Kelsey P

“The Happiest Place on Earth”

            During spring break of 2008, I flew to Disney World with my family. Not only was it my first time on a plane, it was my first trip to Disney! I felt various emotions that day, nervous to be on the plane, but so excited to go to Disney. I got on the plane and took a seat next to my sister. We were both so eager! I sat next to the window and watched out as we took off. We started going faster and faster, and then began to lift off the runway into the sunny blue sky. My ears popped as we got higher, but I was so caught up in the experience that I didn’t seem to mind. I remember looking down and seeing a beach with many people who looked like little dots. I felt as if I was on top of the world!

            As we arrived in Florida and got our rental car, my dad announced that he had a surprise for us. I and my two sisters became even more excited! We were so curious as to what the surprise was that we bugged my dad all the way to the resort begging him for clues. He finally revealed to us that we were going to have breakfast with the princesses the next morning. We were so thrilled! We laughed and squealed as we walked into the Port Orleans lobby.

We settled into our room where we would be spending the week. As we brushed out teeth for bed, I realized I had a very loose. I told my mom and before I knew it, she had pulled it out! It happened so fast that I didn’t even feel a thing. On top of all the enthusiasm already, I had a tooth to put under my pillow wondering if the tooth fairy would know where to find me. I woke up the next morning and looked under my pillow.  The tooth fairy not only found me, but she left me money and Princess Chocolate!

            My first day in the park, I was proudly wearing my “First time at Disney” pin that a hotel manager had given me the day we checked in. The pin was to alert park employees to “go the extra mile” and extend a warm welcome to us.  I had my little back pack on filled with money, snacks, sunglasses, and park maps. I walked into the park with my eyes open wide as I took in everything around me. I saw my favorite characters like Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, roller coasters, vendors, and much more. It was overwhelming! Straight ahead I could see Cinderella’s castle. It was so big and beautiful, and I couldn’t believe it was real! It  was everything that a 7 year old girl would want to see.

            As my dad and sisters rode a couple of coasters, my mother and I watched; we were not roller coaster fans. We walked to a section of Magic Kingdom that was all about Mickey and Minnie Mouse. They were about to get on a small roller coaster called “Goofy’s Barnstormer.” This ride had no big drops or loops, so I decided I would give it a try. We waited about 45 minutes before we got close to the gate where you entered the airplane buggies. As we were about to board, reality hit me that I was about to ride a roller coaster. I started to cry. My dad tried to convince me that it would be okay, but I would not listen. I just couldn’t do it so mom and I stepped out of line and waited for the rest of my family to ride the scary coaster.

            There is nothing about my first trip to Disney that I would regret. I wouldn’t even take back the time I panicked at “Goofy’s Barnstormer.”  If I hadn’t of created that memory, I probably would of never remembered that ride. My first time at Disney is something that I will never forget!  Maybe it was the pin I wore that got us extra attention, the overall excitement of seeing Disney characters in real life, the thrill of the rides, or all of the above, but I am so thankful that I got to experience that vacation with my family. For me, Disney really was and is the happiest place on Earth.