Magic

Do you believe in magic? I do. Not the kind of “Harry Potter” supernatural magic and not the sleight-of-hand tricks from a magician. But magic as a special feeling, or, as my computer dictionary says - “a quality that makes something seem removed from everyday life, especially in a way that gives delight.” For me, Disney World has that magical quality.

I’ve been trying to decide which of the four theme parks I liked the best. I’ve decided, however, that they are all so different it’s impossible to choose.

I was initially most excited to go to Animal Kingdom. I love animals and knew they had an African safari. After being on safari in South Africa I was eager to share this experience with the rest of my family. I found that Disney puts their own take on the safari - it’s basically a jeep ride through the African animals exhibit with an added storyline narration about poachers stealing a baby elephant (very corny). It was nice to see all the animals - elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, hippos, rhinos, and even the tip of a sleeping lion’s head way up on a rock - but I left Animal Kingdom realizing it was just a really expensive zoo. I even found out that all the animals in the safari exhibit are housed in buildings at night. After the park closes, they’re all brought back to their “houses.” The “magic” of Disney - making the safari seem real. I enjoyed the time at Animal Kingdom, but I don’t think I’d go back to Disney just for that park.

Hollywood Studios is all about magic - the magic of movies. I found this park exciting because of all the energy. There were lots of shows - a stunt show, studio back lot tour, American Idol show, High School Musical show, and a number of others that we couldn’t fit in during our single day there. We also enjoyed a parade featuring the characters from Pixar movies. Seeing these larger-than-life make-believe characters added to the magical feeling. I left this park wishing we had another day to spend here.

I didn’t spend enough time at Epcot Center to really experience this park. I was only there for a couple hours one morning when it first opened before I met the rest of my family at another park. It was New Year’s Eve and they were getting ready for the big celebration that evening as well as taking down everything from the Christmas celebration that ended the night before. So I just walked around enjoying the beautiful landscaping and flowers (remember, I had just left snowy Michigan - it was wonderful to see the green!). I did sense a little feeling of magic in the World Showcase area seeing all the pavilions representing the various countries and cultures.

But, for me, walking into the Magic Kingdom was truly magical. We saved this park for last, and I’m so glad we did. Magic Kingdom is so different from the other theme parks - it is truly magical. When I first turned the corner and saw Cinderella’s castle shimmering in the sunlight, I instantly felt like a little girl again with hopes, dreams, and wishes for living “happily ever after.” All throughout the day, whenever we walked past the castle, I just couldn’t stop staring at it. It’s beautiful. It’s magical. It’s filled with possibilities. Maybe it’s because of my nostalgia and growing up with the “Wonderful World of Disney” TV show and fairy tales, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this park. We saw parts of several shows and parades featuring the typical Disney characters - Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. But while I loved reading about all the princesses when I was growing up, I realized now how boring their lives would actually be if they really spent all their days dancing with the prince in a parade or a show and never actually getting out and living.

I truly enjoyed the “magic” of Disney World - the temporary removal from everyday life for a few days. At the beginning of the week I thought about how nice it would be to just stay there - no real worries or problems, everyone working to make life easier and happy for me. But by the end of the week I was ready to return home to my real life - where I belong and can hopefully make a difference in the lives of others.

Although I still love the picture of Cinderella’s castle.