Do you remember those cheesy rom-coms that always had to include that cliche yoga scene in them? You know, the one where the instructor chants: close your eyes, travel to your happy place. Now tell me, where are you? People will comment to themselves, "The coast of Mexico sipping a margarita" or, "Front row at a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert." The strange thing is, while these scenes are beyond cringe-worthy, they've always inspired me to think about where my happy place is and why. For years I've done this exercise alongside the actors of these films and it has always been the same answer. The place I am happiest is none other than THE happiest place on earth: Disney World.
As a child, this was completely logical to me. What kid isn't thrilled at the thought of riding Splash Mountain and meeting Mickey, Minnie and the whole gang? However, after going to Disney for what seemed like every single weekend for roughly 6 years of my life, I became bored. I didn't think Disney was exciting anymore; I grew numb. Truthfully, I wanted nothing to do with it.
I'll never comprehend if it was a pride issue, as in wanting to seem mature to my peers, or what. All I know is that by the time I had gotten to high school, I was a Disney fanatic all over again and I begged my parents every chance I could for a trip in the near future. Since then, my love has only grown. I took my first vacation, as an adult, to Disney World this past spring break and it was the most magical experience of my life.
Most people ask what in the world is it about Disney that's appealing to adults, and I honestly couldn't tell you. When you become an adult, you tend to forget what real excitement feels like. You forget what it's like to smile and laugh for no apparent reason, or what it's like to not make things so much more complex than what they already are. It's not our faults, it's just the way life has conditioned us; we don't find anything appealing unless we're young enough to enjoy it or old enough to drink while doing it.
For myself? That isn't the case at all. My eyes still light up when my car inches closer and closer to the Disney sign. I cry meeting Peter Pan and Aladdin. I'm still scared to put my arms up going down Splash Mountain. I eat food from every single country in Epcot, scream in horror on Dinosaur and I still wear my Maleficent-themed Mickey ears everywhere I go in Orlando. Everything life has attempted to drain from me in the adult world, Disney places back right into my hands.
Honestly, there is just something beautifully nostalgic about the entire ordeal. However, it's not just about doing the things that I used to do as a child that contributes to my love for Disney, it's that I love seeing others pass these memories down to their little ones. Nothing makes my heart say, "Awww..." more than watching a little girl dressed as Cinderella meet her Fairy Godmother in real life.
Disney parks and employees have done a careful job to allow the magic behind Walt's creation to flourish. The effort and enthusiasm can be felt in the atmosphere, and it's these little things that, for me, convey that Disney is truly the happiest place on earth and that magic does, in fact, exist.
