In my second year at UTM, I took Children’s Literature. One of our assignments was to pick and analyze a fairy tale, so I wrote a short paper on Disney’s version of The Little Mermaid. To this day, it’s my favourite assignment that I’ve had for any class in my four years of undergrad. I make every excuse to bring Disney into my daily life because when it comes to Disney, I’m a complete nerd.
When I say Disney, I mean everything Disney—movies, music, characters, theme parks—I love it all!
It turns out that there is a term for Disney-obsessed people like me: Disnerds. Typically I don’t like these cutesy fandom labels (Beliebers, Directioners, Swifties, etc.), but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a Disnerd, since I fit the definition for it: “Someone who is over the age of seven and is still in love with Prince Charming. A person like this would be able to list every song in every Disney movie. Plus, they will be able to spell SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS.” Guilty as charged!
I’ve been a fan since I was a little girl, but it’s hard to put my love for Disney into words. One of the main reasons I love it so much is because it holds sentimental value. It reminds me of my childhood, when it was more acceptable to look up to Ariel and get emotional over The Lion King. Disney continues to be a source of hope and inspiration in my daily life, even though I’m almost 22 years old. Lots of people outgrow their Disney obsessions by the time they’re 10, but I’ll never feel too old to dress up like Snow White or sing along to “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah”.
For me, Disney has always been a kingdom that encompasses all things happy. When I feel down, all I have to do is put on my playlist of favourite Disney songs and something that can only be described as magical happens. The beginning bars of “Circle of Life” are enough to turn my entire mood around. What bad news? What stress? I’m in a whole new world, people.
Nobody feels sad here.
Another reason Disney is fantastic is because it has something for everyone. Don’t like princesses? Maybe Pirates of the Caribbean is for you. Magic and fairy tales aren’t your thing? Let me tell you about a movie called Remember the Titans. Ever watched The Mighty Ducks or The Santa Clause? Those are Disney too. From cartoons with talking animals to superheroes and stories based on real people, Disney has delivered quality entertainment in a variety of genres and will continue to be my main source of joy for years to come.
I hope I’ve inspired you to dig up your old Winnie the Pooh VHS collection, belt out “When You Wish upon a Star” at the top of your lungs, or Google new attractions at Walt Disney World, because if Peter Pan taught me anything, it’s that you’re never too old to give into imagination or believe in magic.
