I've been giddy with excitement over planning our first trip to Disney with the boys. Here's why... and this is why you shouldn't be too jealous of our trip- it's a REALLY long time coming. This was our first authentic family trip/vacation (unless you include camping where we have to set up our own house, kitchen and where you have to walk 200 yards to get to a bathroom). And things haven't been easy for us the past few years either. Let me tell you how hard it was to hear about student after student of mine going to Disney while meanwhile my husband was unemployed for 6 months. When you are in that type of dire financial state, the idea of a Disney vacation seems very distant to say the least. And was I happy for friends and for my students who got to go to Disney? Of course, I was so happy for them... but that didn't make it easier. Things improved and we made financially responsible decisions like keeping old cars (that weren't even new when we bought them) and buying store brand cheese (not bad, but I don't recommend store brand tissues), but still I dreamed of a family vacation.
Imagine my giddiness over the past few months after my grandfather invited us all to visit him in Florida (including a stay at Disney). That alone would have made my walk down Main Street magical. But I wasn't alone. It turns out, going to Disney wasn't just a dream of mine, it was a dream come true for the kids. Before we got there, the boys had no idea what they were in for. Here's an example. Liam got a wallet for his birthday (pre-Disney) and he said, "I love this wallet more than anything!" His Daddy said, "More than Disney World?" and Liam said, "Yes, I love this wallet more than Disney World". If you love a Justice League acrylic wallet your parents bought for you from Target for $14.95 more than a trip to Disney... you don't really get what Disney is all about.
There were many magical moments in Disney. Waiting in line for Dumbo and having the kids ask, "Who is Dumbo?" (have I failed them as a parent?); riding Space Mountain (and having your mom hold onto your shoulder from the seat behind you); getting stuck in "The Progress of Change" or whatever that lame revolving theater ride is called... but having the kids love it anyway; our lost camera actually getting returned to us (Wow! Really honest people do exist!); Liam grabbing at Mickey's 3D hat (but instead almost hitting a lady's head); Joshua crying through the fireworks while Liam cheered and clapped on his Daddy's shoulders; that gigantic cinnamon bun we had at the bakery on Main Street; sharing the experience with 4 generations (my grandfather, father, brother, husband and our kids)... all of these were special moments. But looking back, the two most special moments are these:
This first picture is of Liam "Holding up the castle". He had this look on his face for about 2 hours. I can never seem to get Liam to smile for pictures, but on our first day at Disney, he just couldn't stop smiling. We hadn't even been on any rides... but he knew it was a magical place.
This isn't a great picture (should've used a video camera instead) but it was surely one of the most magical moments of our day at Magic Kingdom. It's of Joshua meeting Mickey Mouse for the first time. Mickey has always been a hero for Joshua. He's always loved Mickey Mouse Club House and always to build up to our trip to Disney, we've told him we're going to "Mickey's House". When Joshua first came face to face (actually face to yellow buttons) with Mickey... he was completely awe-struck. He was almost shaking as he looked up at Mickey... and then he gave him one of those great big hugs that Joshua is so good at giving. Even Liam was in awe. Afterwards he said, "I didn't know Mickey was actually real!" And it was just magical.
Yes, it was a magical trip. We had spent the first day at Magic Kingdom, so what else could you expect? But the days that came after were pretty great too. Liam got to be trained as a Jedi at Hollywood Studios (and got to fight with Darth Vader when he came out and asked all of the young Jedi if they wanted to "come to the Dark Side"). Josh dug for bones at the T-Rex Cafe. Liam found his new favorite thing to do now that he's 40 inches tall: ride roller coasters (his favorites were Everest at Animal Kingdom and Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios). Joshua fell in love with the Small World After all characters (while Liam couldn't help but remark that the song kept getting stuck in his head). Both boys couldn't get enough of the leaf slides, mud tunnel and spider web in the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground at Hollywood Studios. Joshua fell in love with a Mickey doll that was almost as big as him and Liam chose the Fantasia Mickey over the Jedi Mickey; ever since they've both been inseparable with their new pals.
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