So... Why a Disney Blog?

Realizing I never did an intro post to this blog, I thought it’d be a good idea to answer the questions of who I am and why I started this endeavor.

My cousin, Brianna, and I with Snow White.

So, why a Disney blog? The answer is simple, really: because I’m a “Disney adult.” But, this certainly isn’t a newfound love or obsession; I was very much so a Disney kid. I grew up going to Disney all the time. Growing up in Miami — just a three-hour drive from Orlando — made it easy to be there often. Some of my favorite memories were made at Disney, many of which I’ll talk about on this blog. When I was little, my family and I were seasonal passholders, and for the past five years, I’ve been a passholder on my own.

I don’t think there’s been a year of my life where I haven’t gone to Disney at least once. The norm for me is once a month or once every two months. And, again, I’m a fully grown 21-year-old… what’s the obsession with Disney?

My first time on Expedition Everest with my dad and brother (in the seat right behind me).

The truth is, there isn’t just one answer. It’s all of the little things I love about it put together that keep me coming back. So, let me give you a peek inside my brain so that maybe you can understand why I love Disney so much.

Disney is a source of joy for so many people, myself included. Seeing kids in Disney with seemingly permanent smiles plastered on their faces makes me so happy. Whether it’s their first time or their tenth time, they still always get so excited to ride their favorite ride or meet their favorite character. The same goes for me; I always get an adrenaline rush every time I ride Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster or get giddy right before I meet Mickey.

Something extra special about visiting Disney is that it gives me an escape from reality. At least for me, every time I’m there, the outside world doesn’t exist. I am able to completely disconnect from other stresses, thoughts, worries, etc. I am fully immersed in a world of fun and happiness. And believe me, I am aware of how cheesy that sounds. I just think I’m lucky to have a place to feel truly happy and not have any other worries.

The fun thing about going to Disney time after time is that there’s always something new to discover. People constantly ask me, “Don’t you get tired of going to Disney and doing the same thing over and over again?” And, really, even if I was doing the same exact thing every time, I still wouldn’t get tired. But, that’s not the case. No two trips to Disney are ever the same — there’s always something new to do or see. Maybe last time I didn’t get to ride Thunder Mountain so I’m going to ride it this time. Or maybe I did ride it last time, but I rode in the front so this time I’m going to ride in the back. (First row and last row are very different ride experiences. Also, last row is better, just saying). Or maybe I want to try the new Dole Whip that just came in — yes, there are sometimes different flavors of Dole Whip, not just pineapple. Or maybe I want to see a new concert in the stage in the American Adventure pavilion. Or, I’ll notice something new on a ride that I had never noticed before. These are just some of the things that can be new each time you visit the park.

My family (older brothers, mom, and dad) and I with the Country Bears.

Disney is also just wildly fascinating. From ride systems to their attention to detail, I am constantly amazed by them. I could ride Soarin’ or Rise of the Resistance or Flight of Passage and still be in awe of their ride systems each time. I am by no means an engineer, and yet, I still sit and try to figure out the intricacies of these incredible rides just out of pure curiosity. An example of Disney’s attention to detail is that in Frozen Ever After, there’s an ode to its predecessor, Maelstrom. In Maelstrom, there was a section that had little penguin animatronics. After the ride was replaced by Frozen, Imagineers kept the little penguins and incorporated them into the new ride. It’s the attention to detail — keeping part of the original attraction that so many loved — that shows how in tune they are. Imagineers even know how much guests love searching for Hidden Mickeys, so they keep including them in attractions and other areas.

Even for someone who isn’t a Disney freak like me, it’s likely they could find something they enjoy. There’s something for everyone. When Walt was first opening Disneyland, he was adamant about the fact that it would be a park not just for kids, but for families to enjoy. And, that still rings true today. Between thrill rides, Food and Wine festival, slow rides, character interactions, etc., there’s something everyone can enjoy. There are also so many places on property where you can get actually good food and drink — not just a typical burger and fries “park food.” But, more on that another time.

While I haven’t stopped talking about Disney World in this post — and, admittedly, most of my content on this blog will be specifically about the parks and resorts, Disney as a company is something you can enjoy even without going to a park.

Me in Animal Kingdom in January 2020.

I remember growing up watching Disney movies and Disney Channel. I would even watch — and was obsessed with — the Disney Sing Along Songs on VHS (even though they came out way before I was born). Disney was something I could enjoy even from the comfort of my own home and something that transcends generations.

I could talk all day (I’m sure by this point, it feels as though I have) about how much Disney means to me and why I decided to start this blog. But, I won’t. The main reason I decided to start it is because it excites me and makes me happy. And, for me, that’s reason enough. I just hope that you all enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing it.