Disney World. Lake Buena Vista, Florida

For years now…oh, and I mean years, way too many to count (but over 45), I’ve been blessed many times with the ability to go to the fabulous magical land called  Disney World in Lake Buena Vista Florida. My older sisters’ were among the very first to grace the grounds along with my grandparents.  They took the wonderful drive down I 75 to  Disney in their RV from Michigan  was still in my mother’s womb. Well, I must have carried the excitement, anticipation oh, and jealousy of not being able to attend this brand new world, because I certainly adopted all of the fascination, childlike nuances and excitement every time I think about going back every time.

They say it is the sheer Joy of watching a child’s expression experiencing something fantastical and whimsical for the first time that fills your heart with glee and is more addictive than sugar.. But I believe it is even more than that. I believe that even as adults we are reminded that dreams can come true, great stories can transform, and the imagination can take us as far as we allow it to go.

 Walt Disney World is an extraordinary symbol of what is possible when we stretch our limits, ideas, imaginations and even belief in what is possible.The knowledge that one location has brought billions of people everyday together from all walks of life, many different experiences, and cultures to share in it’s peek into the future is mindblowing. Disney World, taps into the possibilities of what if and forces all that walk down magical mainstreet to be absolutely present in the moment creating memories for a lifetime.It seems the ultimate  goal of sharing a golden vision of someone else’s and showing what is possible with love, hardwork and endless perseverance to make others marvel and  smile with pure joy are at the core of Disney’s existence.

I am so proud to still say I’m a Disney kid, the fact that our kids Ace and  Kingston are Disney kids as well  and are just as excited if not more than me to attend and find new activities and things to explore excites me to no end. When able, Disney is more than an escape; it is an extension of someone’s belief that you could create something so powerful, innovative and demonstrative that it becomes infectious. That is a gift to us all. 

Let’s take it back decades, when  Walt Disney was buying up literal swampland back in the fifties and sixties with the belief that he could take his Gold Mine Mickey Mouse cartoon idea and create a World of Magic. Imagine trying to buy up land and for an idea that didn’t even exist as of yet, with the land that wasn’t even there (swamp land to be built upon)  the sheer blank canvas of swamp land in the middle of Orlando Florida oh, my gosh the thought that someone saw that and then  said here is where ‘Paradise on Earth’ is going to be just blows my mind. And I am so grateful for his Insight, intuition and quite possibly spiritual intervention that touched him with such a thought and then the drive to actually believe he could pull it off. But then the fortitude, willpower, dedication, and desire to see it through has made this new existence possible. Wow.

As an avid traveler, dreamer, entrepreneur, reader, adventurer, I draw so much inspiration and happiness every time I travel back to Lake Buena Vista and to Disney World to see what is new. Every time we go, there is new found treasure. I can recall traveling to Disney with my family over the years when I was a kid then going with my friends and then going with my family. As a mom now,  I truly believe that over the 40 times I’ve been, there’s still so much more to see and do.  Just like my life, I feel like although there is so much that I have accomplished, failed at, seen and done, oh, I am still a wonderful work in progress just like Disney!  

Growing and adapting to a new world around me.  Where Disney is an organized wonderful well-run machine however, I feel more like beautiful chaos.  Which is perfectly fine and wonderful in itself. Because just like the many different exhibits, rides, attractions, food selections we are all so different and unique and have our own desires, experiences, goals, and dreams. 

It’s just so amazing to be among so many other people experiencing the shared experience of Walt Disney. Traveling to Disney to grab the magic and sampling a slice of one man’s dream.  I wonder if he even imagined where his vision has grown  today. With movies, Disney+ streaming channel, International Park,toys, adventure games and more, his dream grew wings and is soaring like a mighty phoenix. Thank you Walt Disney for your vision and the singular goal of tapping into everyone’s innermost fantasy. Disney World represents a magical world of possibility and pure joy.. I hope I am always a Disney kid at heart and truly wish that everyone at least one time in their lives can experience lightning in a bottle that exists at Walt Disney World.

Wish upon a star…

Happy Holiday Rising