Most people think that Disney, and anything related to it like the Parks and movies, are all just stuff for kids. It’s almost a knee-jerk reaction now when an adult mentions liking Disney, they are more likely than not to get some odd looks.

And when it comes to teenagers, it’s practically unheard of for them to like Disney related stuff, except for the occasional Hot Topic shirt or the like.

That being said, as someone who consistently and constantly enjoys going against the grain I did hold a similar idea for a while. Disney was just for kids, and since I didn’t go to Disney World as a kid well, I just missed out. Oh well.

I didn’t have the opportunity to go to the Disney Parks (and remember my time there) until I was about 15 years old. By then, I was clearly into my teenage years.

I was nervous, excited, and trying very badly to act like going to a place I’d only ever seen through Youtube videos wasn’t the coolest thing ever.

So, was I able to get over my deluded ideas of what and who Disney is for and have fun the first time I entered the Magic Kingdom? Yes, about five minutes into the day I realized acting like I was too cool for Disney was stupid because hello- Walt Disney World? The Magic Kingdom? That is way too awesome to ignore.

If you’ve never been to Disney World, and you’re mad you didn’t get to go as a kid for whatever reason (your parents didn’t like theme Parks, your family didn’t have the money, etc.) You can still have that magical moment as a teenager or an adult.

I’m kind of glad I didn’t get the opportunity to go until I was a teenager- by that point my brother was way too cool to go on vacation with his family which meant I got to bring my best friend instead. (Shout out to Danielle for encouraging me to try to write for Odyssey!) Also, I had an iPhone at that point, so I could take literally hundreds of pictures.

Would it have been cool to go as a little kid, do the princess/pirate dress up thing, take part in the Jedi training experience, and all that? Well, yes. But I can tell you without a doubt in my mind I would have forgotten all if not most of it. Instead of a half remembered first time, I got to go to the literally most magical place on Earth with my best friend- meet Princesses and Princes, go on rides I would have been too scared as a kid to go on, and not only do my parents remember it, I do too.

As a last note- if you’re a parent and you find yourself unable to take your kids to Disney or similar stuff- it’ll be okay. Your kid knows, maybe not at this exact moment, that you did your best which as my Dad tells me every day, is what really matters.