Day One. Our secret. Dont judge us.
As Ive alluded to before, we are not planners when it comes to our
Disney vacations. It is vacation for us, plain & simple. Although as we all know, Walt Disney World is about the furthest thing in the world from plain & simple. I have read the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World cover-to-cover. I spend endless hours on the DIS boards researching, learning, and planning in a non-planning kind of way. There is something unique that I have learned from being a former Cast Member is that things are changing, constantly. The way it was back in 1996 is not the way it is today, and even different from what it was five years ago. I would love to claim myself an expert due to my College Program experience, but I simply cant. This company is always evolving. Maybe that is why they are so successful? They are not content with something working; they are always looking to find ways to make it work better. There are a few things that I think that I will always be able to count on, such as the Three Oclock parade starting at 3:00, and the left hand line being shorter than the right.
Any vacation guidebook, touring plan, or past guest will agree that the key to a successful day at the Magic Kingdom is to GO EARLY. This is absolutely correct, for most. I know better than to sleep in (as much as you can with three kids 4 and under), and eat a leisurely breakfast in your villa. But we do, and we did on our FIRST full day at Disney World.
I have full confidence that these types of Disney World faux paus will not ruin our vacation nor hinder the excitement and experience that our children have. We have the luxury of knowing that a) our kids cant read the park maps, so they will never miss what they dont experience first hand, and b) another trip is always on the horizon. So for us, we take the time to enjoy our family, take in the Disney magic and go where the present opportunities take us.
On day one the first order of business was to get our little Princesss annual pass activated. Being the laid back guests that we are, walking to Epcots International Gateway is our first choice. Then well leisurely stroll through Epcot, catch the monorail & hit the Magic Kingdom. No bus ride. This is key. This trip will be the ultimate quest to avoid the bus. We would rather walk three miles out of the way than ride on a crowded bus for one. Another reason why the room assigning gods probably placed us at the end of the line, they sensed we really wouldnt mind.
By the time we reach the Magic Kingdom its already after 11:00. Note the time on the clock, and the crowd level:
Is that a lime green shirt under that womans jacket? Is she a DISer?
The day pretty much consisted of the carousel and characters. We arrived at prime time to get the lines at the peak of the day, so after several trips on the Carousel, and a quick stop in Toon Town we made our way to the mountain range.
I can admit this was the day that we made biggest mistakes of our vacation; and Im sure we are not the first to make this heinous error. We offered the opportunity to ride Splash Mountain to our Princess. Yes, she is 4 ½ but a very petite 4 ½ and a great parent would have verified the height requirement, and measured their child PRIOR to leaving for the trip. We, of course, did not. As the crocodile tears flowed freely upon her denial of entrance I felt like the biggest heel in the world. We looked like jerks, we felt like jerks. She had no idea what the ride was, or what it consisted of; but for someone to tell her shes not big enough just crushed her. It crushed me.
Thankfully crocodile tears were easily eliminated with the peace offering of a popsicle and front row seats to Cinderellabration.
Now I know I am not alone in this, and that are others of you out there that feel the same way. Cinderellabration is pretty lame in Disney production standards. There is absolutely no plot, just lots of princess prancing. Yea the kids liked it, but it wasnt an oh wow or can we watch it again type deal. We had great seats and no crowds
but sacrificed part of our hearing because of it.
Im sure that we ate dinner before heading back, I really dont remember. As I mentioned earlier, I do not make 18,000 ADRs. Just one and that is on only to facilitate early entry into the Magic Kingdom
but that is another day.
Now I have to let you in on a little secret, and it is a lesson in learning not to judge people.
Had you seen us in Disney this week, you would have noticed that we walked at a very sloooooow pace. You were probably frustrated if you were stuck behind us trying to get somewhere. You also probably muttered evil thoughts to yourself and your traveling company about my DH as you watched us at the bus stop that evening; as it was I that wrestled with the double stroller thatwasbiggerthanme, lugging it onto the bus. All the while my strapping DH stood there with nothing but an 18lb baby in his arms. He is a very fit guy, were often stopped and asked if he is a Marine due to his high & tight, so Im sure to onlookers he looked like a big jerk-o and I like a subservient wife. Neither of the two is even close to being true.
Now, nearly a year prior to this trip we completed our family. After the birth of our son we were very comfortable with our party of five and made the decision to take decisive and permanent action on this matter. As I was the one that had endured the years of pregnancy and childbirth we agreed that it would be most fitting & fair for him to take care of things permanently. Now my only gripe here is that we did indeed make this decision a year ago
and when is the procedure finally done? Days, yes, just a few days prior to our vacation. I even suggested waiting until after the trip, but after a couple months of moved/rescheduled/canceled appointments due to work conflicts he kept this one. Now anything medical will affect everyone differently. We heard stories of youll be fine the next day, and then some where it was a week or two to feel better. He fell somewhere in-between. I think the extra walking & some lifting didnt help. So by this day (day 2 of vacation, day 1 of parks), he was hurting. I had
told him so.
So when you see a strapping young man, standing idly by as his wife lifts, lugs & carries their children and cargo, dont judge. Let this be a lesson. Think of us and consider that maybe there are circumstances that you are not aware of, and move on.
) Thanks for stopping by Horsegirl, I loved your report (although I'll admit I haven't quite finished it yet).
You can usually find him hanging around the CB.
!! Glad HE took care of it and not YOU, the birther of the two.
I just found your TR, and I'm LOVING it! Whoever failed you in English was a moron - you write beautifully. 
I only have one and I can't even manage to keep track of everything I want to at The World!
I "heard" they have grown a little. Loved the comment about it isn't the prom 
