Yeah, I know what your thinking and it's not THAT dreaded question (although, I really don't dread that question at all. I'm not excited about it, but I wouldn't say I dread it). No, this question has to do with a childhood right of passage. Every time this certain topic comes up, I know the question is coming:
"Mom, when are WE going to Disney World?"
Am I a bad parent if what almost comes out of my mouth is, "Never, honey. Never, ever." ??? That dreaded expectation of spending WAY too much to do things that make me ill, and give me a headache, all while waiting in line all day with a bazillion people in 1,000 degree heat is gnawing away at me. What doesn't sound fun about that? On top of that, this place it's own Metropolis, and I wouldn't know where to begin. But, my poor, sweet, innocent, naive children think their time is coming. That at some point in the very near future, it will indeed be the day that Disney World will be conquered.
It is possible I've been soured on the whole "Disney" thing because of something that happened when I was in my teen years. Because of the sheer volume of my family, growing up, family vacations outside of Utah were rare. 3 total. Well, as any kid would be, I was ecstatic about our upcoming trip to Disneyland. I was practically the lone outcast in my circle of friends that wasn't a member of the "I've been to Disneyland" club, and I was on the brink of changing that. When we arrived, I remember thinking it was a lot smaller than I thought. Surely, I should've been able to see that huge Golf Ball thingy from the parking lot, right? Still optimistic, we started riding rides. Only, we spent hours in line for a 3-5 minute ride. I was beginning to get irritated. I only had one day, and it was being eaten up by waiting in line. I decided maybe I ought to take a different approach here. Instead of riding rides, I was going to "experience" Disneyland. I would go to Cinderellas Castle, and go find that Epcot Center. Well, I looked all over that darn place and couldn't find either one. What was going on here? Finally, frustrated I asked a very helpful worker where I could find these attractions. She looked at me and then started giggling. She turned to a friend and repeated what I had just asked her. The two of them laughed and laughed. "Sweetie", she said (I hate it when people around my same age call me sweetie) "that's DisneyWORLD".
Oh. my. gosh. They are DIFFERENT PLACES??!!!! It was hard to recover from a blow like that. I remember trying to mask my disappointment and hurt. I took a younger sibling on the, "It's A Small World" ride, thinking I would just make the best of it. That just made me angrier. I spent the remainder of the afternoon on the verge of tears.
Is it possible my own children have built this place up in their lil' minds to the point that no matter what is experienced there, it won't measure up? Will I have suffered through all the afore mentioned things only to return with disappointed kids and an empty bank account?
So I'm posing a question to you: Am I a bad parent if I don't take my kids to Disney world? Keep in mind these beautiful words of wisdom, "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy."
6 comments:
Well, Tiff this is Cory not Age. And I have started early by convincing my kids that "Disneyland" is really a place where dreams come true. And where do dreams happen in your sleep! I am even considering a trip to lagoon with Micky Mouse ears and the entire Stream sister clan dressed up as a Princess for the day. Add that with a little photoshop and their young naive minds will never know they have never really been to Disneyland...needless to say I dread the day!!!
We LOVE LOVE LOVE Disney! My husband turns into a little kid and we just have a ball. We even braved it with all 8 this year and had such a good time. If you do decide to actually be a good parent (jk) and take them then go during off-season to avoid lines and hot weather. Also, go for at least 3 days so you won't feel rushed. Or maybe a Disney cruise is more up your alley???
(:
Tiffany, I can honestly say I was a member of the "not ever visited Disney World" and technically I still am. I finally went to Disneyland a few years back with David for a day and felt like a kid. I was a little disappointed in the rides as well but for some reason when the parade came through with all the characters, I reverted to an excited child. And trust me, we weren't really into Disney stuff as kids. But I always grew up saying I had never gone and really honestly, would have liked to have experienced it as a kid. I wonder if I would have been thrilled to be there or had the kind of experience you had.
Having said all that, I think you have to take the kids. First, to let them have their own experiences no matter how different or the same it is compared to yours AND since you live in GA and pretty much everyone they know has been, you gotta take them. Just my opinion of course but you could also hold a family home evening and give them realistic expectations, talk about appreciating the trip as in no whining, complaining while there, talk about what they are looking forward to most, let them help plan it out, etc. I think they'll have the time of their lives. And I think it might redeem itself in your eyes because you get the experience of seeing your kids thrilled in some way or another even if you are still not too impressed! :)
Thanks for the tips guys!! We might brave it after all! You've brought up some very valid points :)
We get the "my kid has Autism" pass, soooo, not sure if I am the best one for advice;) I could never do it with Mason if we didn't get the special pass to skip the lines. about the only perk to having a special need kiddo. Go for it. You can do hard things :)
I agree, You need to do it once! Its not that bad. Even with a 2 year old it was fun. Your kids are older too so that is a plus for you! Fun times!
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