Never too Old for Disney

A Fact Proven by 4 Sorority Sisters

I still get excited to go to Disney, sometimes to the point I can't sleep beforehand. This was one of those times. I was looking forward to it for a few weeks. I was looking forward to making memories, outside of Gainesville (where there is not much to do outside campus.) It's not all the time you get to bring home your friends from college and show them around your favorite theme park and town. It's not all the time you get to escape college life, and live like a kid, again. It's not all the time you experience the magic of it all.

At 9:22 AM our adventure began. We got our coffee, turned on the perfect playlist, and headed for Magic Kingdom. For what seemed like days driving down I-75 we never stopped talking or singing. Once we passed the Clermont exit, I was happy to be home (even if it was for less than 24 hours.) I loved the feeling of familiarity. I loved being around places that meant something to me, even if no one else understood. From passing Highway 50 to Winter Garden Village to the famous Walt Disney World sign, I loved pointing out where I’ve made memories. I loved explaining my history, telling my story.

We arrived at Disney’s Transportation & Ticket Center around 11 and were lucky to be the first parking spot next to where the tram picks up. The bag check line is where the dreaded waiting begun and continued as we boarded the monorail. We finally stood at the front gate of the Happiest Place On Earth by noon.

We took pictures in front of the castle right when we got there, but we didn’t focus on getting the perfect picture. We were there to make real memories. We took more candids for the memories than we did for the world to see, although we did post a few.

I’m sure I get it from my mom, but I was happy to be a tour guide down Main Street and through every land. We cruised through the Speedway, smiled with Goofy and Donald, busted through Barnstormer, sailed through Pirates, raced through Space Mountain, competed through Buzz Lightyear, floated through Haunted Mansion, and climbed through Big Thunder Mountain.

I always forget how much I take advantage of going so often, of living so close. I forget to stop and take it all in. I tried my best to stay patient waiting in the lines. Because sometimes the best conversations, the most laughs were to be had as we waited over an hour. We made the most of the lines. We snacked; We played Heads Up and Monopoly; We talked about the most random things; We planned many more road trips for the future.

After being in the park for 8 hours, we ended the night watching fireworks, as one does. I couldn’t think of the last time I stayed that long or that late. The whole night I was excited to know I’d be going home to see my family, to sleep in my own bed (actually my brother’s top bunk), to give my mom a hug.