I’m not sure if it was the many different types of characters, the music, or the Mickey I was in love with–but it was a strong enough love that I watched it on repeat.

Fantasia was often the answer to my parents prayers when I couldn’t fall asleep. I was immediately silenced as I watched the little mouse with the pointy hat magically mop the floor. I would grow eager with Mickey as he tried to fulfill his dream of being a sorcerer. My eyes would grow wide as the evil horned creature’s darkness would creep over the small village, the music growing with the intensity.  Finally a light hearted part where I could giggle at the ballerina falling in love with the handsome soldier, the music having a flowy feeling.

And then somehow Mickey would know I needed to go to bed. The softest music would begin as he continued his sorcerer journey, my eyes growing heavy. The next thing I knew I would be awake in the morning ready to watch it again. On repeat it would go until my parents would try to put me to bed again–and of course the cycle repeated.