The waters of Lake Buena Vista glistened as the ferry slowly tugged its freight across from the middle of Florida into another world. My head seemed to cut a path through the thick, muggy air as I craned my neck to get the first view of one of the world's most famous landmarks--the eighth wonder of our world--the Cinderella Castle. Walt Disney always intended for the world he created to be one completely different from anything that we experienced away from it.
Although Walt Disney World is located in central Florida, stepping onto the property is like entering a friendly vortex--time seems to simultaneously stop and continue on, all while spinning in a frenzy with the celebrated magic all started by a mouse. As my family and I perused the 1920's vibrancy of Main Street U.S.A, marveled at the vibrant wilderness of Animal Kingdom, and sashayed with the stars in Hollywood Studios, something finally came to me that had long been evaded during my visits to the parks when I was very young. The true magic of Disney is not found simply in its pixie dust, but in the spirit, it inspires in all of its guests.
With every movie, musical number, ride, or friendly wave from a cast member, Disney inspires us to be the best version of ourselves there is. It is the only place in the world where war has never ravaged its lands. It is the one place where--in the spirit of happiness and good nature--people from all over the world come to celebrate their achievements, and believe in the power of family.
Differences are celebrated in the uniqueness of our similarities. By believing in the power of faith and trust, our morals and beliefs work to become magic even stronger than pixie dust. You do not leave Disney a changed person but rather refreshed in your own personal value. Sometimes it's not a reinvention we need to seek, but rather a reminder of who we are, and the power we hold in our hands to create true and lasting change.
If you have never experienced the wonders of a trip to Disney, I encourage you, go. You will not leave without a refresh of heart, and a new vision of the world and what we can create as one. So many consider Disney to be nothing but a simple child's fantasy. It takes us growing up and seeing its beauty in design for us to realize that it is the happiest and most powerful kingdom to ever take up the place on our Earth.
And to think, it all started with a mouse.
