The magic is as wide as a smile and as narrow as a wink, loud as laughter and quiet as a tear, tall as a tale and deep as emotion. So strong, it can lift the spirit. So gentle, it can touch the heart. It is the magic that begins the happily ever after. Disney World was our destination and November was our timeline. We planned this vacation for over a year, and now it was finally here, time to go visit Mickey and the Gang. I was so excited, I would see commercials on TV and quickly point them out to Havely, who would shrug and usually lose focus before the thirty second commercial had even finished. I couldn't believe she wasn't jumping up and down exploding with excitement. I had seen the kids on the ads, they were so excited that they weren't sleeping. I tried for several days to light the fire under her, and each time she just said mom I know, we're going to Disney. I said finally do you understand what Disney is like? She responded yeah it's like Six Flags or Sea World, and then I would retort with yeah times like 1,000!!! Okay, so at this point I am totally sounding like the child and she is sounding like a flat gray boring adult, boo. The morning of the vacation we packed the last remaining items, said goodbye to Grant and Nana (totally heartbreaking), and headed for the airport to get to sunny Florida.
On our route to the land of wonder we had two layovers in Houston and New Orleans. The flight attendants were wonderful, and the pilot even helped make the journey exceptional. He came back when we were just waiting in Houston and invited Havely into the cockpit to fly the plane. She got to go up and sit in the cockpit and see the controls and touch some of the flight equipment (I would insert a picture here, but the kid hates pictures so none were taken). Once we were landing in New Orleans, the captain announced that the plane was to go onto Orlando, and he wished a little blond girl in row five a wonderful and magic vacation. The trip was just beginning and I was already beginning to feel the magic, big smiles all around. We finally touched down in Orlando and were so ready to get off the plane. Grabbed all the bags and headed to get our rental car, a white Ford Edge, pretty nice car for an even prettier price. It took us about 30 minutes to get to the house. The house was wonderful and we were pleased that it was cozy and had a great "home" like feel already. We were tired and hungry, so we quickly unloaded, found a local grocery store and pizza joint, filled our tummies and then got goods to load the fridge and pantry for our stay.
The next morning we got up, had breakfast and made our way to the Magic Kingdom. I had never been to Disney World, so I had no idea that basically once you exit for Disney, you drive into a world of absolute perfection. You drive for a couple of miles before you come up on the decision to pick you Disney destination, and on the first day of course you have to visit the main attraction, so onto the Magic Kingdom we went. Everything is so orchestrated from parking to entrance into the park.
We took the Ferry Boat over to the entrance and the look on Havely's face when she caught site of Cinderella's castle was priceless and I was able to catch that moment perfectly.
When we got off the Ferry, I could see that my unswayed child had been bitten by the Disney bug and she finally understood what I had been expressing for weeks. When you walk in the entrance and you see the gardens and the train and just take it all in, the sites, the smells (nothing smells like Disney), there is just a feeling that takes you over, makes you tingle from head to toe, and somehow you are transformed into the child that you once were.
You believe in the power of the imagination, you let go of reality and the facts of life. You just live in the moment and allow yourself to become emerged in the worlds around you. You take a journey from fantasy to frontiers, and you don't just experience rides, you go through stories. We began with Pirates of the Caribbean, I wanted to test the waters and make sure that Havely was okay with going on rides that were dark and the little drop would indicate if she was ready for some excitement. She loved it, and I thought OK we can try some larger rides and see how she does. After exiting Pirates we wandered into Frontier land and she spotted the Big Thunder Railroad, and with wide eyes declared, I want to ride that! We got in line and in a matter of ten minutes were boarding the train. All of the rides accommodate families and we were able to ride all together on most everything. Once the ride began, she smiled and giggled the entire time, and even put her hands in the air through out most of the excursion. We finished, came to the station with an abrupt halt, and she turned to me and asked, can we go again? I was relieved to know that going on wilder rides with this kid was not going to be a problem.
We then toured around, went on Splash Mountain, back to Big Thunder, over to the Haunted Mansion, and then to Fantasy land. It began to sprinkle and we quickly ducked into the Philharmagic theatre to watch a 5D movie that was just getting ready to start.
It was a great experience, the screen was 180 degrees so the picture surrounded you, and you could not only feel some of the effects, but at times you could even smell them, simply magic! We then enjoyed some of the food that amusement parks have to offer, not so good for the waste line, but pure bliss for the mouth. The last stop for us that day was Tomorrow Land, and we tackled Space Mountain, which of course ended up becoming one of Havely's all time favorites. She amazed me that day with her tenacity and courage, no ride was too much for her to handle. We left the park in the early evening, and headed home to swim and relax. The perfect introduction day on our Disney vacation.
Day two we began a little on the slow side, both Havely and I ended up getting a bit ill, and our stomachs weren't agreeing with us that morning. We decided to take it a bit slower that day. We headed out to find a place to have a nice lunch before heading to the park. We took a random exit to a town called Celebration, and discovered one of the most perfect little towns I had ever been to. The houses were flawless, the gardens as well. Then we arrived at the town square that surrounded a large pond, with shops and cafes that overlooked the water. We settled in for lunch at the local tavern and had some great food. After some good grub it was onto Disney's Hollywood Studios. Walking up to the entrance we encountered the largest Christmas tree I had ever seen.
Once in the park, we noticed that people were collected alongside the streets and a parade was just about to begin. The Pixar Countdown to Fun parade, we got to see all of our favorite Pixar characters, even the cast of UP had a float. Havely then made the decision that our faces needing to be painted so that we could be Hollywood famous. We found a face painting booth and she picked our designs, very great art on our faces is just what needed to bring my daughter our of her camera shy shell. After her face was painted she would pose for any picture, and smile big.
It was then I decided that the $12 paint job was totally worth some priceless photos. We had a day fit for the stars, we went behind the scenes of movies, and took a stroll down a street in New York. We played in the backyard of the Honey I Shrunk the Kids set,
and then headed to cuddle up and wait for Fantasmic to start. We ended up sitting by a family from San Antonio, what a small world! Fantasmic was astounding, fireworks, black lights and movies cast onto fans of water, pure entertainment from beginning to end. As we exited the theater we came down the hill where the Tower of Terror stood in the cloudy darkness.
You could hear the screams coming from inside, and the set up to the entire ride was just eerie. Havely stared up and pulled us by the hands into the Hotel, she was ready to go on a ride. As we winded through the lobby, people asked us how old she was and pretty much assumed we were the worst parents ever taking out child on this ride. I was scared, Havely however was not. We got into the elevator and headed through the halls of the hotel, we were greeted by the recently departed
and then taken to the tower, shown a quick view of the park so that we could comprehend our height, and then the elevator plummeted quickly. I screamed, Havely laughed, and then Jaaron laughed at the both of us. And once again when the ride ended, she begged to do it all over again. Heading for the exit, our bodies telling us to call it a night we entered the center area where the giant hat is and a live band was playing. With just a little energy left we danced a bit and took some photos before saying goodbye,
and that day Havely took home a Minnie Mouse
that she clutched in the car as she fell asleep in the car and did not wake up as we carried her into the house and poured her into bed. I tucked her in, she still held Minnie, and I kissed her painted and glittered face, my heart and my painted face just smiled.
Day three we were up and going early, plans to eat breakfast out and venture to Animal Kingdom for the early portion of the day, take a rest at home, and then attend the limited engagement Christmas party at the Magic Kingdom. Animal Kingdom is truly a wild place, there are animals everywhere, and at the back of the park you enter Africa, and it feels like you are transported to another country. There were dancers and people playing instruments, and everywhere you looked something was happening. We walked the trails and learned about the animals, but the most amazing part was the Gorillas.
These primates are so majestic and watching them just makes you respect them. They have a beautiful sector for the gorillas, and they watched us just as much as we spied on them. After the serene walk the fast pass was ready for us to head to the safari area. Jamba! Loaded onto the safari bus and ready to go, we went into the Savannah and got to see some amazing African beauties up close and personal. We saw giraffe's, one was lying down for a snooze, which we discovered was rare, giraffe's only sleep an average of 30 minutes a day! Farther into the junket we came up on a heard of elephants, and even got to see a baby elephant with her family, so cute!
I also developed some mad respect for female elephants when we were informed that they are pregnant for 20 months and give birth to a 300 pound baby, WHAT?! That is just crazy right there kids. Along the rest of the tour we met up with a group of cheetahs, some white rhinos, some wildebeests, and vultures. Come to find out a newborn wildebeest can run 50 mph right after being born and vultures help keep down disease big time, round of applause for these awesome creatures please! After the safari we snaked through the park and saw "It's Tough to be a Bug" 5D, then headed to Asia to get a glimpse of the allusive Yeti on Mount Everest.
In line for Expedition Everest once again others looked at me in disgust because I was forcing my delicate five year old on this terrifying ride. This ride was one of the fastest and best Disney has offered. Taken through dark and light, forward and in reverse, up and down the mountain, what a thrill! Time was going fast so we quickly entered the dinosaur era and were taken back in time to bring back a diploduckous dinosaur. I thought this would be where Havely just fell in love, she is obsessed with dinosaurs, the kid is a walking encyclopedia of dino knowledge, she loves Jurassic Park, she even watches boring documentaries on dinosaurs. We exit the ride and she is ghost white and terrified. I am totally perplexed. This is the ride she got scared on? Of all rides, this one??? At this point I decided maybe we needed a rest, we clearly had entered bizarro world. With a quick purchase of some fancy mickey ears,
we headed home for a recharge and break before attending the greatest Christmas party of all time.
Mickey Very Merry Christmas Party is worth every penny. This is a limited engagement and we needed special passes, but I am so happy with this purchase.
When we entered the park, it was snowing, man made yet, but there is no feeling that is like looking down the elegantly decorated main street of Disney World and watching the snow fall peacefully. The decorations were the most perfect Christmas decorations I had ever seen, there is no keeping up with the Jones when it comes to Christmas, it is keeping up with Disney, and it is an impossible task.
We took our place on Main Street right at the foot of the statue of Walt and Mickey, and waited for the Parade. This parade is magnificent and unless you experience it for yourself you won't understand that awe that we came away with. After the parade we shuffled to Cinderella's castle to get a ideal spot to watch the fireworks. We ended up right under where Tinkerbell flew from the top of the Castle. The Fireworks show was spectacular, and with the music and the energy, you couldn't help that emotions got the best of you, this show makes you just happy, your spirit is full of the season and the feeling that Christmas is supposed to bring.
We then had the rest of the evening to explore the park and ride the rides without any lines. We had a great time, even though I got soaked on Splash Mountain! We retired from the park after midnight with a sparkling Tinkerbell balloon, some Christmas souvenirs and a feeling that money cannot buy. Disney has a way of relighting the belief and Christmas spirit in you, the way it was when you were a child and things were simple. Tired and weary we drove home, Havely crashed out in the car and Jaaron and I sat in silence both of us just trying to embed the evenings events and feelings into our hearts forever.
The following day we were just whipped, we had planned to head off to explore Universal Islands of adventure, but decided to just stay put and play at the house. The pool water was warm and inviting, and a day of relaxation was just what we needed. We watched movies and took naps. We snacked and played. That evening we ventured to Downtown Disney and ate at the T-Rex Cafe.
It was entertaining and overall a good experience. We got to shop and explore the area a bit. This place was fun and I would love to visit next time and be able to spend a scant more time there.
On that Thursday I got spoiled with a visit from a long time friend. Erin came from Cape Coral with her son Chase to spend the day with us. It was so good to see her and be able to catch up. The great thing about true friendship is that no matter how much time has passed you don't skip a beat and you can pick up right where you left off. We have been close friends since the eighth grade, and we have stood together through some really great times and unfortunately some grim times as well. We stayed up late talking, and then realizing that we were now parents and had responsibilities, called it a night around midnight. Even though we may only see each other years apart, I cannot imagine my life without her. She is one person that I can say is a friend for a lifetime, watch out for future stories on here when we are old and more gray and can get wild again!
The last day of adventure was met with a cold front, and we were forced to dress warm as we headed out for the day. We decided to spend more time at Hollywood studios and see the stunt show. Jaaron had wanted to see this show before we left for vacation and we intended to make it happen. On our way to the stadium we ran into Lightening McQueen and Mator.
Havely was just in awe, she was so happy that she finally saw her hero! The stunt show proved to be worth the trip back, very exciting and we even got to see Lightening McQueen in action. Havely was starstruck. Watching her watch him was one of the best experiences I have had.
She has been in love with him since she was a toddler, we have watched the Cars movie more times than I can count. When the show was over she kept telling us that he was the real Lightening McQueen and she couldn't wait to tell all of her friends that she got to see him live. This was big to her, one of the moments that won't soon forget. We followed the crowd out and then decided to go see the Muppets 3D, or as Havely keep saying, let's go see the Muffins. Muppets are always entertaining and we had a good time. Out of one park and onto another, we cruised to Epcot to see what else we could fit into the last day. A quick entry, some pictures in front of the giant golf ball thing,
and then into the shops to get some gifts, some for us, some for the ones left at home. All of this going lead to one giant explosion from the young one, she was hungry and tired, and it was time to call it a vacation and leave the wonder and excitement of the Disney parks behind. At this moment you are sad that it is over, but relieved because it is all so exhausting and you don't realize this until you throw in your chips. A quick trip to Celebration again for some local Cuban cuisine and then into the local soda/candy shop for a sugary pick me up. We made a break for home and put the droopy sprout to bed. The next morning we packed up and made sure all of our treasures were going to be safe for the trip. We arrived at the airport with time to spare and got a bite to eat. On the plane Havely sat by the window, dressed in her new Minnie Mouse outfit and she seemed a bit defeated to leave. I asked her if she was okay and she said she wanted to go home but she wanted to stay too, I told her I understood, but we would be back and that was a promise. As we sat back and lifted into the air, not knowing I was watching, I watched those blue eyes gaze at the ground as it disappeared and heard her little voice saying goodbye to each character by name, and with each name her tiny fingers gave a little wave out the window. It took everything that I had not to cry, as I realized that she not only understood the magic but she was young enough to believe in the true spirit and magic of Disney. That small moment was my moment, the one that I will hold onto to remember the trip, the one that made all the effort worth it. We will be back soon, I promise. 12.03.11
