I Will Never Outgrow Disney
Start writing a post
Student Life

I Will Never Outgrow Disney

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

30
I Will Never Outgrow Disney
Disney Parks

I grew up in a Disney household. My dad worked for the company for a part of my (very) young childhood, so we always had pictures and Christmas decorations and mugs and movies and... well, we had everything Disney-related one could ever imagine laying around the house. My first movie was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. And I'm pretty sure I was every Disney character imaginable for Halloween -- everyone from Minnie Mouse to Winnie the Pooh to Cinderella.

I visited Disney World for the first time when I was eight-years-old, and after growing up with the company, it was everything I could have ever imagined. Since my mom and dad knew that my little brother and I were such big Disney fans, they made sure that we got everything a kid could every dream of for their first time at the theme park. We went to countless character breakfasts featuring Mickey and his friends as well as ones involving every Disney Princess known to humankind (I liked those better than my brother); we traveled the world at Epcot; we waited in line to meet just about every character so that our brand new character autograph books could be filled; and we got our very own set of ears that, really, you cannot escape the visit to the park with.

We repeated the tradition for a few years since my dad always conveniently seemed to have business trips at convention centers on Disney property. But then my brother and I started growing up. The parks weren't changing enough to keep us or our parents entertained for a week. And I had entered that strange tween phase in life where Disney is not cool -- it's for kids!

But I was lying to myself, and I knew it. While my friends would scoff at the Disney movies that came out or laugh when we talked about how childish it really was, I felt this pang of betrayal. Here I was with a group of people making fun of something that had been such an important part of my life. I had grown up with Disney and there was no denying that even while I tried to blend in with the crowd, I still loved every aspect of it.

And that's when I cut out the act. That's when I stopped pretending that I was not shaking with excitement every time Disney announced it was going to release a new animated movie or live action adaptation. That's when I felt no shame blasting Disney music in the car and singing every single word (This is still a normal occurrence when I'm in the car with my little brother because when we can agree on nothing else, we can always agree on Disney music). And that's when I started petitioning that we start going back to the Disney parks, starting with a day trip to Disneyland while my family was on vacation in Los Angeles.

We made trips to Disney for three spring breaks in a row while I was in high school and college, and I am not ashamed to say I was just as excited -- if not more excited -- than the little kids dressed up as princesses and pirates. I went straight to the store on Main Street in Magic Kingdom and got my millionth pair of Minnie Mouse ears, took cliche pictures in front of the castle, and marveled at the magic that I had cut out of my life for a brief period of time.

No matter how old I get, I feel as though Disney is something that I will never be able to outgrow. The company that was such a major part of my childhood will have my heart for the rest of my years, and its magic is something that I will happily share with my children some day. And until then I will continue to soak in the magic on my own because no matter how old I get, Disney will always remind me to keep that child in me alive. While my dreams of becoming a princess may not be that plausible, Disney reminds me to chase after my other dreams and to make sure, as Walt himself said, "All our dreams come true if we have the courage to pursue them."

(Hey, look -- I kind of fulfilled that princess dream!)


All photos belong to the author. Yes -- she is even taking credit for that embarrassing early 2000s picture with Mickey Mouse.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

52333
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33621
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956401
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181265
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments