Let me start off by stating this is not a review of the Inner Mouse video podcast. Although, I do personally think it’s an excellent show that less than halfway through the beta test really hit its stride and ascent to greatness. Rather, the inspiration for this article came from the beta test show family stories told by John, JL, and Scott. And no, this is not my story, I wrote that during my early days of blogging on my own blog site. This is what I believe our “inner mouse” is.
Discovering your “inner mouse” takes more than your love of Disney. It even goes beyond your experiences in the parks and on property, but it starts there. If you get and understand what Disney is all about, then I’m sure you’ve noticed the change that comes about in yourself, your family, and others while you are there. It’s where the magic begins and where your life changes forever.
Whether it’s in the parks, resorts, or Downtown Disney I always feel like I’m at home there. When I’m not at Disney, all I do is think about how and when I can get back there. There isn’t a day that goes by without me thinking of the place I love so dearly. Some people might call it an obsession, but for people who feel the same way about Disney as I do, they know it’s a passion. It’s a driving force inside that can’t be stopped until returning to the happiest place on earth where it’s nurtured and given far greater strength than you ever imagined being possible.
When I step on Disney property there’s a euphoric feeling that overwhelms me and a peacefulness that overcomes me. The stress and worries of everyday life lift off my shoulders. It’s a place where you learn who you are and who you can be. There’s something about Disney that makes the very best person strive to be even better. It’s more than feeling like a kid again or having no worries. It’s learning the right way to live each and every day of your life.
Although Disney is not a religion, it is a way of life. While I can’t speak for anyone else, I can tell you it has shown me how to focus on the positives in my life and the importance of family and friends. It has helped me face and overcome challenges that once seemed impossible. Best of all it has opened the door to life long friendships with people all over the world who also believe in the Disney way of life.
In order to discover your “inner mouse” all you need is hope, faith, a dream, and belief in the almighty mouse! It’s not something that can be taught because it’s something that comes from within. Once you find your “inner mouse” embrace it, and you too will discover a “whole new world.”
When Walt Disney decided to build Disneyland, it was to create a place for families to go together and where every ride, attraction, and show was designed to be enjoyed by guests of all ages. When Disney World was being planned, Walt also had a vision of building a futuristic utopian city called Epcot (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow). It was to be a model society and community of how every person should live. Unfortunately, Walt passed away and his vision of Epcot was never built. Yet somehow I think Walt knows what he envisioned in Epcot lives on in a community of Disney fans. Walt’s dream has brought together a group of caring individuals from all walks of life to form a bond and trust in a community where we now share and bring the magic to each other.
It is our “inner mouse” that makes us and the Disney community what it is today and that is something truly special.
“The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique.” – Walter Elias Disney
(Photo credit: NDM #118)
Contributed by: Stuart S. (NDD #47). Stuart is our resident Disney geek and creator of Disney Geek Dad.
