From Magical to Mundane

Let me preface this by apologizing if it is disjointed. I have mulled this over for going on three days now and still don't know how to pull my thoughts together so I will just lay them out here and see what happens

I took my family to Disney last week ( which I why I have been quiet here.) We left on Saturday morning and arrived at the hotel Saturday around 4:30. From the very beginning, I had planned this trip so that it could be as care free and worry free as possible. I desperately needed a break from work and all the worries that were here at home, so I couldnt think of a better place to go.

I had been there for the first time about 10 years ago, but that was as a band chaperone, so it was more like a working vacation than a true vacation. Just the same, I was so impressed with the atmosphere and the charm of Disney, that I made it one of my long term goals to bring my family back there someday. After 10 years, we finally did it.

We booked hotels so that we could be on the property, and use all the extra amenities, and we bought a meal plan so that we did not have to worry about what everything cost to eat. We bought airline tickets so that we did not have to drive. We planned this to be the best vacation we ever had, and Disney did not disappoint. I cannot say enough about this place. In four days on the property, I could not find one thing that needed repair, or had graffitti on it. You just did not see cast members with bad attitudes, or who looked bored or put out that you had a question for them. It was like opening day, every day. If you have not gone there, it is one of the things that every person should do at least once before they die.

We took cameras with us and shot more than 400 pictures. I am going to spend a fortune getting all of these printed, but I don't care.

But....and you knew there was a but coming didnt you...I actually came away from the vacation a bit confused, or perhaps introspective is the better word. I have some friends who are positively smitten with the whole Disney thing. Dan worked there at one time. His dream is to be an animator for Disney. He has Disney wall paper, Disney household accessories, like ice trays, and puts up a separate Christmas tree for all his Disney ornaments. Ernie is a store manager for the Disney store. He admits that he does not make much money, and that the franchise does not treat him well, but for reasons that he can't or won't explain, he will not leave for a better job. I always felt that they both were a bit looney.

Until now.

I guess it really started Saturday morning when we got to the park. We had reservations for a character breakfast, and were allowed into the park early. ( Magic Kingdom) I had been told by Dan and Ernie, that they would not have Christmas decorations up yet because they wait until after Thanksgiving. They were both wrong. All the scene needed was a little bit of snow, and it would have put Currier and Ives to shame. Add to that having Cinderella's castle as a back drop, and it was like stepping into a Christmas card or a fairy tale. Things got even better from there.

We spent Sunday in the Magic Kingdon, Monday at MGM, and most of Tuesday at Animal Kingdom. A cold front moved through on Monday, and brought some rain with it, so we had not gotten a chance to see the fireworks at Magic Kingdom until Tuesday night.

We lined up at 8:00 for the SpectroMagic parade that kicked off at 9. We had already seen it once, but I made it clear that I was not going home without seeing it again. An hour ahead of the parade, and people were already shoulder to shoulder. We managed to get a spot where the parade turned a corner so it was especially good.

I have been involved with pageantry all of my adult life, coaching marching band and color guard.

I have never seen, or even imagined something like what SpectroMagic parade was. You just have to see it. There is a website called SpectroMagic.com that I will post a link to if I can figure out how, but naturally, it wont give the full impact.

The fireworks display happened at 10:00.

The sky was clear, and the stars were out, and I stood gazing at the display with tears streaming from my eyes.

I still can't explain why.

I am glad it was dark.

I have been homesick many times in my life, but I really cannot remember a time when I regretted leaving where I was, like this time.

Ever since we got back, almost every other thought that has been on my mind has been about how to get back, and how soon.

When we get the pictures burnt to CD, I am going to put a copy in our safe deposit box.

I guess I can't tease Dan and Ernie any more. I am hooked, and I am glad for it.

I can't remember the last time I was that happy for that long, maybe my honeymoon, 13 years ago....

Well, back to the real world now.

Troubador