I made my first Disney trip when I was three-years-old, and my second when I was six. And while I cannot recall most of those memories, I do have something that gets me excited every time I open it: my autograph book. This autograph book features Mickey’s signature along with Pluto’s, Goofy's, Max's, Minnie’s, Chip’s, Dale’s, Cruella DeVil’s, and King John’s signatures. It has to be one of my most-prized possessions.
But, I think the real question here is: why is a 19-year-old still talking about Disney World? Well, it’s because I have a somewhat unhealthy obsession with Disney.
Some would think that this fixation is meant for little kids, but to me, it’s perfectly fine. For our three-year anniversary, my boyfriend, Caleb, surprised me with a trip to Disney World for Spring Break next year. Man, was I all ears. Ever since then, I have been talking about Disney non-stop (I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want to go with me by now). I’ve been listening to a Disney Pandora station every day so I can refresh myself for our trip. I've been creating new obsessions that I did not think could even exist.
Because we are going to Disney in 175 days (yes I have a countdown), I have rekindled my love for it. When I was packing my room up to move into my dorm for college, my mom found an old Pluto stuffed animal that I had gotten at Magic Kingdom when we went for the third time. I immediately grabbed Pluto and squeezed him. Pluto was definitely, without a doubt, going to be the stuffed animal on my bed from now on.
I have also done so much research for our trip to Disney in the spring. Apparently, I must try a DoleWhip-- this is a snack you can purchase at Magic Kingdom that is similar to ice cream that comes in six different fruity flavors. Mmm. It is also required that I buy a waffle sandwich from Sleepy Hollow—the waffle is folded over, smeared with Nutella spread, and filled with fresh strawberries and bananas. I am getting chills while typing this.
When I discovered Disney’s Tsum Tsums, I knew it would be another obsession added to the Disney list. Tsum Tsums are little bean-like stuffed animals that are the size of the length of the palm of a hand. There are Disney characters like Mickey and Minnie of course, but Chewbacca and R2D2 from Star Wars and Finding Nemo and friends also can be found in Tsum Tsum form. Right now, I currently have Mickey, Chewbacca, Stitch from Lilo and Stitch, and Donald Duck. I have one miniature figurine of Chip the Chipmunk and a honey-flavored lip balm of Winnie the Pooh. No, I am not embarrassed to own any of this.
I am a Disney obsessors and I am proud. I have no shame in getting excited for my trip that is over five months away. I am going to try and wait patiently, but in the meantime, I have my Pluto to snuggle with at night.
