Some of my fondest memories at my grandparents’ home centered on the same Disney Sing Along VHS tape. The blue owl would dash down the branch into the tiny tree house school and invite me to sing all of my favorite songs. My only childhood exposure to Disney was through this video, which featured the park.

Before I vacationed in their resorts, I grew less interested in all things Disney. As time passed, I moved on from childhood favorites to keep up with current trends. It wasn’t until I became an adult that I understood the joy of playfulness, regardless of age. I stopped judging myself and relearned how to enjoy things that made me smile as a child, like Disney movies.

It helped that my wife grew up a huge fan and didn’t care about the judgment of others. Our upbringings differed in our experiences with going to Disney World. She went every year from the ages of five to twelve. The endless stories she shared about her vacations with her grandma sparked my interest in the scenes I saw as a kid. We started watching YouTube videos about the four parks in Orlando, and I got hooked on the idea of a visit.

Did I fit the target demographic for Mickey Mouse and his friends? No way. Despite this, I embarked on a journey to rediscover the simple joys of my childhood. I needed to determine whether it met my expectations. Our dream vacation was booked in December 2016. Months ahead, we made our reservations. This gave us time to pay it off so we could return with no debt and plan the perfect getaway.

Excitement filled us as the morning of our flight arrived. Time crawled at the airport. A Christmas-morning-like energy filled the air as we waited to board. Our magical week began after a delayed flight.

Back then, Disney offered bus transport from the hub where you landed. My first view of the entryway was an exciting one. My wife referred to this as “the Disney bubble.” The outside world disappears once you pass this threshold. Pleasant Floridian weather and a burgeoning imagination, all else faded from importance.

We explored all four entertainment properties throughout our visit. The possibilities seemed endless for fun the entire stay. The trip reminded us of simpler times in our childhoods when we were free from responsibility and angst. Our enjoyment of every moment mirrored that of children. These joyful experiences led us to one of the most important moments in our lives. My wife proposed to me in front of Cinderella’s Castle. A normally quiet person, she boldly proposed to me in the park in front of many onlookers. I replied with a gleeful yes, and the magic continued. Our attendance in the park was the imaginative inspiration we needed to get engaged in our truest forms.

Our vacation held many magical memories and lessons from that week. It’s easy to get lost in the noise of life as an adult. Life without imagination can be hard. I learned that fun does not have an expiration date; it’s limitless. The ability to tap into the playfulness of our world broadened my experience. I went on this trip excited for fun and left with a healed inner child I didn’t realize I needed.

Walt Disney created the park to cater to visitors of all ages, from eight to eighty. My adventure that year helped me build on positive experiences and nurture my youthful spirit, allowing me to continue pursuing ambitious goals.

Editor: Lucy Cafiero