I am a rising Junior economics major from Simpsonville, South Carolina, which is just 40 minutes from Furman's campus. As a Disney fan with a budding interest in math, the Math and the Mouse trip stood out to me from Freshman year. The chance to apply math to real world problems, rather than just solving equations in a classroom, appealed to me instantly. And getting to spend three weeks in the happiest place on earth to boot? Sold.
I inherited my love of Disney from my older sister, so I've been a Disney lover practically from birth. Though I used to swear by Ariel and her fiery hair as my favorite princess, I must now admit that my favorite changes every day. Though I can't help but admire Tiana's tireless work ethic, especially when finals come around! I was lucky enough to get to visit Disney several times as a kid, and my love for the parks has only grown now that I'm tall enough to ride the "big kid rides". This trip offers the unique experience to not just ride the rides and explore Disney as a tourist, but to get down to the roots of what makes Disney tick. I'm someone who loves to face challenges and ask the question: How does it work? How does Disney keep its biggest attractions from being woefully overcrowded? How do you find the fastest route through the parks? How do you design a roller-coaster so that it is both fun and safe? Getting to answer questions like these will bring me intellectual joy beyond what a simple trip to Disney could bring, and I am very excited that Math and the Mouse gives me the opportunity to combine both.
Favorite Disney Restaurants:
If I could eat at only one place while at Disney, it would have to be the Rainforest Cafe. I haven't been there in over a decade, and honestly couldn't even tell you what their food specialty is - I have a vague memory of a children's cheeseburger. It was always the place my mom would take us for our special Disney meal. The dimly lit atmosphere, with giant automated animals making wild sounds at sporadic intervals, was just scary enough as a kid to make the whole experience feel like an adventure. It felt like I was really diving into the rainforest, even though I knew sunny Orlando was waiting just outside the doors. My other favorite food places are all in the World Showcase portion of Epcot. I'll forever remember my first experience with fish and chips - now one of my favorite meals - at Yorkshire County Fish Shop. And it's always fun to visit places like Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie, where I can practice my french a bit while getting to enjoy a delicious piece of pain au chocolat.
Favorite Disney Attractions:
Two words: Space Mountain. With its twisting turns through starry, dark rooms, it has been my favorite ride since I was little, when my ultimate adult aspiration was to become an astronaut. Though I've still yet to make it to Mars, I'm satisfied with the fact that I get to ride Space Mountain and get a taste of the galaxy. For Tower of Terror and I, it was love at first plunge. As I'd been in one too many rickety elevators in my life, I was terrified by the premise at first, but I squashed my fear and gave the ride a chance, and found that it is one of my favorite rides of all time. I also love the safari adventure in Animal Kingdom. One of my favorite childhood memories is sitting on my dad's lap as I saw zebras for the first time. To this day, I still love safaris, and I look forward to getting to ride through the Animal Kingdom's savannah once more!
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