For the past six years, any time my parents asked me what I wanted for my birthday, Christmas or as a graduation present, I would always respond that I wanted to go to Disney World. I was lucky and got to go a few times when I was much younger, but I don’t remember most of the trips. For my 21st birthday my mom, sister and I went to Florida with my cousins. I thought that the chances of getting to go to Disney World that year were slim to none because our trip was pretty last minute and it's a popular spring break location so I knew it was already expensive. My sister had been hyping me up for weeks telling me that my parents were trying to get us to go and figuring how to do it. As my birthday approached I couldn’t help but wonder: is Disney World not going to be fun because I’m 20? Is it still going to be magical?
On the airplane going to Florida my mom basically told me we weren’t going and I was bummed, but I still was excited for my birthday. Originally I was going to be in New York in the cold taking a midterm until 9 p.m. The night before my birthday I stayed up with my cousin and sister when we heard something from the other room. We ignored it but my dad surprised me with a bunch of balloons including some Mickey Mouse ones to celebrate my birthday with us. I was already so happy and excited that he came but then they surprised me again by telling me that I should go to bed because we had to wake up early to go to Disney World. Finally! After six years of asking I was finally going to Disney World!
The next day we woke up early and instead of being a grouch like I usually am if I wake up before 9 a.m., I jumped out of bed. I got ready and couldn’t be more excited. I was also a little nervous because I watched my fair share of Disney World behind-the-scenes shows and I knew exactly what was going on. When we got there, though, I instantly felt like a kid again. I couldn’t wait to get into the park and get Minnie Mouse ears and go on all my favorite Disney rides. I had heard if you go on your birthday or any day that you’re celebrating you can get a pin so everyone in the park knows. I’m one of those people that loves my birthday, so this was right up my alley. I proudly wore a pin that said "21" and off we went.
The atmosphere was just the same as I remembered. Cinderella’s castle was just as incredible as I remembered. I couldn’t help but want to take pictures with it and pretty much everything else in the park. Instead of being annoyed that I had to wait in lines, I was excited to get on the rides and to see characters. Even though I don’t remember the trips when I was younger, I can imagine that I was just as happy. We didn't get to go on too many rides but it was fun just to walk around and look at everything. There were so many amazing things to look at and it was impossible to do them all.
It definitely made the experience more magical because it was my birthday. Every employee that I interacted with said "Happy Birthday, Princess" which made my day. The whole thing was great. I think even if you know how everything comes together at the park, it doesn’t really take away the magic of it. You just see it a little different. Disney World is something I don’t think anyone can really out grow.
Overall, it was a great experience. I would go back in a heartbeat and continue to tell people to go, even if you're going as an "adult." No matter how old you are, Disney World will always be "The Happiest Place on Earth."
