By Shaene Carson
Some people have had the love for all things mouse from an early age because they grew up watching the Disney Channel, while for others it was magical feeling that they experienced walking into a Disney Theme Park for the first time. In any case, as Walt really wanted it to be, Disney has a way of invoking strong emotions in people. Those emotions lead some to display their love for Disney by getting a tattoo. In this series, we will talk to some of those people who are part of the “inkDisney” family. We want to find out why they love Disney so much and what inspired them to take their love for the Mouse to the next level. This week, we will talk to one of our readers. Her name is Shelley and she is from Virginia!
When did your love for Disney start?
My interest of Disney started as a child, when I was growing up the highlight was Sunday evenings when World of Disney would come on. As I got older my interest was not as intense, but once I had my children I thought it was so adorable to dress my girls in Minnie Mouse outfits/costumes. When I finally was able to visit WDW for my very 1st time in 2005, my life changed. My interest for Disney became a quest to know anything and everything I could, not just the parks, characters but the business. I wanted to know and understand what made Disney so great, and since then I literally live, breath the magic that Disney stands for.
When did you get your tattoo?
I got my first Disney Tattoo in 2007.
How long did it take to complete?
It took maybe 45 minutes.
What inspired you to get your tattoo?
Funny story, I was never a tattoo person, I thought they were stupid, what made me get this one was out of rebellion. Being in the corporate world all of my working career and following the rules and staying within in the lines made me frustrated. Ever Since visiting Disney my spirit wanted to be free to think, come up with my own ideas, so when I was denied by my boss to take a Disney Institute course. I left work so angry and went by my local tattoo shop and asked to get a Mickey Mouse head on my shoulder. I wanted to make my commitment to I was never going to stop enjoying life for the corporate world.
Do you plan to get anymore Disney tattoos?
Right now I currently have 4 Disney theme tattoo’s Mickey Mouse on my Left Shoulder, Minnie on my right Shoulder, Cinderella Castle on my right side and I have Dream and Believe around my ankle with small Mickey Heads, as of getting more I am not sure at this point since I work part-time as a Cast Member in a local Disney Store, and my plan is to work my way up into a Corporate position, I want to be very careful since the Disney Dress code is no visible tattoo’s.
If you would like to be a part of our inkDisney series and share your Disney inspired tattoo with the Disney community, please reach out to us at on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.