We hath returneth from our Disney World vacation where a good time was had by all. It’s an interesting thing, tootling around Disney. For a good while, it seems like this place is Happyville on steroids, everyone waving big and throwing enthusiastic, “Have a Disney kind of day!” to kids and grown-ups alike. Children stand slack jawed trying to decide if roller coasters or endless treats deserve their attention first. No matter which park you go to, the grounds are squeaky clean, the air fragrant with good smells, and the environment alive with boosted color. I’m not immune to the pizazz and feel myself skippity doo dah-ing right along.
But then you start to look – really look – and you see little princes and princesses melting down left and right. You see big people behaving badly. Oh, you also see random acts of kindness and other good things, too. {Why yes, I will take those fast passes you are unable to use. Thank you!} It’s overall a good experience for most. It certainly was for us. But just like anything in life, no matter how perfectly groomed and pristine and friendly the environment, people with too little sleep and too much stress {or sugar?} create less than ideal behavior.
We traveled with good friends, the kind who love you by showing grace when your kids meltdown or when you say something cranky out of exhaustion. And given we walked a million miles and slept little, both things happened on multiple fronts. Still, we only had a couple really weary moments and left the parks each day with bags full of good memories.
Last time we went to Disney, our sons were two, we had no daughter, and I celebrated my 28th birthday. To go exactly ten years later and see it all through our big kids’ eyes was the awesome sauce. And to scream on roller coasters, get soaked on raft rides, and stand in the rain and humidity together was the double awesome sauce. Because whether you’re in Disney World or not, it’s good to leave real life behind for a bit and just have fun together.
And thanks so much to all you who entered my birthday DaySpring giveaway. Congrats to Chambanachick for winning $38 to spend on DaySpring goodies!
chambanachik says:May 25, 2012 at 9:25 am I like you on Facebook.
Chambanachik, look for an email from me ASAP. And may y’all have yourselves a Disney kind of day!
I love your honesty! Vacations and crankiness sort of go hand in hand, don’t they? Yet I am encouraged to hear you bagged so many fantastic memories. We are dreaming of a Disney getaway next year… When our girls are 6 and 3. Too young? I’m not sure. But I do like hearing you took twin toddlers to Disney and had fond enough memories to return a decade later! Three cheers for summer fun, family, and good friends!
Oh not too young at all, Becky! We had a blast when the boys were little and were able to still do tons. We didn’t do many of the super snazzy rides because they weren’t tall enough {although maybe your 6 year old is?} but we saw lots of shows, parades, and took advantage of other rides. This trip was completely different in that we didn’t see many parades or shows but hit most every ride. In short, I think Disney does a good job of providing entertainment for people of all ages. You’ll have a blast, I’m sure!
Thank you so much- I’m thrilled that I won! 🙂
Im just thrilled to run into someone else that just turned 38! I was beginning to feel like an old mama around this blogosphere – but surely not?!!