August
14,
2014
In 2010 I
decided to pursue my dream of
living near Walt Disney World.
When I made this dream a reality
I made a promise to the Brent
that lived in Wisconsin all
those years. It was a simple
promise, but at the same time,
quite complex as well: I would
go to Disney every day I
possibly could.
My theory has
always been, if I live so close
to a place where millions of
people save their money for
years for, why wouldn't I go
every day? I decided to attempt
to visit a Disney park every day
for an entire year. There was
one tricky thing about
accomplishing this: every August
my family holds an annual
badminton tournament (as all
families do...ok, just mine, but
still).
So in August of
2010, I went home for two weeks
and at the start of September my
year began. Unfortunately, a few
months later my grandfather
passed away putting the year
long dream on hold for a year.
August 2011 came around, and
once again I set forth on going
to Disney every single day, but
towards the end of the year a
friend asked me to help them
move. Unfortunately, they
decided to move during a slower
time at the parks, which caused
the parks to close up early.
This naturally, put my dream on
hold once again since I missed
entering the parks by mere
minutes.
Entering the park for my 365th
day
In August of
2012 I could taste victory on
the horizon. The next 365 days
would finally be mine.
Unfortunately, another death in
the family struck and since
family always comes first, I had
to put the dream on hold for a
little while longer.
While August,
2013 approached, I felt like the
year could finally be there. The
pursuit of 365 days just may
happen. At the beginning of the
month, my brother somehow
convinced his now wife to spend
the rest of her life with him
(not sure how he pulled that one
off) and the following week I
went on an Adventures by Disney
trip. My goal was set. I knew I
could accomplish the year long
journey and have it begin on my
Adventures by Disney trip in
Disneyland.
Some friends of mine made signs
for the special occasion!
Unfortunately,
my flight on August 13, 2013
ended up being delayed. The
flight was so early in the
morning that I didn't have a
chance to go to Disneyland in
the morning and unfortunately
the plane didn't land until half
an hour before the Magic Kingdom
closed. I had a feeling my dream
of 365 days may have to be put
on the backburner once again.
One year ago
today, August 14, 2013, I went
to the Magic Kingdom and hoped
deep down it would be my first
day on a year long journey.
Throughout the year I met new
friends and went on new
adventures all the while making
sure I went to Disney at least
once a day in order to do at
least one attraction.
The streak
continued throughout the year
and then in February my family
came down and there was a lot of
talk about when our annual
badminton tournament would take
place. When the idea began to
form that it should take place
at the start of August I quickly
intervened asking one small
favor. I just wanted the Golden
Shuttlecock Tournament: Quest
for the Dodge Cup (our official
name for the tournament) to take
place after August 14, 2014 so I
could complete my 365 days.
Shirt made for me by my friends
at Design a Tee
They obliged!
The rest of the year went by
with no bumps in the road and
here I am sitting at the finish
line. Today was my 366th
consecutive day at Disney. Why
did I do this? Honestly, why
wouldn't I? It's everyone's
dream to be at their happy place
every day and that's exactly
what I've done for the past 366
days.
My 365th day was
quite possibly the best day of
all. Some of my friends made me
a t-shirt featuring Scrooge
McDuck (my favorite character)
and a Cast Member even gave me a
No Strings Attached card to pick
out a t-shirt to help celebrate
the momentous occasion! I think
the thing that made it the most
special, however, was the love
and support I've received from
family, friends, and people who
follow me online. This year has
been an amazing one and I will
take a lot away from it, but the
most important thing I have
taken away is the line I use to
end my podcast every week:
"Anything can happen if you let
it!"
Watching the parade on the 365th
day!