One of the things I've learned since starting Sideshow Knitting is that creativity doesn't always happen while I'm sitting at my loom. Sometimes it begins long before the first stitch.
Recently, my wife and I took a trip to Walt Disney World. It was a chance to celebrate my birthday—our EPCOT day happened to fall on the big day—and to get an early start on celebrating our upcoming ten-year wedding anniversary. It was the perfect excuse to step away from everyday life for a few days and simply enjoy being together.
Like many small business owners, stepping away isn't always easy. There are products to make, ideas to chase, and that little voice in the back of your mind wondering if you should be working instead of relaxing. Before we left, I put Sideshow Knitting into vacation mode and promised myself I'd be present for the trip. Looking back, it was exactly what I needed.
We stayed at Disney's Pop Century Resort, and one of my favorite parts of the entire experience ended up being something many people probably overlook: the Disney Skyliner. After spending all day walking through the parks, there's something incredibly relaxing about boarding your own gondola instead of squeezing onto a crowded bus with dozens of other tired guests. Most evenings it was just my wife and me enjoying the breeze, reflecting on our day as we floated back to the resort. Those quiet rides became one of my favorite memories of the trip.
Over the course of our vacation we visited Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, and EPCOT. While each park has its own personality, EPCOT quickly became my favorite. Maybe it was because it was my birthday, but I also love wandering through World Showcase and experiencing the architecture, music, food, and atmosphere of each country. Every pavilion feels like its own little story.
Ironically, the most meaningful moment of the trip wasn't tied to an attraction at all. Last December, my wife and I visited Disney World with our daughter. At the time, I was significantly heavier, and I remember struggling to make my way through World Showcase. I couldn't comfortably walk the entire loop, and physically I just wasn't able to experience the park the way I wanted to. This trip was completely different.
Roughly six months and seventy-five pounds later, I walked the entire park, completed the full World Showcase stroll, and felt better than I had the previous visit. It wasn't something I had planned to think about, but standing there made me realize just how much life can change in a relatively short amount of time. Progress often happens so gradually that we don't notice it until we're suddenly able to do something that once felt impossible. That moment stayed with me for the rest of the trip.
As much as I tried to take a break from work, I also realized something else: the maker part of my brain never really clocks out. Everywhere I looked, I found myself noticing details. Not just the attractions, but the colors, the textures, the atmosphere, and the incredible variety of products available throughout the parks. Of course Disney offers the classics—shirts, plushes, and pins—but I was fascinated by the sheer range of items people could choose from. Magnets, keychains, home décor, collectibles, kitchen items, artwork... there was something for nearly everyone. It reminded me that people connect with businesses in different ways. Not every customer is looking for the same thing, and offering variety allows more people to discover something that feels like it was made just for them. That idea has been lingering in my mind ever since we came home.
I also caught myself imagining how certain Disney-inspired color palettes might translate into future Sideshow Knitting projects. It wasn't about recreating Disney products—it was about noticing combinations of colors and the emotions they created. Inspiration has a funny way of appearing when you aren't actively searching for it.
If you happened to see my social media posts during the trip, you probably noticed that I brought a Sideshow Knitting sticker along with me. I thought it would be fun to place something I had created in one of the most recognizable places in the world. It made for some unique photos, but more importantly, it reminded me that this little business is part of my journey wherever I go. Even while taking a break, Sideshow Knitting wasn't left behind—it simply came along for the adventure.
One question I get asked fairly often is what someone should do on their first Disney trip. Honestly, I don't think there's one right answer. Every visit is different because every person is different. This time, my wife and I leaned into nostalgia. Other trips have been about experiencing new attractions or seeing what's changed. My advice is always the same: figure out what excites you most and build your trip around that. There's no wrong way to experience a place that's designed to spark imagination.
Coming home, I realized I had packed more than souvenirs.
I came home with new ideas. New motivation. A renewed appreciation for taking breaks. Most of all, I came home excited to create again. In fact, it didn't take long after unpacking before I found myself sitting back down at the loom, eager to cast on another project.
Sometimes the most productive thing we can do as creatives is give ourselves permission to step away. Because while the knitting needles may stay home for a few days, inspiration has a way of following us wherever we go. And sometimes, it just happens to be waiting at the Most Magical Place on Earth.