Tuesday, December 14, 2010

What I have learned from Disney

I will admit that Disney (both Land and World) were not big attractions to me as a child. In fact, I never went to either until I visited Disney World for a work event in 2003. I have a friend who visits Disney multiple times a year with family who proved to be a great guide. However, this friend was also the liar that told me Rock and Roll'er Coaster was "not that bad." But now that we have been multiple times including twice in the past three months, I can see many reasons why people love it. And I can also see why some people do not and never will. This is what I call What I have learned from Disney:

1. You better be patient. Even now that we are self proclaimed experts on navigating Disney and its widespread terrain, you better be patient. At all times.

2. We met a family in Disney visiting as part of Make A Wish. Nothing will humble you more quickly than to see the beautiful face of a child with terminal cancer. Often, that child is the happiest child you will see all day.

3. You will meet some wonderful people from all over the world.

4. Do not wear high heeled shoes of any kind. Really. People do this. Have fun being sad and crying because your feet hurt. I am a committed high heel wearer and could wear heels for 24 hours straight. Not at Disney. 

5. When your child finally reaches the height requirement, it is like they won the lottery. MiniMac could finally go on Soarin' and Test Track. And he LOVED Test Track.

6. Even the nicest person on Earth is going to encounter certain families whom cause you to think...wow...those kids are brats. Oh, ditto for the parents of those kids.

7. Disney has some fantastic restaurants like Todd English's Blue Zoo, Flying Fish at the Boardwalk, California Grill at Contemporary, and Jiko at Animal Kingdom. You also have multiple great restaurants around Orlando. You don't have to eat corn dogs and stale chips with fake cheese.

8. All day at Disney is hazardous to your child's energy level. Or what I like to call Why THANK YOU Disney and Hallelujah!

9. I will never, and I do mean never, be down with Disney apparel made for adults. Apparently I am in the minority. Same rule for the crazy Minnie ears with veils or fake hair attached. I am also in the minority there.

10. Sometimes the greatest lift you can get in your day is witnessing other people's pure and unfiltered happiness. It abounds at Disney. It is an amazing thing to see.

11. Spending all day going on rides is fun. Especially when that day is a day you would normally be at the office. Even better when this is the FIRST trip all year I left my Blackberry in the hotel room. All day.

38 comments:

KittyCat said...

Im the opposite. I was enchanted with all the Disney commercials as a kid that when I finally got to go as a teen I was sooooo dissappointed.
I have been to both since then.
I lived in California for awhile and so anytime ppl came to visit they wanted a tour guide.

My fav is in Florida, the MGM stuff.

Glad you had such a good time. Minus the rides. lol

Slamdunk said...

Sounds like valuable advice.

Love the height comment--we have been measuring for a couple of years at our local amusement park.

Simply Suthern said...

We went to Disney in Orlando.

It rained. But it was OK. We still had fun.

Well until everyone broke out the ole Yellow Disney Ponchos and you could no longer identify your child or spouse from anyone elses. It took a while to realize why the kids I dragged to the car didnt answer to their names.

Ed said...

You forgot to mention that small cokes will cost you $18 and a kidney.

Kir said...

ok, I was typing and then it was gone.

here's the recap.

I went to Disney once as a child.
My children will go but they must be 5 ..it's hard enough to control them now.

HIGH HEELS at Disney..who are these women "GOOFY's special friends? " ;)
and I looooove me some high heels too.

I know I would love all the GOOD FEELING moments at Disney..I would probably cry all day about how AWESOME it was.

Disney apparel for adults??? Thumbs Down. (even for kids is skeptic)
I also feel this way about team jerseys. You are NOT Eli Manning, don't wear his shirt. LOL

SO glad you are having fun....and without your blackberry. YEA!

Shell said...

I love Disney. Watching my boys' faces is magic. Yes, I know, I'm cheesy.

Unknown said...

I took my then five and seven year olds to Disney a few years back after a year when I'd been constantly away from home working hard, ratty and generally a bad mother. One weekend in Paris and all was forgiven. What money & time can buy. xx

Unknown said...

I have never been to Disney; I wonder if they have those handicapped scooters you can rent. Hubby couldn't walk that much, and I'm really not sure I could.

Marcy said...

Didn't i see a picture of you at disney in croc heels? do they not count? :) They have the word "heels" in them, don't they?

tee hee.

Please be my tour guide some time when i can take the kiddos....!

BigSis said...

I've only been once and my son has never been. It sounds like sooo much fun to me!

Kristina P. said...

My husband and I went to Disneyland this year. Can you believe they let kids in there?!?!

And who in the world is wearing high heels?

JennyMac said...

haha Marcy..croc heels do NOT count. Yes, they have the word "heels" but they should be called "Croc slippers shaped at an angle."

McKenzie said...

Sounds like fun! I can't wait to take my boys to Disney Land.

brokenteepee said...

I am 51 and have not yet made it to Disney. Epcot yes, Disney no. I went to Epcot to meet my goddaughters (6 &4) and had the time of my life. They were going to DisneyWorld later in the vacation but I could only get away for 4 days. They were probably the best 4 days I ever had. Watching them was as you said pure joy.

Bird Shit said...

I've never been to Disney...not sure I want to. I love my heels too much LOL

Jinksy said...

The very IDEA of Disney fills me with horror...

Anonymous said...

#2 broke my heart...

I enjoyed Disney Land way better as an adult...

Dawn Parsons Smith said...

Such a great post! We are doing a week at DisneyLand next year for Christmas. My daughter has an Irish dance regional competition in Anaheim then so we thought why not make it a week full of fun!? Thanks for the great tips!

Science Teacher Mommy said...

We just got back from CA Disney a couple of weeks ago. Loved it. We met up with all of my siblings, their kids and my parents for an early Christmas gift. I think about once a decade is just about right, though my brother is the type that goes every year and it works for them.

I thought this post would be about Disney movies. Too bad, I was going to say, "The little mermaid taught me to dress like a slut, act like a brat and then still get everything I want."

Anonymous said...

Aww, what a good time! I will not wear Micky gear or ears either. But then again I've never been to Disney. Ever! I may just geek out when I get there.

ThatsBaloney said...

I'm not a Disney person. Maybe it is because I have 2 boys but I'd just as soon go to Six Flags. Same happy faces on my kids and I can drive there.
I do have to admit that the Disney Halloween parade was the cutest thing I've ever seen.

Chain Stitch Crochet said...

How great that you had a good time. I'm from FL and have been to Disney a few times but not in the last 15 years. Seeing it through a child's eyes is wonderful. I think everyone should experience it at least once.

Andrea McKay said...

I LOVE Disney World, but I am with you on the Disney attire. There is no reason to a) look like a moron and b) funnel even more money into their hands. It also made me crazy that each ride empties directly into a gift shop. Other than that, it's perfectly magical. :)

Nitmos said...

I've been at Disney in Fl in the middle of 90+ degree days multiple times and am astounded at the number of folks wearing jeans. Jeans! Oh, God, the chafing!

Kristy @Loveandblasphemy said...

I'm looking forward to taking my child to Disney when he's old enough. I don't want to take him too soon. There is some great food there, but wow! Expensive!

Bretthead said...

Disney and going to a baseball game are both timeless events for me. I can fondly remember going to both as a child with my family. And now I have taken my own boys to both places. They definitely like Disney more than baseball, but I get great joy from both places as an adult like I did as a kid.

Brenda Susan said...

I am so with you on the Disney apparel thing! I don't understand why a grownup would be seen in them, especially outside of the park!

I would like to just sit on a bench there and watch the crazy parade of people go by from all over the world! Fascinating!

Unknown said...

You go girl! Blackberryless! Sons first trip to disney last year was wonderful, just like you described!

Maria said...

We just came back on Sunday...and are still recovering. Have to tell you that my oldest and I rode the Dragon Challenge at Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter and we thought we were going to die...thought of you ...and got on it anyways...

So glad you had a good time and that the weather was great!

Kristen said...

I love Disney World but in a way where I do not wear Disney gear, ears, put sunscreen on my nose or act like Goofy's little sister.

BB said...

Great advice. Someday maybe I'll be able to use it.

Anonymous said...

My husband is absolutely addicted to Disney, he took me for my first time ever in 2003 (for my college graduation present) and we've have been, on average, about every year and a half since then, our fave time to go is for the Food & Wine Festival.

Unknown said...

You bring up some good points. The food is outrageously priced but it's good.

I worked at Disneyland as one of my first jobs as a teen. It was eery when the park was closed. I remember walking Main Street and feeling like something was going to jump out at me.

It is a magical place to be and it never fails that everyone is smiling.

the walking man said...

11...and missed that blackberry all day too I would think?

JennyMac said...

haha Mark. It missed me. The feeling was not mutual. Perhaps I am finally liberated!

Unknown said...

You don't even have a Mickey t-shirt?! I'm not really down with the mouse ears anymore but I've got a blinged out Minnie baseball cap and a Mickey shirt.
One of my favorite things about Disneyland (never been to DisneyWorld) is the little things for the out of towners. A kennel for dogs? The last time my folks went down there, they took their dogs and left them in the kennel. Loved it!

Intense Guy said...

So what did you do with your texting thumbs to handle the withdrawal symptoms?

I agree.. its magic seeing all the happy peoples...

mercie francais said...

I can't wait to go. I am Florida bound in 5 weeks. :) Love the post!