Disney has always been this magical place of wonder and joy that every kid dreams of visiting with their family. As a kid, I was no different. I dreamed of seeing Cinderella’s castle while eating those sweet Micky Mouse treats under the shade on a hot day.

My parents waited to take me to Disney. They didn’t want me running around like most toddlers and getting lost. So when I was 12, they surprised my brother and I with a trip to Disney World. This would also get to be my first time flying in an airplane.

The airport was very interesting to observe, as everybody there was either on some business trip and looked very focused or a family looking to get away for the summer. It was a massive building with this grotesque and modern architecture with diverse shops with many assorted foods from all different cultures.

It was the morning, however, and we were all very tired, especially since we had to wait another 3 hours for our flight to leave because my mother likes to get places early… like really early. 

Once we were on the plane, everything felt so surreal since the only times I’ve seen what airplanes are, like is in the movies. I got a window seat to watch out the window as we departed from the runway and into the air. 

Everything on Earth looked so small, putting into perspective how large our World is compared to the miniature buildings built on top of its crust.

My most memorable moment on the plane was the free graham crackers that they were handing out to everybody. It wasn’t a lot, only about 2 or 3 crackers, but it tasted so good because it was just a special moment at that period in time.

Once we had landed, the Orlando airport was even more crowded than the one back home in Philadelphia. Constant reminders of the ever-so-infamous Disney World are plastered throughout the airport walls. Loud music was playing from every direction, and the laughter of rambunctious children pierced my ears.

Once we got into our hotel, I was once again stunned by the modern architecture throughout the building. While it wasn’t one of Disney’s hotels, it was still unfathomable to witness.

Such a different lifestyle from what I was used to in Perkasie, with big buildings around the resort, palm trees, and warm, crisp air. We wouldn’t spend too much time in the hotel, as the main attraction had yet to come. 

Our first stop on the trip was Magic Kingdom, the most notorious park of them all. “Welcome to Magic Kingdom,” the loudspeaker shouts out. The enormous, gargantuan castle that stood at the park's center was breathtaking. And the constant pace of action, fun, and laughter surrounded it like a blanket keeping Disney’s values true.

Every ride that we went on was so much fun. Each with flashy lights and loud music to go with the ride as you enjoy the 3 minutes of thrill. That’s the major drawback to Disney though; the lines are so excruciatingly long. Some of the rides required that you wait an hour and a half to get on it, and that was even using the fast pass. Not to mention you have been walking all day, and it's 90 degrees or more outside. 

They were, however, selling these electronic spray bottles that would spritz you with water and turn on a fan whenever you felt hot. But that, too, would heat up and spritz out lukewarm water instead of the ice-cold water that was in there before.

Despite the heat and the long lines, I was having the time of my life at Disney World. I was surrounded by all of my favorite characters, and I felt like I was living in a fairytale. There was something so magical about the place that made me forget about all my worries and just enjoy the moment.

One of the most memorable experiences I had at Disney World was meeting my favorite character, Mickey Mouse. I had been waiting in line for over an hour to get a picture with him, but when it was finally my turn, I couldn't contain my excitement.

I ran up to him and gave him a big hug, and he even signed my autograph book. It was a moment I would never forget.

Another highlight of the trip was getting to try all of the different foods at the park. From Dole Whip to churros, there was always something new and delicious. The vast amount of diners and restaurants located within the park allows for a new bite to eat at every meal.

My personal favorite was the Mickey Mouse-shaped pretzel, which was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I ate about five of them during the trip!