Ruth Madeley had Disney films as an escape when she was dealing with surgeries as a child.
Ruth Madeley and Giovanna Fletcher discussed love for Disney
The 'Years and Years' actress is a massive Disney fan and admitted the movies have always been there to help her with the tough times stemming from her spina bifida diagnosis - which is where a baby's spine and spinal cord does not develop properly in the womb, causing a gap in the spine - six weeks before she was born.
Speaking to Giovanna Fletcher on the Walt Disney Travel Company's 'Journey to the Magic' podcast, she said: "For me, Disney is just pure nostalgia, even the new films, because me and my sister grew up on Disney. There's nothing but good vibes.
"I spent so much of my childhood and teenage years in hospital and Disney films, literally, the night before I knew I was having surgery I would watch a Disney film. It was literally the best kind of distraction and the best feel-good thing for anything.
"Go through break up, Disney film. Having surgery, Disney film. Regular Tuesday night, Disney film. But yeah I think just that sheer feeling of comfort and safety is really nice."
When it comes to Disney Princesses, Ruth has "always" loved Aurora from 'Sleeping Beauty' after being given the nickname herself by an anesthetist following one of her operations.
She added: "He was like, 'Hiya sleeping beauty', before I threw up. Something really un-princess-like but, 'Sleeping Beauty' was always my favourite.
"If I was going to be a Princess, I would be Aurora, but the idea of falling asleep until all your problems go away is lovely! [laughs]"
Ruth is an avid fan of the Disney theme parks too, and her favourite trip was a visit to Walt Disney World Orlando with her boyfriend Joe Lawrence in September 2022, which marked the first time they've been away since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ruth admitted she "could not stop crying" from the moment they stepped foot in the Magic Kingdom, through to the journey home.
She said: "It's really special to me and my boyfriend because I've only ever been to Orlando with him, so it just feels like our place.
"And it is that sense of knowing that access is so easy, everything, I genuinely do not have to worry about anything when I get there. I know all the restaurants are accessible, shops accessible, the rides and all of that with the access pass, which will get onto in a little bit.
"That all helps so so much and it just feels like you don't have to second guess any of that which, as a disabled person, especially as a wheelchair user with a physical disability, I never get that privilege of never having to think about it."
Journey to the Magic, the official podcast of Walt Disney Travel Company, is available to listen from wherever you get your podcasts as well as on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@DisneyUK/videos.
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