Please give a warm WERRRK.com welcome to our newest contributor, my friend, the fabulous Michael Block! Don’t miss his recurring monthly column, “Rope Drop with Michael Block” as he delves into all things Disney in the coming months! Keep up with Michael’s podcast and other work across the web here. ~Chiffon
WE, as gay people, are filled with Pride. Many of us in our community celebrate our history and the brave individuals who have come before us, fighting for our rights. But some of us also celebrate something else. Something we have great pride in. We are the brave individuals who proudly can say: We are Disney Gays! I kid, I kid. Mostly. Disney Gays love Disney so much we go hard. Whether it’s going to Disney every chance we get or watching POV videos of Disney rides around the world on YouTube from the comfort of our home, Disney is on our minds all the time. It’s all because Walt Disney World is the most magical place on Earth!
Let’s get one thing straight. Disneyland is known as “The Happiest Place on Earth.” WDW is known as “The Most Magical Place on Earth.” It’s a minor thing but many flip it around. Disney World certainly makes you happy, but it might be because of the magic in the air! And not just because they pump that pixie dust through the air! Something happens while you’re there.
When it comes to your perfect Disney day, there certainly are those who are dedicated rope droppers. They want to get on those Fancy Rides (thanks for the terminology Mammoth Club!) before anyone. Maybe they’ll take a break in the middle of the day for a nap before heading back into the park. Others, myself included, despite the column’s title, need our beauty sleep. We can’t just wake up and magically turn into a Disney Princess. But if we’re not there in the AM, expect us to stay when the clock strikes midnight!
Once you’re inside the gates, the magic is unleashed. You’re transported into a world only Disney could imagine. Disney has something for everyone. If you’re a foodie, Disney has some of the best snacks and treats you can ever imagine. Love a thrill? Pick a Mountain to ride! With four parks to choose from, there’s something that happens when you begin your adventure. Want to shop? You’ve come to the right place. You just don’t want it to end!
And we’re passionate. Disney fans run into a discourse about just exactly how their adventures should commence. For example, go left. If you’re at Magic Kingdom, the day begins by heading left off of Main Street, USA straight toward Adventure Land. If you’re at EPCOT going to World Showcase to drink around the world, you always start to the left with the Mexico Pavilion. These are just the rules! Just like how the People Mover is required riding. True Disney fans know it’s a must-do. It’s things like this that unite us Disney Adults.
There’s that classic Disney commercial from many moons ago where the two kids are heading to Disney the next day but the little boy giddily says, “I’m too excited to sleep.” That’s us days leading to our trips. Yes, the spontaneity of a Disney trip has waned as you are forced to get your Advanced Dining Reservations, or ADRs, before you head to Orlando. Or you book your Genie+ to ensure you hit all your favorite attractions. But the joy is still there. An itinerary just makes it a little different. And sometimes different is good!
Take for instance the makeover the artist formerly known as Splash Mountain underwent. Different is good. Change is good. But when it comes to change, there are loyalists who are not thrilled their beloved childhood memory of a ride is gone.
But the skeleton is there and the newfound Disney magic is about to inspire a new generation with new memories. Just look at what’s about to happen at Animal Kingdom. It’s about to be a whole other beast! Pun very much intended. RIP Dinoland USA.
Disney is one of those unique pop culture things that gets passed down from generation to generation. It’s a family tradition for many. Many families save money for years just to get a couple days to journey to Orlando, Florida to see Cinderella’s Castle in person. The joy that fills your eyes when you see the train car approaching the station, ready for you to ride. The thrill of waiting for that big finale during the fireworks. The celebration of realizing you never have to grow up while you’re there. Leave all your worries and cares behind.
For those who need an escape, Disney can serve as a chosen family in a sense. We can turn on a favorite Disney flick to bring a smile to our faces. Or maybe be the outlet to give you that big cry you needed. Disney, as a whole, is a safe haven. It’s a place for comfort. Thanks for being a part of my Disney family. Can’t wait to make more magic with you!
Michael Block is a 14 time GLAM Award Nominee, host of Block Talk, and a Senior Reality TV Writer at Collider. If it’s reality tv, he covers it. Proud Disney Gay.
