Thursday, January 11, 2007

Magical Moments

I can pretty much tell you that today is going to be the day I run around like a chicken with my head cut off. We're leaving for Disney in the morning (as in 4 AM) and will be in the car with a 5 and a 2 year old for 12 hours. Oh joy! But once we get there.... It'll be heaven.

At the moment I think I'm more excited than my children about this trip. I've spent months planning it - researching the best place to buy tickets, the best (and cheapest) places to eat in the parks, buying them pins on ebay so they can participate in the pin trading (something new at the parks since the last time I've been)... I've been to Disney more times than I can count (my grandmother lives about an hour away) but knowing that this time I get to experience it through my girls' eyes is somehow more exciting.

I don't think it's an accident that this year is The Year of a Million Dreams at Disney. They're giving away prizes, nights in the castle suite, all sorts of things to make dreams come true. Disney has always been known as a magical place, a place where anything and everything can happen. This is not only a vacation. It's also a chance to remember that magical things happen everyday and that you don't need a national conglomerate to make your dreams come true.

Instigator - wishing everyone a magical week!

P.S. Congratulations to Nienke! She's our winner from yesterday. Please email playgroundmonitor@writingplayground.com to claim your prize.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Have a GREAT trip and travel safe!

Angel said...

I went to Disney only once, as a teenager, and loved it!!! I can't wait until my two are old enough for the trip to be worth it.

Y'all have fun and a safe trip! That 12 hour drive will be hard, but worth it. And they'll probably sleep a lot on the way home. :)

We'll miss you!

Problem Child said...

Now your kids are going to tell my kid all about Disney and I'll be planning a trip too. Sigh.

Have fun!

Katherine Bone said...

Instigator, you and your family are going to have a blast! I wish you much joy and safe travel. I've been nearly 10 times. This Feb. will be the 8th time with cheerleaders.

It shouldn't take you but 10 hours to get to Disney. At least, that's how long it takes us.

Remember to bring snacks for your backpacks and pack everyone a bottled water.

Don't forget rain ponchos. You wouldn't want wet weather to ruin your day. We forgot ours one year and had to buy everyone a poncho at the park for $8.00 a pop.

If you're staying on Disney, don't forget to buy the cup offered at the food court in your resort. At around $12 a piece, these cups more than make up for the cost when you can refill them for free the rest of your stay. And bring them back again, year after year. Definitely worth it and a great keepsake.

Don't forget to buy the girls the autograph books when you first get there. They'll want to get their favorite characters signatures and a picture.

Remember to go to the parks early everyday. There are fewer people to deal with and the lines aren't as long to get on the rides.

Any other advice you need, I'm just a phone call away. Until then, have a magical day!

Kathy

Playground Monitor said...

Ditto on Kathy's snack, water and poncho advice. And remember to put on sunscreen too so you don't get burned. Also lollipops are a great way to take the edge of hunger without spoiling the appetite.

Have a wonderful time! I'm already looking forward to taking the grandbaby when she's old enough to enjoy it.

PM

Meljprincess said...

Have a wonderful time! Wave to my Mom. She lives about 15 mins. from Disney. If you have time go to Sea World. In my opinion it's better than Disney. I'll be down there soon enough as I'm moving to FL and will be staying with my Mom 'til I find a place to live.
KISS DONALD! He's my fav. :-)

Andrea Laurence AKA Smarty Pants said...

You'll have a great time. This is the perfect time to take your oldest because she'll always have the fuzzy magical childhood memories of this trip. The kind where she'll go back when she's older and be very unimpressed because it will never be as wonderful as it was this first time.

Sunscreen - don't you forget that. I know its January but you and I can burn on a cloudy day when we stay indoors.

Have fun with the pins. That's a neat keepsake. I wear my Thumper pin everyday.

Don't forget to take a day in the middle to relax. Those theme parks can suck out your soul if you hit them each day, sun up to sun down. Take a break, watch the parades. The Main Street Electrical Parade was always my fav. I watched a show once on how they did it. Insanely cool.

SP

Kira Sinclair - AKA Instigator said...

You guys are making me so excited! I've got an entire day at the office to get through :-(

Thanks for the suggestions! I almost forgot the rain ponchos *adds to Wal-Mart list*.

Instigator

Katherine Bone said...

Don't forget! Go to the hunting section and get the $1 ponchos. They're clear, durable, and light weight.

Forgot the sunscreen. Yes, you definitely need it. You'd be surprised how sunburned you can get walking around Disney.

Oh, I still remember standing next to Chip and Dale. Dale got a little spunky with me and kept squeezing my side over and over again. WHAT? Doesn't he know how old I am?

Have you seen the video of Tigger belting that teenager? LOL. Sometimes these characters get outlandish. Heads up! Watch out! Oh and don't forget to go see the Power Rangers at MGM around the Stunt car show.

Have a great time!

Kathy

Renee Andrews said...

When I grew up, I asked to go to Disney EVERY year. I was told we'd go when I was old enough to enjoy it.

When I turned 30, my hubby finally took me. I might as well have been 9. What a fabulous, wonderful, amazing place! I've been 3 times now. I've stayed in one of the resort hotels, but I swear that I had more fun that very first time, when we camped at Fort Wilderness. Going to Disney during the day and having campfires with Chip and Dale at night was just too cool for words.

Have FUN, Instigator!

Kelley, who is going back to Disney for visit #4 in March - yea!!!

Playground Monitor said...

I grew up knowing about Disneyland in California, but that was a long way from North Carolina. I made my first trip to Disney shortly after I got married when my husband had a short job assignment in the Orlando area. I was 22 and when I walked in the gate and saw the Cinderella castle, I just cried. It was a dream finally come true.

We took our boys to Magic Kingdom and Epcot when they were 4 and 8 and then took them to MGM when they were about 9 and 13. What fun!

PM