I just barely passed the one-year mark with the date I left cold NY to move down to sunny Florida to work for Mickey Mouse and have the experience of a lifetime.
It definitely wasn’t easy living on my own and having to deal with a few real rough spots. But my experiences working in Orlando changed my life and gave me new perspective and gratitude.

I miss Disney World every day.

I miss the music, the smells, the cast members, the rides, the sunshine, the BATHROOMS. Post Disney Depression is a real thing. But Post Disney Depression also just makes me realize how much I loved it there, and how I am just so immensely grateful for my time spent working for Mickey Mouse. Seasonal depression mixed with missing Disney is a harsh mix, but I’ve never felt so nostalgic and grateful for something in my life.

When I had a bad day, I would go to the parks by myself and walk around and just observe and enjoy the atmosphere. Magic Kingdom was my go-to, and if I wanted, I could just buy some soft serve ice cream and sit on a bench and watch the Dapper Dans sing and dance for guests and share their radiant smiles. I could just ride haunted mansion and immerse myself in the story of it. I could ride Space Mountain and feel tears fly across my cheeks as the wind blew in my face. Disney was solace for me. It was home. And a piece of my heart is there in the Magic Kingdom.

I miss you Disney. I’ll be back again soon. So like Mickey himself says, “See ya real soon!”

(P.S. that necklace isn’t a crown, it’s supposed to be a necklace I own irl that’s an emblem of the Disney Castle. I wear that necklace almost every day)