There is a place that has captured my heart. It is a place where there is endless magic. A place where you can be anyone you want to be. It is a place where the old become young again. A place where fantasy never dies. In this place you can visit the circus and then journey on over to the land of tomorrow, you can travel back in time and visit Main Street U.S.A. circa the early 1900's. You can visit with a mouse, or shrink down and see a pixie. You can transform into a beautiful princess, a dashing knight, a swashbuckling pirate or a mystical mermaid. You can cruise the jungle and see an elephant fly in the same day. That place, I'm sure you've guessed by now is Magic Kingdom.
I can't tell you when it happened exactly, but I have fallen in love with Magic Kingdom. I have fallen in love with the way the castle looks all lit up at night, the stunning sunsets you'll see throughout the park. I have fallen in love with the parade walks and feeling like I am one of the most important cast members for the next twenty minutes while the guests cheer me on. I have fallen in love with the parades, with cheering for the characters and having them interact with me. I have fallen in love with my young guests, the ones young and old alike who enter the park with their eyes gleaming from excitement and bodies brimming with excitement. I have fallen in love with the tired parents, who are clearly exhausted but still trying to make the most out of the family vacations.
I have fallen in love with magical moments, with seeing a child's face light up when I tell them Mickey said they can have the toy they've been eyeing on my glow cart for the past ten minutes. I have fallen in love with making a guest's day better just by smiling and being kind. I have fallen in love with guests good and bad alike. The amazing guests who truly care about me as a cast member teach me every day that there still is some good in the world. The angry guests help me learn how to keep a smile on my face and to finally face confrontation the Disney way. I have learned how to put myself in the shoes of a guest, and not someone who can visit the park for a hot minute before work. I am slowly learning compassion, a trait I never realized I was missing.
I have fallen in love with my job. With my wonderful coordinators and leaders, and my fellow cast members. I have fallen in love with bubble wands and Elsa spinners, with watching Wishes every night. I have fallen in love with every thing inside this Magic Kingdom. It truly is the place where dreams come true. I realize there will come a day when I won't be able to see Cinderella's castle standing before me in all it's glory. There will come a day when I can't see Festival of Fantasy in person and have to settle for a YouTube recording. There will be a day when I can't see Celebrate the Magic and Wishes. I am dreading the day when I have to leave my happy place.
I have fallen in love with the Magic Kingdom. Happy 45th anniversary to the place that has stolen my heart. One day I hope to call you my permanent home.
