Remember back when you were six? Life seemed so simple then. You went to this great place called kindergarten every morning, then came home, took a nap, played some games, and then went to bed by eight. But by far the best part of being six was believing in fairy tales. From an early age, I was obsessed with Disney – especially the Disney princesses. It seemed like that was certainly the way I wanted to live my life when I grew up – dancing and singing around a beautiful castle with talking animals while I waited for my prince to arrive.
But now that I am grown, I have learned that, although appealing, life doesn’t quite happen like it does in fairy tales. I was lucky enough to have the Disney World experience at a very young age – and I’ve been hooked ever since. It would probably take me at least two hands to count the number of times I’ve been there, but it never seems to get old. There’s just something about that place that’s just, well, magical. So when my sister called me up from Boston and decided that my spring break was a good enough excuse for her to take a few days off from work and enjoy some Disney fun, I jumped at the chance.
The two of us, along with our friend who has the wonderful experience of working in the parks, spent three days waltzing around Disney World (and Harry Potter World, of course), talking in British accents and acting like fools. We wore bright colors, took tons of pictures, and ate way too much junk food. I managed to only use my phone to take Instagram photos and tweet about my wonderful experiences – not bothering to check emails or pay mind to other “real-life” duties. It was (almost) like we were kids again. Going back to Disney World as an adult (?), I’ve gained an even greater appreciation for the place.
I’ve always felt that “magical” feeling they all talk about when you enter a Disney park, but this time I really watched how the “cast members” make it happen. One of my good friends is a dancer in parades and shows, and so as we watched each and every parade that came down main-street, I was enthralled with the energy and the professionalism of all of the performers. Not only did I feel like a kid again, but I understood why my parents didn’t mind spending fifteen dollars on every meal and who-knows-how-much on souvenirs each time they took me. You don’t mind paying a little extra for performers and workers that do such a spectacular job making sure you have the best experience possible.
In the end, I find that life can get pretty dreary (especially in the Pittsburgh weather). Classes, exams, work, internships, and the stress of the future can leave us feeling down-right exhausted. My advice? Think about what your favorite activity as a child was. Coloring? Watching Disney Princess movies? Arts and crafts? Recess? You don’t have to book a trip to Disney World to feel like a kid again. You can do it right there in that dorm room or out in Schenley Park. Go down to Rite-Aid and purchase a coloring book and some crayons or a soccer ball. Put your phone, lap-top, and all other tweeting devices away and lose yourself in whichever activity you choose. It will have you feeling like a kid again and from my experience, kids just don’t stress.