Yesterday I was watching some live streaming and got to hear the opening of EPCOT. It was Walt's voice and it got me thinking ... what would he think of Disney today? What would he have thought about EPCOT, Holllywood, Studios, and Animal Kingdom all things he never got to see. And I started thinking back to watching the Imagineering special on Disney + and how after his death the imagineers seemed to follow in his footsteps what he wanted to achieve in the parks. I do believe there are some decisions that were made that he wouldn't have necessarily agreed with, but those decisions were made for the better of the park and the experience it brought families.
When you start thinking of how it all started and what it grew into it is absolutely incredible. Parks all over the world, the partnerships made with the star wars franchise, Marvel, and even the Pixar period. How incredible it all was that how those decisions brought newer genres to the park, people who wouldn't have necessarily called themselves "disney people" who are now proud "disney adults".
I experienced my first trip to Disneyworld in 1983. EPCOT was still being built and we could see the construction of Spaceship Earth from my hotel window. We were staying at a hotel near Disney Springs which back then was known as Downtown Disney. I was only 14 years old and my sister 11. We had just lost our father the year before and our Mom, Gram, Aunt, and cousin accompanied us on the trip. Only years later I thought to myself how much my Dad would have loved going there. He would have acted like he didn't but I knew he was always a big kid at heart.
We traveled back to Disneyworld four more times after that: 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2016. I know me personally I am well overdue for another trip. We are hopefully going to make it there next summer for a family vacation. I have already opted to only eat PB&J sandwhiches the whole time just to make it there. For me this trip will be extra special.
After battling cancer for 3 years there was a time during that where I felt I would never walk down Main Street again. I would never experience that "disney magic" again. Some people don't get the whole "disney state of mind" but that is because they have forgotten to feel like a kid. Back when life was simple and the little things in life brought you joy.
Now, I know ... this next time I walk onto Main Street and look at that Castle in the distance tears will probably run down my face. But those tears will be tears of joy. Everything in my life after this battle has been different. The one thing that has stayed the same is my love for Disney. It is a place to forget about the day to day problems and the stresses of being an adult. Disney is for kids of all ages ... and this kid can't wait to visit the happiest place on earth and celebrate life. In a way, that is something that Walt wanted for everyone.
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