Day 1187: How Did It Start?

If you've been around for a while, you'll know already that my love of Disney really took off when I was around 4 years old and formed some of my earliest memories during the Millennium Celebration at Epcot. If you haven't heard that story, you can learn all about it right here in this video: 

But really, my relationship with Disney goes even further back. I took my very first trip to Walt Disney World when I was 15 months old, and I went on another trip a year later. In fact, previous to the Millennium, I went a few times, visiting in October of 1996 and 97, and November of 98. My last trips before the Millennium, and really my first experiences with IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, would have been in March and November of 99. I wouldn't be back until a year later in 2000, but by that point it really wouldn't matter anyway. My love of Disney was solidified. 

Of course, there's not a ton I remember from the early days, but I do have quite the fond memories of places like the Imagination Pavilion, especially the music squares in Imageworks, the Boneyard, and the Honey I Shrunk the Kids play area. There was also the car outside the Sci-Fi, Spaceship Earth in general, and the pool at Old Key West. Really, you name it and I probably spent a good amount of time there. 

So really, my love of Disney started as typically as you can imagine. My parents loved going to WDW and took me along, and as I grew older it was just something I was used to. Disney became a part of my life just like my house or school did, and even from an early age I was quick to call it home. 

In other words, yes, my love of Disney really did start with the Millennium Celebration because that's what I can remember best, but the foundation was already there, just waiting for me to build upon as we entered a new millennium. 

Share your early Disney stories in the comments below! 

Have a magical day!

Day 907: #WDIS4U

A few months ago (has it really been that long already?) I shared the story behind when my love of Disney started, but in typical Disney fashion, I had to make a video to go along with it, and there's a bit extra to the story this time too!

Of course, you can hear the whole story about how my love of Disney really took off with the Millennium Celebration at Epcot in the video below, but I want to know how it started for all of you? I've been a Disney fan as long as I can remember. I've grown up with the company and the parks and I couldn't be more thankful for that. But that's the point of this entire campagin. The reality that each of us have our own individual stories to tell, but with Disney we can come together as one.

See what I did there? Illuminations references for the win.

So watch my story and then let me know how it all started for you in the comments below!

If you're not already following my YouTube channel, be sure to do so and check in every Tuesday for new Trip Vlogs and every Friday for a new Friday Funday video! 

Have a magical day!

Day 849: When Did It Start For You?

One of my favorite portions of the #DisneySide campaign thus far has to be the When Did It Start For You? series. Over the past month or so, Disney has really had a focus on when Disney became a part of our lives, whether we be a cast member, an actress on OUAT like Ginnifer Goodwin or a regular Disney fan sitting at home, blogging on her couch. It takes something that connects all of us and lets us go back to our roots. It allows us to return to those initial moments when we really found we loved Disney, and that's something spectacular.

Now, originally I was going to do a video on my YouTube channel for #WDIS4U, but I haven't had a chance thanks to finals. So instead I figured I would share my story here, on my blog, because after a lot of debate, I think I really have finally narrowed it down to when it all really, truly started for me.

As many of you know well, I love music. I've always loved music. My family has always really encouraged my brother and I to play instruments and sing and be active in ensembles. I started playing the oboe during the summer before 5th grade, and during my freshman year of high school I picked up the saxophone, which is what I play now as a music performance major in college.

However, I think my love of Disney really took off when I was around 4 years old. Like music, Disney has, obviously, been a huge part of my life. My parents both went to Walt Disney World before they met, they went after they met, they went there on their Honeymoon, and when I was 15 months old, they took me for my first trip.

When I was 4 though, the Millennium Celebration started at Epcot. Many of my earliest Disney memories occurred that year. I remember taking pictures for Leave-A-Legacy and the giant celebration building that had a snowman with real snow and the Tapestry of Nations Parade with te puppets that were way taller than I was. One of them leaned down to shake my hand once and I hid behind my Dad, but the puppet-master waited a minute and after I reached out to shake the puppet's hand, I didn't stop talking about it for the rest of the night.

But what really had an impact on me was Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. We had this tape with the music from the show that my parents would put on every time we would drive somewhere, even if it was just the five minutes to town.We still have the original tape, but I'm pretty sure I listened to it so many times that it's long since worn out and we had to upgrade to a CD.

The music from throughout Disney Parks all across the world, Illuminations and the music of the Millennium Celebration included, has inspired me every single day, whether it be in the practice rooms, in a music theory class, in a parade block, or out on stage performing. I definitely still listen to Illuminations: Reflections of Earth on a regular basis, sometimes when I'm happy, sometimes when I'm sad, sometimes when I'm angry, and especially when I'm driving somewhere.

That's when it started for me.

When did it start for you? Let me know in the comments below or share your story with the world by using #WDIS4U!

Have a magical day!