At the end of our most recent trip to Disney World, we lamented that it may be our last for awhile. My oldest was heading off to college and would have a different spring break than her brother. I refuse to go in the summer or over the holidays, so I begrudgingly accepted the fact that we may not go again for many years.
Many years turned out to be just two and a half years later. The college junior has the longest winter break in the country, and the high school senior can afford to miss a day and a half of school. We just returned from a four and a half day visit, and I am exhausted. Content, but exhausted.
The people watching at Disney is second to none, and as we walked ten plus miles every day, I had plenty of opportunities to reflect on parenthood, life, and human nature.
I watch families with little ones; of course, they are everywhere in Disney. I see adorable kids who play I Spy with their siblings on the monorail. I chat with seven-year-old Reid on the bus as we travel to Animal Kingdom, and I ask him if he likes having three sisters. He says no, he’d rather just have two. Fair enough.
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I see whining kids, screaming kids, laughing kids, sleeping kids. While I find kids like Reid charming, I have absolutely no desire to go back to parenting small children. Sure, the magic is different with young adult kids, but it’s still there. I watch my 17- and 20-year-olds smiling at the little ones we encounter, and imagine what kind of parents they may be someday. Waaay in the future.
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For me, the most magical sound in the world is my child’s gleeful screaming and laughter as she rides behind me on Space Mountain. I’d bottle that sound if I could.
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It pours all day on Sunday, and we slog through the parks in our fashionable ponchos. While the weather sucks, the rain keeps the crowds away, and we hop on rides with ease. It’s all about silver linings.
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They have to each be at least eighty years old, decked out in Disney gear – hats, shirts, vests covered in trading pins. She holds a cane in one hand, the other hand clutching her husband’s arm. The bus lowers to let her on through the handicap door, and I lose sight of them until we are entering the Magic Kingdom. There they are, slowly walking side by side, annual passes swinging from their neck lanyards. My teen wonders what they do at the parks, since they probably don’t go on roller coasters and thrill rides. I think you’re never too old to spend the day at Disney with the person you love.
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I’m making my way through the huge emporium on Main Street, weaving between shoppers. I’m walking towards a father and son, and as I veer slightly to the left to avoid colliding, the man lets out a loud burp directly in my ear. The most magical place on Earth, indeed.
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I run to catch up with my family (I’m always trying to catch up), and when I do, my daughter informs me that I cut off a guy behind me. It is unintentional, and I regret that I did not have the opportunity to apologize. He probably thinks I’m rude.
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As we make our way to the queue to board the Haunted Mansion cars, a group of four woman push ahead of us. I am annoyed at their rudeness, but then I remember accidentally cutting off the guy as I ran to meet my family. Maybe these women didn’t push ahead on purpose; maybe they were being pushed from behind and were struggling to funnel through the crowd. I know what they say about assuming, and decide to give the ladies the benefit of the doubt.
It takes more energy to be angry than it does to be happy. Why expend that extra energy?
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I am currently expending lots of energy trying to not to freeze. Re-entry from vacation is tough enough; re-entry from Florida to a polar vortex is brutal.
Wherever you are, stay warm!
Being in the throes of parenting two young ones, I can understand your appreciation for having two big ones! I think I actually enjoyed my trips to Disney as a teen more than I did as a kid. Though I do look forward to taking the girls there when Liv’s old enough to appreciate it. And I’m sure I will enjoy the people watching just as much as taking them 😉
I’m sure you will! There is something magical about Disney with little ones – exhausting, but magical.
I love your deep thoughts. I have many similar deep thoughts in public places (isn’t that 3 year old cute? No, I don’t want to go back to mothering 3 year olds.)
And I LOVE the sentiment “it takes more energy to be angry than happy.” So true. Thanks Dana! I hope you are rested up by now. (Sorry it took me so long to comment…)
No need to apologize! Yes, we are all rested up now, and ready to plan another vacation 🙂
We went to Disney for our Honeymoon. It was something I always wanted to do but if I had to pick again I’d get married a different month or take a different honeymoon. August was miserable with steamy afternoon thunderstorms. I wore a hat the entire time because my hair was not going to be cute. And it wasn’t really a newlywed kind of place with so many people and SOOOO many kids. What was I thinking. LOL! I love your two photos then and now.
My son was talking about a Disney honeymoon one day, and I told him he should go somewhere else. You’re right – too many kids, and not enough romance.
Glad you had fun in my neighborhood! I’m about 45 minutes from Disney but haven’t yet visited since moving here. You have such an eye for the details, Dana. Your people-watching skills are on point! Reid sounds like the kind of kid I’d like to strike up a conversation with. And the elderly couple… #goals!
Goals indeed! It’s funny, our Uber driver said she’s been back in Orlando for a year or so, and hasn’t stepped foot on Disney property except for picking up fares.
Disney with older kids – such a different perspective! Where does time go though?!?
I really don’t know, Leah. It’s amazing how the kids grow up and we don’t get any older. 😉
OMG to the older couple. How incredibly sweet. That’ll be my brother and his wife. They go all the time — did before kids and I’m sure they will once their daughter is grown. I hope they’ll be able to take their grandkids. So glad you had a nice warm vacation with your two older kids – there’s definitely magic in every age, when we see it.
Definitely! My kids said that older couple will be Matt and me one day…I’d be okay with that.
I love the idea of Disney with older kids!! And great point about taking the extra moment to assume that it’s possible the people were also being pushed. That’s a good concept to carry to all every day irritations.
It is – we make so many assumptions about strangers, and lots are negative. I’m going to choose to assume the positive.
As you know.. we’re in this right now. The ten years ago part. But OMG.. I just had a startle that she’s a college JUNIOR? I still think of her as a high school graduate. Where is the time going???
I also refuse to go in warm weather or during holidays with the rest of the world.. Also, I love walking ten miles a day and the people watching.
Everyone pushes everyone and gets pushed by behind. Probably not rude! Also, that rainy Sunday was the day we flew out of Orlando. We were passing ships. I’m sure I waved to you from the plane.
I waved back!
Loved your Disney musings and was just wondering how your trip went. So was so happy to get a glimpse here into it. That said, we have about 160 days until our next Disney vacation and seriously cannot wait as it really is all about the memories and making the most of all the tine we have there 😉
I love that you are already counting down, Janine!