A Neurotic Disney Mom’s mission in life is to indoctrinate her family into Disney culture and nurture a compulsive fascination towards the Disney brand. She lives to see her children develop a love for Mickey that is independent of her. She breathes to witness her partner light up at the mention of a Disney vacation. She exists to fill her home with pixie dust. This month’s Neurotic Disney Person of the Month not only does these things but takes this mission to a level of which even the fiercest NDM must stand in awe. Meet Scarlett L., Neurotic Disney Mom #259.
Scarlett “grew up Disney.” Living in Southern California, she visited Disneyland 3-5 times per year for 3-5 days on each trip. Naturally, she felt that her great attendance record alone put her in the “hardcore” category, so when–as an adult–her fiance suggested that they move to Florida, she agreed under one condition. She wanted an Annual Pass to Walt Disney World.
Scarlett and her fiance moved to sunny Florida in September of 2009, and Scarlett ventured into Disney’s online community about the same time. There she was confronted by a harsh reality. While she had once believed that merely showing her face in a Disney park at a certain frequency garnished her the title of Disney fanatic, she quickly learned that there were others who not only visited the parks but also “channeled” Disney in their everyday life. “These were the real fans,” she expresses as she recalls her thoughts about the social media revelation.
Throwing herself into these new Disney platforms, Scarlett was inspired by the Disney community to which she was exposed. She explains, “Going to the meet-ups, listening to the podcasts, reading the blogs, and tweeting with other Disney fans made me more excited about Disney.” Scarlett used this enhanced level of enthusiasm to drive her family towards a lifestyle that was more Disney-centric, and she continues to feed her obsession by staying closely connected to those that share her passion via social media.
Her Disney neurosis manifests across a broad spectrum of outlets at this stage in life. Her entire iPod is full of Disney music and podcasts. She is a moderator for Lines chat. She maintains a personal blog where she chronicles her journey in attempting to eat at every restaurant on Walt Disney World property. Her home is stocked with Disney movies, plush toys, and pictures on the walls. Her children have almost every outfit currently sold in the Disney parks, and she still maintains an impressive park attendance record by visiting (on average) three times per week. “It’s doesn’t feel obsessive to me,” Scarlett relays. “It’s just life. Our life is just kind of ‘Disney’.”
For this reason, when Scarlett heard of The Disney Driven Life, she ran to her computer as soon as she was able. As she spent hours pouring over countless posts and confessions on the site, her excitement grew. “It felt like ‘coming home’. I knew I’d found my people,” she states.
The numerous pages of admissions in the site’s Confessional are what really hit home with her. After reading the submissions detailing the idiosyncrasies and rituals of other Neurotic Disney People, she felt “called” and knew she wanted her family to be a part of the NDP movement.
A few weeks ago Scarlett demonstrated her devotion to the movement in a very dramatic way. Pregnant with her second child and feeling the onset of labor, she retreated to her social media venues for support from her fellow NDPs. She tweeted throughout her labor and birthing and found her greatest support in the Disney community. Choking back tears, Scarlett tells, “It was really special. My Disney friends were able to share a very special event with me. They were a great support, and–because of Twitter–they were my birthing coach.”
After a seven hour labor, her newborn son, Zinn, made his entrance into this small world. The doctor congratulated her on a successful delivery and told her that all of her walking in the Disney parks was most likely the primary factor for its smooth progression. At 8 lbs. 7 oz. and 19 1/2”, Zinn was a very healthy baby and practically perfect. Scarlett could have felt relief over the fact that all of her hard work had paid off handsomely, but she knew there was just one more thing that needed to be done. Eighteen hours after Zinn took his place in the world, she sent in his NDK request so that he could take his place on the roster. With this submission put in on the very same day as his birth, Zinn claimed the record for youngest NDP to ever be counted.
Passionate about her role as an NDM, Scarlett took Zinn for his first trip to the parks at only 11 days old. Scarlett is determined that he will be at Disney as he reaches his developmental milestones, for her favorite Disney memory centers around this very thing with her other NDK, Malcolm.
It was Malcolm’s very first trip to Walt Disney World at seven months old and Scarlett’s first trip as an adult. Accompanied by her fiance, the small family happily traipsed about the Magic Kingdom. “I’ve always loved being at Disney, but there is nothing like seeing it through your child’s eyes,” Scarlett states as she relays her feelings on that crisp October morning.
Malcolm was enthralled by all the bustle of the park. He especially loved seeing the characters; however, the magic of the day appeared in The Enchanted Tiki Room. The lights dimmed, and the birds awoke. Malcolm’s eyes grew wide. As the music began to play, it was apparent that some pixie dust had fallen into his nappy, and Scarlett watched her little one with curiousity. Much to the delight of his parents, Malcolm felt an urge and stood up in his daddy’s lap. Then–for the first time–he started dancing and singing. Scarlett experienced an incredible sense of parental bliss as she watched her little guy smiling, bouncing, and playfully yelling along with the animatronic birds. Looking at her fiance, she knew they were experiencing the same emotion, for her usually Disney-indifferent partner was just as excited as Malcolm. “It was the first time that Malcolm ever responded that way to something, and it was the first time I ever saw his dad show appreciation for Disney,” Scarlett remembers.
Scarlett, you truly have shown yourself to be a cut above in terms of Neurotic Disney Motherhood. Your diligence to introduce your loved ones to the wonderment of Disney and cultivate unforgettable family memories around it really causes you to stand out. It is safe to say that you have earned the label of “hardcore” Disney fan at this stage, and The Disney Driven Life is honored to give you the title of Neurotic Disney Person for the month of October.
*The NDP of the Month will receive a free premium subscription to TouringPlans.com for comprehensive assistance in vacation planning . If you or someone you know does something noteworthy within the Disney fan community, we hope you will take time to nominate him or her by contacting NDM#1 (putting NDP of the Month in the subject line) for consideration.*
JeniLynn was born and raised in South Florida. Being so close to Walt Disney World, she grew up regularly visiting the Mouse and developed a fascination with the creativity of Disney Parks. Noticing that her happiest moments seemed to always take place in Walt Disney World, JeniLynn began trying to recreate the magic of Disney in her everyday life beginning in her pre-teen years. Adulthood, sixteen years of marriage, and three children later, JeniLynn continues to lead a Disney Driven Life and diligently works to pass her love for Disney on to her husband and children. She has blogged for Touring Plans and been a contributing writer for The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, and she currently co-hosts Orlando Attractions Magazine: The Show; however, her primary focus has always been with the community that has grown around her own site, The Disney Driven Life. Through these venues JeniLynn strives to help other Disney fans stay connected to the brand that has served as a keystone in her family’s life.
I couldn’t be more proud to be a fellow Neurotic Disney Individual today… Scarlett’s connection to all things Disney is magical. Between her almost daily pilgrimages to the parks and her awesome skills as a mom to Malcolm and now Zinn… Makes the rest of us who might say “I’m too tired to go…” seem a bit lethargic.
Way to go Scarlett! I am proud to call you a friend too!