The Magic of Disney to Me 

    The pure innocence and lack of inhibition of childhood is something that seems to escape us more and more with each year of “growing up”.  Lines that were never visible before seem to appear between us based on our age, race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and many other factors that are drawn for us by society.  No matter how much I told myself that I was never going to grow up…it seems that it was inevitable.  The stress of finances, expectations, the unknown….all of these worries seems to jump on your back as you get older.  Ahhhh to step back in time just for a second would be such a journey.  On my most recent trip to Disney World this past weekend I felt like I stepped back in time to 1986- to my very first trip to Disney World EVER!!  

    On this most recent trip my husband and I were only going to be there for 3 days so we didn’t expect or even attempt to get everything in.  Instead we went with one main goal of relaxing.  It was Memorial Day Weekend so any attempt to fight the crowds and ride every ride would have proven hopeless anyway.  Instead, we wanted to enjoy the simple atmosphere that Disney has created in Disney World.  I think of it as a sort of “bubble” shielded from the outside world.  It’s funny, but many people don’t notice how diverse of a place Walt Disney World really is.  There are people of every race, speaking many languages.  Basically you can find people of all shapes and sizes, spiritual beliefs, sexual orientations, and ethnic backgrounds all having fun together in the same place.  If only the whole world could be like that.  

    I think the reason that Disney evokes the “child” in us is that they have created a place where everyone feels special and is most always treated as such.  Whether you are in a wheel chair or can walk just fine, sick or healthy, short or tall, fat or skinny, black or white, young or old…it simply doesn’t matter because Mickey Mouse will always treat you as a long lost friend!!!  We don’t have to worry about being judged so much….I mean where else can a grown man walk around with Mickey ears and a fanny pack on and not be laughed at…often not even given a strange look????  If you know of someplace else please let me know!!!

    I guess because we were not so busy riding rides or hustling over to the next line on this most recent trip, I had the chance to really ponder what makes Disney World such a special place to me.  I came to the conclusion that it is because it has a special way of making everyone equal.  At least much more so than most anywhere else I have ever been.  That feeling allows us to lose much of our inhibition and really enjoy the “Happiest Place on Earth” with less baggage than we might normally be afforded.        

    I remember my very first trip around the “Swiss Family Robinson Tree House” and how my imagination ran wild with what it would be like to live in such a fantastic home!!  In Disney World you don’t have to worry about whether something is real or pretend, there really is no difference in Disney World…..and no boundaries.  Who would have ever thought that the Imagineers could create all the amazing things they have created???  They have no boundaries….they imagine something and then figure out how they can do it.  Imagine if we had that possibility in our lives…to imagine something and then find a way to make it real!!!  Just listen to the message in “Wishes”.  Its amazing how much we want our children to believe in the idea that wishes can come true but how many of us can truly say we believe??  Disney reminds us that we never really lose the child in us.  The one who believed in magic and that anything is possible if we work hard enough at something.  The child in us may get a little dusty and hidden over the years in the shadow of a sometimes dark reality, but I don’t believe he or she is ever lost for good.  The truth is that Disney gives us a chance to do and see things beyond our wildest dreams….and through this experience we take with us a little glimmer of hope that just maybe dreams really can come true….for all of us.  After all Walt did say “To ALL who come to this happy place- Welcome”- And I am so glad that everyone is just that….”welcome”, to share in a place where dreams can come true for us all

Mattie Wilson