How My Love For Disney Began

I’ve wanted to write about how my love for Disney started for a while now. But, I kept on pushing it off. So, today is the day I finally get to talk about how it all began! I like to say it all started with a mouse, and it did! 

When I was five years old, I was granted a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation to go to Disney World. We stayed at the Give Kids the World Village in Florida. Since I was only five, I don’t remember much about the experience. I just remembered that there was a carousel with giant carrots, big Mickey and Minnie Mouse dolls, a boat with the characters of Bear in the Big Blue House, and a tree with a face. However, I do remember meeting the Disney characters at both Give Kids the World and Disney World. The first time I saw Mickey and Minnie Mouse, I was like, “Those are the most beautiful mice I have ever seen!” All the characters were very friendly, and for once, I got to forget about the fact that I was sick and disabled. I got to be a regular kid!

After that trip, I fell in love with everything Disney! I’d watch Playhouse Disney every morning while getting ready for school. Since Mickey Mouse is my favorite Disney character, one of my favorite shows was Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. I even bought plushes of Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Daisy, Donald, and Pluto so that I could reenact the show. As I got older, I started watching Disney Channel, and my favorite show was Hannah Montana. I was Hannah for Halloween, and she was one of the reasons why I fell in love with singing. I had my blonde wig, the gold jacket, gold boots, and pretend microphone, and I’d sing my heart out while the crowd yelled, “Hannah, Hannah, Hannah!”     

I loved the characters, and I still get joy seeing their faces at Disney Parks, on TV, and merchandise. But, I never had a chance to watch any classic Disney films, except for The Lion King and Mulan. I watched the newer films like Frozen, Zootopia, The Incredibles, Coco, and Moana. Those are great films by the way! It wasn’t until I joined the Disney Ohana Club at UH that I got into those classics. I’m grateful for my club because they inspired me to dive into Disney’s catalog and taught me what Disney is all about. Disney takes people back to the simplicity of life, and brings joy, love, and happiness to everyone. It’s about magic and making dreams come true.

Before my club, I never knew how many great songs Disney had or how wonderous the classic Disney films were. For example, my new favorite Disney song is “Almost There” from The Princess and the Frog, and I never would’ve discovered that song if it weren’t for my club. Same thing with The Jungle Book and Peter Pan. Such simple, yet such magical films, and I never would’ve given them a chance if I hadn’t joined the Disney Ohana Club! It was the storytelling, the magic, and the ability to make others happy that made me fell in love with Disney! 

Disney has stuck by my side through all the ups and downs in my life. Besides music, it is the only constant interest that has remained in life. That is a big deal because I go through a lot of obsessions/phases of interest. Also, ever since my trip to Walt Disney World, I’ve wanted to repay Disney in some way and thank them for changing my life for the better. So, that’s why I need to accomplish my dream of working for Disney one day so that I can show my appreciation and give back to others the same way Disney did for me! 

What is it about Disney that makes people want more? Could it be the films, the parks, the attractions, the characters, etc.? Let me know in the comments down below to start a conversation!

Take care and see ya real soon!

Lana