Steady as She Goes
October 29th, 2012
At 8 AM, I'll go. No, I won't.
At 10 AM, I'll go. Ugh, no, I just don't want to drive. The left and right sides of my mind are in such an argument.
12 PM is not gonna do it. I ain't going, I don't care, my mind is made up.
3 PM What was that pop? Shit, the power is out due to light winds from Hurricane Sandy.
"Let's go, boys. We are going to Disney World! That's right, surprise! I didn't want to spoil your surprise, but I can't hold in the suspense any longer! I've been planning it all day!"
These long road trips are good for the soul. Still, they're also hard to travel at times because, well, whereas before I thought thinking was good for me, there is too much thinking in my brain now. Now, my mind stretches like this highway, off into infinity. So, I try to distract myself by pretending to keep the car between the lines. But of course, with my precious cargo in the backseats of the van, I keep the van's wheels straight, and it's steady as she goes.
The boys get lost in TV, while I lose myself in my mind (in a good way). When you have time to think, memories come at you as fast as those tail lights from the cars that were once off in the distance, and they now come screaming toward you as I close the distance in my minivan. Sometimes, I wish to slam on my brakes on a specific memory and ask myself, "What the hell were you thinking?" But life doesn't afford anyone those opportunities.
But this is a pleasure trip. An escape from reality. It's time to put those thoughts to rest at the nearest stop because Disney World is approaching, and it's time to let the fun begin!
I have learned now that I need to find help for the little things to make the trip more tolerable.
Unfortunately, it's the little things that cost money.
Valet, yes. <cha ching>
Baggage check, yes. <cha ching>
Premium room close to activities, yes. <cha ching>
Room service, yes. <cha ching>
In the name of good times, I'm a glutton for punishment and over-exhaustion. Still, during my overachieving quest for fun, I find that my mind wanders into the depths of deep thought. I find myself trying harder to lose track of the things that lie in wait, distracting me from my steadiness and making me fret about returning home from our adventures.
The need not to be around the area where I reside when I have my long weekends off from work compels me to fill the days with as many activities as I can. Like my boys filling their voids of time by playing, I am using my time, consumed with checking us into our hotel ...
"Yes, guys, the doors open automatically. It is truly amazing what happens when those electronic devices sense you have a soul," I tell the boys as they stand in the doorway.
The boys love the automatic doors. I could have gone to the mall and allowed them to use their presence to open and close the entrance doors, which saved a lot of money.
The Disney staff smiles at me as the boy tangoes with the doors, but who am I to cut into their dance and ruin the mood? Besides, the distraction allows me to complete the check-in process.
Now, off to Epcot madness.
"Here we are, Epcot," I announce to the boys while the song, "When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are..." plays in the background.
The boys jump out of the stroller and head towards the large Epcot sphere. Okay, the golf ball-looking thing. They point and shout in amazement at something so significant; to them, it is incredible...
Oh, yes, and so is the automatic door by the gift store; as I was saying, they love those doors, and now... they're playing with them.
Open...
...close...
open...
...close...
"Okay, guys, the door concept is down. Open, close. Now, ready for some magic time?"
We rode a few rides and ate a late dinner at the closest dining hall. My sons are so brave. While I waited for our food, they courageously fought off the large plant in front of the stairs to prevent people from going up to the upper-level dining area that was closed for the evening.
Once they heroically cast off the makeshift green-leafed terror, they tackled the stairs leading to the upper seating area. While there, they diligently patrolled the stairs...
Up...
....down...
up...
down...
Their actions prevented other guests from entering the forbidden areas. Well, that's what I told the manager who told me to get my kids, anyhow...
We make it back to our room, where our luggage is waiting for us. Dropped off by the service, I'm beaten and know the boys will crash. It's 11PM, and they must be tired.
Guys, it's 12 AM; you must be tired.
Okay, it's 1 AM time for bed; you are tired!
Well, at least they will sleep in. We will all sleep in. We had such a long day.
"Daddy, iPad, please."
"Huh, Nico, what. What time is it?"
Ugh, it's 7:53 AM.
We will all get up, enjoy breakfast, and visit Disney Animal Park.
After caring for all the early morning needs, we are off to the overpriced Disney dining hall. But man, is it beautiful. Disney knows how to make an impression.
The look of the land makes one feel like one is on the Louisiana Bayou. It's a swamp land paradise. A river runs next to the restaurant, while the power of the water turns the large 4-story wheel that churns the water. Willy Wonka would be proud. Docks line the sides where one could play a frolic on the outside banks of the mighty Mississippi.
The dining hall is made out of cedar. The naked beams give you the feeling and warmth of a large cabin, but with lots of people jockeying for food position. Ahhh, just like home. We are ready to eat! And the boys are prepared to enjoy their breakfast.
"No, guys, Cheetos is not breakfast."
"No, Doritos."
"Put down the lollipops; it's breakfast, for God's sake."
After I enjoyed my breakfast, we headed to Disney's Animal Kingdom. This should be fun. They are going to love it.
After the long walk to the entrance, we walked to Dinosaur Land. This should be great; Jurassic Park's movie was excellent, and so will this!
We entered the Dinosaur area, and the only thing there that was fossilized was the old parking lot where Disney placed this amusement stuff in evident haste to add more kid things to do.
The old parking spaces have been there since yesteryear. The old blacktop driving surface with its yellow lines was still fossilized in time. The white turn arrows for traffic directions were still in the same spaces. Wow, Disney pulled out all the stops!
After hours of walking around and not witnessing anyone jump in the animal pits and being bored, we drove back to the hotel for some rest and relaxation before we went to the Magic Kingdom later in the evening. I do not suggest Animal Kingdom for a 3 and 4-year-old. Just nothing really to do.
Time to Rest...
3:30 PM Take a nap, guys.
4:15 PM You boys look sleepy, so go to bed and nap.
5:30 PM "Huh, What? I must have dozed off. You guys are still up? Okay, it's Disney time.
We traveled in style to the happiest place on earth, the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, on the monorail, the boy's new obsession.
The hordes of people were overwhelming. The crowds were thick. The people were bunched up and crammed together four wide like the last turn at Daytona Speedway, racing for the checkered flag. The people trying to leave the park approached us like the living dead, who were ready to take us out while we tried to enter the park. If you weren't fast enough, the masses would swallow you up, and you'd never be heard from again. It was a battle of the wills, a cage match of warm bodies and bad attitudes. And that was just the Disney Characters.
After riding out with many people and dealing with happy parents worldwide, we enjoyed our favorite rides until it was time to call it a night. The boys were beaten. It was close to midnight, and we had been on the go nonstop since early morning. They surely sleep now. I mean, they were going to sleep as soon as possible. Well, I'm hoping they were tired.
"Guys, are you tired? Boys? Yes, open the doors and let the people out. Yes, they are automatic... Yes, it looks like fun... aren't you tired?"
Life moves as fast. As fast as those boys, the trick is finding the happy medium and keeping it steady as she goes.
1,516 words
Comments
Post a Comment