December's Disney Trip

Okay, this submission isn't exactly timely, but December was a busy month. Not only are we filled to the brim with holiday festivities, but we threw a 5 day trip to Orlando into the mix as well!

You can't really describe us as "Disney People". We have friends that go yearly or every other year and stay for 2 weeks enjoying the parks. This always seemed very foreign to Zack and I. Perhaps that is because we had NEVER been. Truthfully, I am not sure that we really thought we would go any time soon given the expense and the fact that Alexander and CJ had no concept of what Disney was. But then Zack had to go to a conference in Orlando. Things changed.

Off we went the week after Thanksgiving. After four weeks of planning and prepping the kids as to what Disney was all about, we flew down. Certainly they were excited about the destination, but since Alexander has claimed that his life ambition since he was 2 is to be a pilot -- the plane ride was foremost in his excitement. He loved it, even though his window seat was next to the engine and you could only peek around it to see the clouds. No matter, it was cool.

I will happily admit that Disney lived up and exceeded our expectations. The kids were overwhelmed by it all and true troopers running around all day and staying up until 10 or later most nights. Alexander was thrilled with all the rides -- Buzz Lightyear and the Star Wars rides were his favorites, and CJ was enamored with every Disney character. For her, everything was magical and REAL. From the moment we walked into the park and she laid eyes upon Cinderella's castle, she lit up. The glow from her wonderment never ceased and only beamed brighter when she met Cinderella -- her idol.

Alexander on the other hand wanted absolutely NOTHING to do with any "person dressed up in a big costume". Not surprising since he still ducks out of sight at the appearance of the Nittany Lion. But he was completely into the rides and shows -- at the 'birds of prey' show he was absorbed with the different tropical birds and hawks/falcons flying over his head as well as entertained by the Beauty and Beast musical.

Zack and I were the most impressed by the sparkle in the kids' eyes. I can't imagine that there is anything better than experiencing Disney with a 3 and 5 year old. The magic is so real and the amazment so grand that you just can help but stop and be heart-warmed. We also totally loved the adult coasters we rode (taking turns waiting with the kids). Perhaps we will travel back in a few years --- when the kids can pay their own way! ;-)

Here is a rather long movie (4 min) of the trip. This pictorial is better than any story I could write. Enjoy --- we certainly did.