Park Love Ink | Disney Love is Permanent

Welcome to Park Love Ink. My name is Katy and I am just beginning. I have 3 great loves in my life. My family, creating, and Disneyland. Not Disney. Disneyland. This is an important distinction. The moniker “Disney Adult” has never felt right. I am not a whore for all things Disney. I am however, an absolute cheap drunk when it comes to the magic of Disneyland.  I am a purist. Disney World is cool. It is in many ways (literally) bigger than and (subjectively speaking) better than Disneyland. But theatre people will understand this. Disneyland is opening night energy, and Disney World is second show slump. Still magnificent. But if you are able to compare the two shows, there is a peak energy that can’t be compared when you walk through the gates of the land. My attachment is to the land itself. As a proud Californian, I have relished being raised so close to the place that has lit me up since I was a child. Not the characters, although delightful. Not a specific ride, although a blast. My attachment is to the bricks on Main Street, the muggy air in Adventureland, and the smell of Disneyland popcorn that cannot be duplicated. 

When it comes to my great loves Disney is third in line. It wouldn’t make sense to put it in front of my very satisfying artistic career, or of course, the indescribable, almost painful love I have for my wife and boys. But I will say that Disneyland plays a significant role in these as well.  My wife, a proud Masshole was raised going to WDW and it only took one trip to the original for her to feel the magic. It became our playground before kids and I can say with certainty we are raising our boys with the same love. As for my career, I have had the privilege of teaching and directing theatre in an inner-city school for the past 17 years. My time spent in Disneyland is woven into who I am, what I produce, and how I show up in the world. 

This is not a pastel thing. I’m not that Disney mom. Do I appreciate a nice athleasure fit and an iced coffee? Absolutely. But the energy I love is not one of ride optimization, it’s the energy of Walt pacing through the orange grove with his undeniable “if-you-build-it-they-will-come-A-F.”energy. If you know the clip, welcome. Let’s go.