This was one of those moments in life. You know, the moments that take you by surprise, knock you off your feet, change your perspective and adjust the whole course of your life. It was spring break in 2002 and I was going to Florida, not to the beach as a college student looking for fun, but as a young dad taking my wife and twin toddlers to the happiest place on earth, Disney World.
While I wasn’t as stoked for this trip as I had been for spring trips to the beach in my college years, I was cautiously optimistic that a fun time would be had. My wife was and is a Disney fanatic and was aggressively training my two little cherubs to follow in her footsteps. I tolerated and even enjoyed the movies and shows on television that seemed to be on repeat in our home. I enjoyed the build up to this vacation and seeing my three girls’ anticipation grow. Providing even more hope for my experience was the fact that we were staying at the All-Star Sports Hotel and Resort. I knew this last factor was my wife’s attempt to give a little part of the trip to Dad.
We loaded up the family truckster (our vacations can be a little like the Griswold’s) and headed to sunny Florida. We rolled into the resort early in the morning to check-in. I was immediately impressed with the place. The workers were friendly and the atmosphere was upbeat. The whole resort was well maintained and visually pleasing, and, most importantly, from my dad’s perspective, we were able to get in our room early.
I rushed to get our bags unloaded because we had a bus to catch. My fellow travelers were chomping at the bit to get to the Magic Kingdom.
We loaded the bus and there was a buzz of excitement from my kids (and wife) that gives a dad a special warm feeling that things are right with the world. I was happy and my cautious optimism was now turning into anticipation of a fun-filled vacation. However, I was still not ready for what was to come. We got off the bus, swiped our park hopper ticket (way back when they were cards and not a nifty looking band or smart phone app) and entered the park.
In this moment, walking down Main Street USA, I had one of those unexpected life changing experiences that opens up your world and changes perspective. In that moment, I became a “Disney Freak!” I was blown away. The feeling of pure joy was tangible. As we walked, I heard the whimsical sounds of laughter and upbeat music. I saw the vibrant colors of the park and smiling faces of everyone there. And then there were the smells! WOW! For a person that loves food, the smells of the sweets coming from the Main Street Bakery to hot dogs and fries at Casey’s Corner were heavenly.
I was unexpectedly taken away when the final blow hit me. I saw my daughters’ faces as they took in Cinderella’s Castle for the first time. It was a look father’s see in their daughter’s when they hold them for the first time or walk them down the aisle. At that moment, I was in! The trip was worth it and I was a fully committed “Disney Dad.” That moment still sticks in my mind as fresh as the day I experienced it.
To this day, Walt Disney World has never disappointed us. It is still magical for me. It is the place where I deepened my love and commitment to making my family happy and fulfilled because of one of those special moments in life where the world slows down and reminds you what is important.
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