Okay. Here it goes. Confession Time.

That title is totally ominous. I know. But, trust me that what you are just a few lines away from learning about your favorite writer isn’t nearly as bad as I make it sound.

So what is my confession?

I’m a Disney-Addict. I’m probably more of a closet Disney-Addict than a in your face, everything in the house is mouse ears kind of Disney-Addict.

I was one of the lucky ones. Born into a Disney-Addict family, I enjoyed family vacations there ever few years. I can still remember my stomach in knots like Christmas Morning, excited to see the best place on Earth.

I don’t remember much of my first visit. We have the family photo album and sure enough there I am in a stroller. That said, I remember something from each of the other times, more and more comes back the more I think on it. I even have dreams about going there. I dream about being on my favorite attractions.

I’m telling you, heaven will be a great big Disney World. At least, mine would be and I know many others who feel the same. Those who think I’m strange–I regard those who don’t like Disney as having something wrong with them, much like I regard those who don’t like dogs.

If only…If only Disney would let me bring Sadie Sue Shagbottom with me, into the park and onto the rides. She’d have such a good time! We could hare a turkey leg! Alas, no dogs allowed. Not even sure I’ve even seen a service dog inside the parks.

So what are my favorites?

What Disney World Orland are the only parks I have been able to attend. My favorite rides are The Haunted Mansion (please put my urn there) and EPCOT’s Original Journey into Imagination (I was part of the petition that got that monstrosity that nearly destroyed Figment replaced. We’re still not satisfied, but Disney isn’t budging).

I miss the rides that have been closed down and replaced by other rides, such as Mr. Toad, Delta Dream Flight, Horizons, 20,000 Leagues and so on. <<Sigh>>

Walt’s vision was to expand the parks, not dismantle the creations he put in them. I’m always confounded when a ride is done away with, instead of gently and creatively updated. Disney is so much better than that. The Eisner years just were not good to the company. Eisner was more focused on milking the name for everything it had and nearly destroyed what it meant to be Disney. The company is still recuperating, but already we’re seeing signs of growth that should be amazing. Now, if only we could convince them to stop dismantling Norway and return Imagination to it’s heyday.

How about it, guys? Can we have those awesome old rides back? Expand beyond the track that’s been laid and make more attractions, they will come.

Someday. In Heaven.