Let the Memories Begin

A few months ago, I suggested that we might schedule a future trip to a theme park (see “Mountain Magic” post on June 30).  After our adventure at Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, the prospects of spending a few days in a theme park seemed anathema.  So, I need to man-up and admit that we did, indeed, plan and execute a 5 day trip to central Florida to visit Mickey and Minnie during Jackson’s fall break.  Though I wouldn’t classify our trip as spectacular, I found it to be far more enjoyable than I anticipated.

For the record, fall break is a welcome reprieve. Though I’m not a fan of year-round school, the shock of starting school in early August gives way to the relief of having a week off in late September. I’m praying that no other school systems discover this secret because most of the desirable destinations are empty this time of year, including the parks at Walt Disney World. The timing of our break was optimum as Meridith had just finished an intense and time-consuming project that required pre-natal vitamins and an epidural. With the stars aligned, we packed up and drove south to enter into the domain of childhood dreams and memories.

Upon sharing the news of our plans with Jackson, we were surprised at his tepid response.  Though he had visited the Magic Kingdom once before as a two-year old, he hardly remembers anything about our descent into the masses just a few days after Christmas in 2009.  Now at age five, we assumed he would demonstrate an excitement worthy of a Disney television commercial.  Alas, we were dumbfounded.  We had to convince Jackson to go by making him watch internet videos of the parks’ attractions.  With a little encouragement, Jackson moved from skepticism to anticipation.  Our relief was palpable because we were uncertain how he might fare at home alone for five days.

We arrived in Orlando after an uneventful drive down I-75, the Florida Turnpike and I-4. After checking into the hotel, we visited Downtown Disney and noticed nothing but tumbleweeds and crickets.  A few families gathered at the Lego store and we logged a prolonged visit there by watching Jackson construct a few cars and buildings.  The next morning we entered the Magic Kingdom just as it opened. Before lunchtime, we had visited most of the high-profile attractions including Space Mountain, Peter Pan, It’s a Small World, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. We spent the afternoon at Animal Kingdom before returning to the Magic Kingdom for the Wishes fireworks display at Cinderella’s Castle.  Definitely a highlight.

We spent an entire day at Epcot and enjoyed a preview of the Food and Wine Festival.  Jackson found Nemo, piloted a space craft to Mars and hang-glided over California, while Meridith discovered grapefruit beer in Germany’s exhibition at the World Showcase.  We dodged a brief but intense rain shower by ducking into an English Pub and emerged to the thrill of a beautiful sunset and the Illuminations fireworks show. We began our final day at Magic Kingdom and quickly transitioned to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  Neither Jackson nor Meridith had ever visited Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios, so much of our trip allowed them to enjoy new experiences. And though Hollywood Studios was more crowded than the other parks, we found that the entire trip exceeded our expectations.  Jackson has already informed us that he would like to return to Disney World . . . next October.

It’s hard to compare this trip with other adventures we’ve been able to experience. Jackson had a great time and we loved watching him absorb the myriad sensory experiences offered in Walt’s world.  Of course, the therapeutic value of our time together was priceless, which nearly approximates the staggering cost of a Disney vacation. But with smaller crowds and cheaper hotel rates, the timing was providential and just what we needed for a fall break-away. Though my constitution can no longer endure the more intense roller coaster rides, I know that there will be no shortage of friends and family members willing to accompany Jackson on the Rockin’ Roller Coaster and Expedition Everest on future trips to Orlando. Enjoy. You’ll find me at Epcot enjoying another cold beverage with my beautiful wife.