Lessons from Disney World
COMMENTARY
Julie Ann Matonis

Walt Disney World was supposed to be my escape.

Instead of worrying about what to do with the rest of my life after graduation, I was going to revert back to my childhood. It was not the most rational or mature plan.

But as much as I tried to leave my daily life behind for a Spring Break trip through Fantasyland, reality lurked at every turn.

You’re never too old to appreciate Disney World. You can get swept up in the magic of parades, music and rides. But now, 15 years after my last visit with Mickey Mouse, I’m ready to declare the following.

I’m officially old.

That revelation didn’t make my trip any less exciting, but I certainly learned some other lessons along the way.

First lesson: To some, I appear to be mother material. As I watched the Bengal tigers at Animal Kingdom, I felt a tiny hand grab mine. When I looked down, I met the eyes of a young blonde girl. She didn’t seem too upset to see a stranger’s face. I, on the other hand, was a little freaked out. At least she didn’t call me mommy.

Second lesson: When riding the Monorail, beware of bald eagles. Sitting in the nose of the Monorail provides the perfect view of the tracks ahead.

Imagine my surprise, and that of my friends, when we spotted a bald eagle sitting on the tracks. Luckily the eagle had quick reflexes and wasn’t squashed by the fast-moving train. What kind of omen would that be to kill a symbol of patriotism in your first 10 minutes at Disney World?

Third lesson: Cell phone users aren’t a danger in vehicles; drivers making balloon animals are. The easiest way to park at Disney World is to take a shuttle. It may not be the safest way. One afternoon, the shuttle driver made balloon animals as he drove back to the hotel. I got a pink poodle.

Thankfully, I also got home alive.

Fourth lesson: Ignoring the news doesn’t make you less aware of impending war. Disney World is a possible terrorist target. It’s a national landmark. A story in USA Today last week reported that lines were shorter in the parks as more people stayed closer to home.

I observed that firsthand. Parking lots weren’t nearly full at the parks and rides for lines didn’t stretch endlessly.

Fifth lesson: If you’re not satisfied, speak up. This is one time I was glad to be an adult. After an awful experience with one hotel chain, I watched my group of friends band together to demand change. It wasn’t just petty grievances, it was serious shortcomings in hotel accommodations for the handicapped. Now that we’ve left Orlando, we’re still trying to make our case by filing complaints with the corporate offices of the hotel.

To conclude with a happy discovery: Mickey Mouse can do the Horned Frog hand sign. That’s one smart mouse — and he didn’t even ask for an explanation.

So maybe my plan didn’t work out the way I wanted, but at least I rediscovered “It’s A Small World” after all.

Co-Opinion Editor Julie Ann Matonis is senior broadcast journalism major from San Antonio.