Why the Disney Closures Have Us Down...But Not OUT!
Like most of you, I too have been struggling a bit emotionally due to the abrupt and uncertain changes we're living through right now. Naturally, from a business point of view, it's troubling. Literally all of my eggs are in the Disney basket and the closures have been quite a hit financially. But loss of income isn't what has been bothering me the most.
For all of my life, Walt Disney World has been a constant. Ever operational, enchanting hundreds of thousands of people every single day. Even when not personally visiting, I've lived vicariously through my travel clients. Whether they are experiencing their Disney vacation dreams or pouring over the planning phase and getting over-the-top excited for what's to come, my Disney motor is always running.
The closure of the Walt Disney World Resort brought on by the global covid-19 pandemic has taught me a few things about myself. I've learned that the mere existence of a captivating destination in which the primary function is to spread joy, incite wonder and uplift spirits, has been something my own spirit depends on greatly. It may sound silly to some but, I've been physically and psychologically affected adversely by the sudden and indefinite halt of Disney's theme park operations. My heart has hurt, I've been concerned and incredibly saddened by the sudden loss of this ever present comfort. Perhaps it's incredibly naive, but I never imagined this type of extended cease on operations was conceivable.
For the last ten years, I have leveraged my business around Disney vacations because I am a super-fan. I am the neighborhood crazy Disney lady, the family Disney nut, the fully grown woman who wears Minnie ears. Disney and more specifically Walt Disney World, has somehow in some way, become part of my DNA and without it up and running, I don't feel whole. I'm certain I am sounding crazier with each word I write, but hey this is me and I'm getting to the point.
Whether or not the parks and resorts will eventually reopen is not the question nor the concern. What the Walt Disney World Resort vacation experience will look like, is the troubling unknown for so many of us. For the foreseeable future, it's going to be vastly different than we have ever known. For the safety of the public, things will need to change. Many processes and procedures that we have come to know, understand and get comfortable with, will need be adjusted in accordance with new safety mandates for quite some time. While change can be a hard pill to swallow, I have to remind myself it's neither good or bad, it's simply different.
Through it all though, there is one constant that is immune to any virus, immeasurably stronger and unaffected by any procedural changes. It goes by many names... enchantment, heart, spirit, charm even. But is best and most widely known as the Magic of Disney. The inexplicable joyful aura with a power so great, it's virtually untouchable. It's a belief system. When you believe in the Magic of Disney, you somehow know with conviction, (or a little faith, trust and pixie dust) that everything will be alright. It will be. I believe.
I am still a bit down in the dumps that the "world" is on pause. But as a super fan who has been thriving off of the Disney magic for years, I'm working hard to do my part to keep that feeling alive for as many as I can reach. I cannot wait to return, but until that time, let's keep talking, planning, dreaming, sharing and having fun on social media. Keeping our Disney batteries fully charged in support of our beloved and Most Magical Place on Earth. We aren't fair weather fans. We're all in this together and together we'll see it through!
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