After being at Disney World in Florida for eight days last week, I can honestly say that I missed North Dakota weather. I have always been a lover of wintertime, so hot summers and I do not get along. Even in the “Happiest Place on Earth,” I was not enjoying the beating sun, the sweltering humidity, or the sweating. The bugs are the part I hate most about summer, however. I’ll be happy when I can walk outside and not hit myself in the face as I am swatting away a mosquito or running away in terror from a bee. Everyone has been telling me that I will regret my decision to move to North Dakota once the winter months hit, but I seriously doubt it. I have always loved curling up under a warm blanket with a cup of hot chocolate as the snow falls outside. There is something magical in the air when it snows, like anything is possible. I love sweatshirts and beanies. I love listening to the howl of the cold winter wind late at night. I noticed the temperatures are supposed to start dropping soon, and I cannot wait. Although, I will miss the nice bronze tan I got while in Florida.

Speaking of Florida, for a place that is deemed as the “Happiest Place on Earth,” people sure were miserable. Yes, it’s hot. Yes, it rains every day. Yes, lizards probably will show up randomly in your condo bedroom (as one did in my mom’s). Yes, in order to get on a ride you have to stand in line for two hours in front of someone who really has no idea what personal space is. But come on, people, it’s Disney World! Have some fun. I have never heard so many complaints in my life. I have never seen so many unhappy faces. As much money as it costs to go to Disney World, enjoy every second, no matter what. It’s one of those places that everyone needs to visit at least once in life. Between the food, the characters, the rides, the shows and more, there is something for everyone.

My favorite part of Disney World (besides the roasted almonds) is riding the Tower of Terror. Since my first visit at the age of five, it has been my favorite ride of all time. For those of you who may not know what this ride entails, it is based off of the Twilight Zone’s Hollywood Tower Hotel episode, where five people mysteriously disappear while riding the hotel’s elevator as it is struck by lightning. The ride reenacts this, strapping brave riders into a rickety “service elevator” that drops from 13 stories high over and over and over again. My sister and I always find ourselves nervous before stepping inside the elevator, praying for our lives and pep-talking each other into actually going through with it. We are always glad we did, though. We were also glad we didn’t each lunch right before.

Mavec is a reporter for the Tribune.