The question I firmly believe I am asked the most is "Why do you love Disney so much?" The answer is so simple, yet so complex. I begin the same each time; "It has always been a part of my life." And then I expand from there, explaining the depths of my relationship with the popular franchise.
My family has been going to Disney World for various vacations since before I was born. (My first time to Disney World being in utero.) I've always associated it with fun, happiness, and innocence. I grew up watching the Disney classic films like Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast. (I even watched The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea for a time.) As the characters became more like role-models, I was growing up.
My favorite Disney movie is Princess and the Frog; I think it is an underrated gem. The music has the swing of 1920's jazz, the hand drawn animation is rare and stunning, and Tiana is a strong and independent woman who fights back against prejudice and racism. No movie since has yet to too it for me, much opposed to what most think.
Many people assume my favorite Disney film is Frozen, but that is simply because Elsa is my absolute favorite character. Elsa was the first character in a film that was truly what I was and grew to become what I aspired to be. She was the first majorly publicized Disney character to shed light on struggling with mental disorders. Elsa deals with depression and anxiety, both of which I can identify with. She isolated, she was afraid, and she let her fears control her. She was complicated yet relatable and overall proved to be stronger than she believed she could be.
When I joined my sorority, I was given the nickname "Koda" by my big sister. Yes, after the cuddly and adorable cub from Disney's Brother Bear. That film also happened to be one of my absolute favorites as a kid. Some call it all coincidence, but to me it was fate for me to have found home in this sorority.
Returning to the subject of Disney World, I think I can confidently say I've been there over 20 times in my life. It's absurd, and kinda weird but it's shaped who I am and who I am is pretty rad. My paternal grandparents moved away to Florida when I was still pretty young, so when my family would drive to visit, we'd take a detour to Disney World. I used to be a competitive cheerleading for about 7 years of my life, as was my older sister. The national championship was held in- you guessed it- Disney World. Throw in a few more summer vacations and a chorus competition, and the times really add up. It got to the point where, in 2008, my family decided to become Disney Vacation Club members.
I think another reason might be because I am pretty much always really happy and content when I'm there. I can only recall one time where I was truly upset in Disney World that stayed with me, but besides that it's all beautiful memories. Every time I've gone, it's been with someone I've loved dearly. My family of course, and my closest of friends. There I even met one of my cousins for the first time, whom my family haven't seen in over 20 years, and felt like a part of my life was missing until she came into it.
I've had my most genuine laughs and the brightest smiles there, and it's cast of characters taught me lessons that deeply shaped my character (ba-dum-tiss). Even at this moment, as I am writing this article from my room at Disney's Beach Club Resort, I'm smiling from ear to ear because I had a wonderful morning at Hollywood Studios. That's right, I'm on location right now; talk about obsessed! It's just my parents and I because there was no way I would let the two of them go without taking me along.
The bottom line is: Disney is deeply embedded in my heart. I don't care how childish it makes me because no matter how old I get, my love of the franchise will never waver. It is a part of who I am, a part of me that will truly never grow up.
