What’s This? 3 Ways Disney and Holiday Magic Are the Same

Since the tinsel comes out on November 1st these days, the holiday season is already well under way. Sadly, we are spring visitors to Disney World and all of the Christmas trappings at the parks are only experienced by us via Instagram. However, how I feel in the parks is very similar to how I feel during the holiday season. Walking through the gates of Magic Kingdom under the warm Florida sun? Feels the same as walking in from the cold through the door of a cozy house all decorated for the holidays.

The holidays are full of wonder and magic, spending time with family and friends and making new memories. Sound familiar? Substitute “the holidays” with “Disney World” and I think you see where I’m going here.  After all, isn’t Santa Claus the original meet and greet? 

There are so many ways that Disney Magic and Holiday Magic hit the same heartstrings, but here are the top 3 ways I think Disney and holiday magic are the same.

The Wonder

a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable. (Oxford Dictionary)

The wide-eyed wonder of childhood is Disney World’s calling card. The larger than life characters at the Art of Animation resort? The bioluminescent world of Pandora at night? Flying over the great wonders of the world? The  face of a little girl when she meets her favorite princess? It’s all part of the wonder, people.

While a lot of pretty awful stuff is going on in the world, witnessing that kind of wonder is uplifting. That we are still capable of that kind of wonder is reassuring. Isn’t that what happens at the holidays as well? Even when all that togetherness, present buying and crazy scheduling gets to us, we can still experience a little of that holiday wonder underneath it all.

The Memories

something remembered from the past; a recollection. (Oxford Dictionary)

Making memories with family and friends is a staple of the holidays as well as trips to Disney World. While we are a small group of 3 in the parks, we are constantly making memories. I appreciate the special bond that my sister is building with my son. I love that we have inside jokes and catch phrases that we have developed over the years during our visits.

Making each other laugh until we can’t breathe. Posing for PhotoPass like bosses. The trip photo collage magnets and pictures that my sister makes every year for us. These are the memories that each of us has of one another. No matter when we get together we are always reminiscing about something that happened at the parks.

The Traditions

longstanding customs and practices (Vocabulary.com)

Just like family holiday traditions, we have our traditions at Disney World. I wasn’t always a “Disney Person,” but it didn’t take too many visits for me, my son and my sister to develop our own park traditions. I love to take sneaky pictures of my kid when he is in his own Disney bubble at the parks. Catching those quieter moments when he is taking it all in really captures the experience.

Like most folks, we always take pictures in front of Cinderella’s castle.

We always have our post Flight of Passage Night Blossom drink. Mickey shaped Rice krispie treats are a must at least once during our trips. Have I even been to Disney World if I haven’t eaten the caramel popcorn from the German Pavilion? I think not!

Wonder, memories and tradition are just 3 of the ways that Disney and Holiday magic are the same for us. Making memories and celebrating with traditions in the most magical place on earth can mean Adventureland or in front of my sister’s woodstove. Both Disney and the holidays offer up a little hope and tend to, for the most part, bring out the best in us all.

From the “magic” of the parks to that neighbor that goes ALL OUT with the decorations, I’m all for it! Every time I am in Magic Kingdom after dark and all of the little twinkle lights in the hub area trees come on, it reminds me of Christmas. Doesn’t matter if it’s 700% humidity.

I think Jack Skellington (and Danny Elfman) said it best:

What’s This?
The monsters are all missing
And the nightmares can’t be found
And in their place there seems
To be good feeling all around

“What’s This” from The Nightmare Before Christmas