"Let's do this," I told my boys once we arrived at Walt Disney World yet again. These trips are becoming a right of passage for my boys. And they are sure acting cocky about our frequent visits. They're likely not spoiled due to our Disney trips. Even though I went for my birthday in July, again in August, September, and now this October for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. After all, this family does hold annual passes, and the intent of the annual pass is to go frequently, isn't it?
The boys are respectful, though, not selfish during these trips; they are polite and friendly and care for those around them, especially guests of Disney World. My boys act as unofficial hosts to the arriving visitors as if these people were visiting our very home. However, when Nico and Christopher walk around any Walt Disney Resort, they act as if they have lived there forever and know a thing they can teach other guests.
"Oh, the pool?" Christopher asks a bewildered guest.
Walk down the path until you see a green pole with a sign that reads Building 1; make a left, a right, follow the path, and then you'll see the gate for the pool."
That was mighty nice of him. If only Christopher knew if those were the right directions to get lost guests to their final destination. However, this was his place, and he was polite and sincere.
"Food?" Nico asks a 9-year-old, "Well, I like the chicken nuggets or pizza. Give me a side of fries and wash it down with Nestle Quick Chocolate Milk. The dining area has the perfect place for those items, but you may like their other variety of choices. More than my own favorites."
Nico may not have said that much to the bored 9-year-old. But he helped out as much as he could regarding his food choice and helping with a hard decision. Albeit choices from a picky six-year-old to a picky 9-year-old may be a losing situation! He still strutted away like he had given good advice and felt like the unofficial Walt Disney World Ambassador. It's like both boys are proud of their Disney lineage.
Disney parks like the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios are where most people want to go. Still, there is so much to do at a Disney resort. I recommend exploring them if you can stay out of the parks for at least one day; I suggest enjoying the hotel for its many amenities.
We stayed at Disney's relatively new Disney Art and Animation Resort on this trip. There was so much my boys wanted to touch and play with as we walked down the life-like Radiator Springs, while the surrounding area felt like Ornament Valley. I felt safe if I turned my back for a second on my boys. I knew they would only go so far due to the stimulation of the cartoon world of Cars, the movie, and its captivation on them in this controlled environment. They also have theme rooms for Finding Nemo, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid.
The scenery was incredible as we were walking to our rooms. This little slice of earth was transformed from the big screen and placed here by the Imagineers who took it from the minds of Pixar's imagination. This Disney environment could have been like Toon Town if we were in the real life of Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Our emotions had that type of feeling that these characters were going to talk any minute!
Instead of Roger Rabbit, we had Lighting McQueen, Mater, Sally, Doc Hudson, Flo, Ramone, Flo, Sarge, and that's just a few. We were in the world of Disney's movie Cars. I wanted these life-like cars that seemed to drive right off the silver screen and onto the resort grounds to speak to us.
The boys were running down the sidewalks painted like an actual roadway from Route 66 to Radiator Springs. I have to admit, though, that I felt like a hypocrite telling the boys to get out of the road when they were playing at home, and here I am, letting them play in a simulated roadway.
My sons, Nico and Christopher, loved it. I loved it. And we enjoyed what this imaginary world gave us because this resort removed us all from the daily dealings of what life has stored for us daily. And forgetting about the world's reality is what anyone can ever ask for. Whether it's a two-hour movie, a quick trip out of town, or a hobby that clears our minds.
Escaping our lives to enjoy our children's lives represents all that we are when we choose to be parents. And why not use our yearly passes to enjoy our children's laughter and remind us what it meant to be young?
Go on, boys, this is your Disney. You're the hosts, so let your imagination run wild, but take me along for the ride. But please make sure, as hosts, I can ride with Lightening McQueen.
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