more.

Long story short, I had a magical and memorable time at Disney World.

I completely fell for the magic and every little thing Disney is about. I was a little girl again, walking around a beautiful world that was nothing but happiness. After a summer of working three jobs, it was such an amazing thing to feel weightless and to really smile.

So now, I ask: who experienced Disney better?

The 4-year-old that remembers the wave of Ariel?

Or the 19-year-old that felt as if she was brought back down to earth, a beautiful earth, by a mouse with oversized ears?

I am not saying that Disney is for everyone, but in a way, I think it is an experience that is more important for the adults than it is for children. In such a scary and demanding world, we need a way to be reminded that there is still magic. We need something to help us escape our demons of every day life. We need to be kids again.

Thank you, Walt Disney, for reminding me that I am still a princess at heart and for showing me that I will never be too old for magic.