I’m a suburban mother of two, a veteran high school English teacher, a short story and essay writer, an aspiring novelist, a copywriter, and an editor. And though no one likes to admit that they’re not special, I must confess that I’m just another raving Walt Disney World fan…probably one just like you.
I belong to Facebook groups dedicated to giving advice on park-hopping, rope-dropping, and hidden-Mickey-hunting. My 14-year-old daughter and I spend our Sundays soaking in every smile and strategy that Adam Hattan has to offer on his vlogs. When my guests inquire about the striking blue and gold impressionist artwork hanging in our dining room, I am blessed to say that it’s a Mary Blair.
I. Am. Hooked.
I. Am. Committed.
I. Am. In. Love.
Perhaps unlike many other Disney-obsessed adults, however, I started imbibing the Dole Whip later in life, when my husband and I brought our daughter and son to Walt Disney World in 2014. I wore my first set of sequined mouse ears and rode my first rollercoaster at the age of 39. I discovered that, even though I had never enjoyed organizing trips (or, as a creative and organic sort, organizing much of anything!), choreographing the steps of a Walt Disney World vacation could invigorate my imagination and challenge my storytelling skills in fresh, fun ways. And on top of it all, my family and I were having a blast carrying out the plot of the adventure that we had crafted.
For me, the Walt Disney Company represents the crucial role that stories play in shaping our identities. Stories are the means through which we learn to empathize by imagining ourselves in the glass slippers of others. Stories invite us to experiment with our feelings toward justice and injustice, and encourage us to stand up for what we believe in. Stories provide us with escape from our daily obligations and from authority’s sometimes suffocating expectations. Stories, especially those brought to vibrant life by Walt Disney Imagineers, remind us of how beautiful and wondrous the world can be.
This storytelling angle is the one that I naturally take on all things Disney, whether I am sharing trip anecdotes, proposing itineraries, or “reading” the message of an attraction the way I would read a written fairytale. Sure, I wanted to be a Disney princess when I was seven years old. But ironically, the older I get, the more aligned I feel with the mission of Walt Disney, his Films, Parks, and Resorts.