MerHearted
Well-Known Member
Ok, so I guess I now have time to elaborate on why Orlando has suddenly become the frontrunner. It's kinda odd because two months ago, it seemed as though all of Orlando's claims fell apart and Anaheim's stood tall. But now it's like Orlando spent those two months drawing up a new plan and dissecting all of Anaheim's points in an effort to make a comeback. And what a comeback! So this is what I've been spending time thinking about lately.
Family: I love my family very much, but I know that I had to leave. It was no longer a question. But I felt so guilty going so far away to California. I'm their only child and I'll just get up and walk out of their lives just like that? It felt so selfish. With Orlando, that changes. I'm in the same time zone and a mere 2.5 hour flight away. We could visit each other, pretty much whenever.
Friends: This is where I believe Anaheim had its greatest strength because two of my closest friends are there and I really wanted to be a part of their lives. I know a lot of people in Orlando but no one that I could call close. But who's to say they can't become that or that I can't meet and make new friends. It's Walt Disney World! It's filled with people just like me, well, not quite like me. Not to mention, I'll probably get to see so many of my Magic friends.
Culture: This really didn't ring with me until Jess told me she didn't see me as the "Cali type". I thought about it and she was right. I'm not a Cali boy. I'm not a surfer. I'm not some guy from the OC. And I really wondered if I could ever fit in there. It was really intimidating thinking about it. I belong with pixies and princesses and pirates (and when that Harry Potter park opens, wizards!)
Hockey: Cali has the Ducks and Kings, but I'm a Penguins fan! And being on the west coast, I dunno if I would ever get to see my beloved Penguins. Cause of the time differences, I really won't see many of their games and they only come to Cali once every 3 years. Being on the east, I can still follow my Penguins religiously. And while Orlando doesn't have a hockey team, Tampa does. The Penguins go to Tampa twice a year. With a 2 hour drive, I can see my beloved Penguins in person.
Disney: I love Disneyland and I will miss it greatly if I don't go to Cali. But hello, bloody friggin Walt Disney World! In the two weeks I was in Cali, I pretty much exhausted everything there was to do in Disneyland. Walt Disney World is so massive and so much goes on throughout the year, I don't see how I could ever exhaust it.
Crime: Spending all my life in Philadelphia, I really wanted to finally escape that world. Anaheim really offered that. Orlando is actually worse than Philly. And though I would like to finally live my life without looking behind me, if anyone knows how to stay out of trouble, it's me.
Money: I believed Florida could never match the money California offered. I was wrong, at least for one place.
Weather: Yeah, Orlando doesn't have an answer to this one. Anaheim is so much nicer. But I guess I can learn to deal with the humidity and if a hurricane comes, well, I'll run.
Cinderella Castle: A month from now will be the 6 year anniversary of my first day at Disney. That day changed my life forever and has affected almost every decision I made regarding my life since. And after all the things I've experienced in this journey, the thought of standing in front of that castle and saying "I'm home" brings such a swelling of joy in my heart and tears to my eyes.
It just feels like I'm getting my hopes up too soon though. If this opportunity falls apart, then Orlando could do the same. I really hope this works out. *crosses fingers*
Family: I love my family very much, but I know that I had to leave. It was no longer a question. But I felt so guilty going so far away to California. I'm their only child and I'll just get up and walk out of their lives just like that? It felt so selfish. With Orlando, that changes. I'm in the same time zone and a mere 2.5 hour flight away. We could visit each other, pretty much whenever.
Friends: This is where I believe Anaheim had its greatest strength because two of my closest friends are there and I really wanted to be a part of their lives. I know a lot of people in Orlando but no one that I could call close. But who's to say they can't become that or that I can't meet and make new friends. It's Walt Disney World! It's filled with people just like me, well, not quite like me. Not to mention, I'll probably get to see so many of my Magic friends.
Culture: This really didn't ring with me until Jess told me she didn't see me as the "Cali type". I thought about it and she was right. I'm not a Cali boy. I'm not a surfer. I'm not some guy from the OC. And I really wondered if I could ever fit in there. It was really intimidating thinking about it. I belong with pixies and princesses and pirates (and when that Harry Potter park opens, wizards!)
Hockey: Cali has the Ducks and Kings, but I'm a Penguins fan! And being on the west coast, I dunno if I would ever get to see my beloved Penguins. Cause of the time differences, I really won't see many of their games and they only come to Cali once every 3 years. Being on the east, I can still follow my Penguins religiously. And while Orlando doesn't have a hockey team, Tampa does. The Penguins go to Tampa twice a year. With a 2 hour drive, I can see my beloved Penguins in person.
Disney: I love Disneyland and I will miss it greatly if I don't go to Cali. But hello, bloody friggin Walt Disney World! In the two weeks I was in Cali, I pretty much exhausted everything there was to do in Disneyland. Walt Disney World is so massive and so much goes on throughout the year, I don't see how I could ever exhaust it.
Crime: Spending all my life in Philadelphia, I really wanted to finally escape that world. Anaheim really offered that. Orlando is actually worse than Philly. And though I would like to finally live my life without looking behind me, if anyone knows how to stay out of trouble, it's me.
Money: I believed Florida could never match the money California offered. I was wrong, at least for one place.
Weather: Yeah, Orlando doesn't have an answer to this one. Anaheim is so much nicer. But I guess I can learn to deal with the humidity and if a hurricane comes, well, I'll run.
Cinderella Castle: A month from now will be the 6 year anniversary of my first day at Disney. That day changed my life forever and has affected almost every decision I made regarding my life since. And after all the things I've experienced in this journey, the thought of standing in front of that castle and saying "I'm home" brings such a swelling of joy in my heart and tears to my eyes.
It just feels like I'm getting my hopes up too soon though. If this opportunity falls apart, then Orlando could do the same. I really hope this works out. *crosses fingers*
