Disney Done Right

I had been to Disney at 5, 8, 12, 17, and 25. DW had never set foot in California despite his travels throughout the Caribbean. I mean he'd been to Cuba, come on, man! With my parents and sister and bro-in-law along for the ride, it was time to take Z & X at 6 & 4. I was stoked, DW, not so much. He'll take snow and solitude over sun and crowds any day. But, I knew he wanted to go just to see the joy on their faces, and I knew I had won, when, after It's a Small World, he said, "That was worth it," while looking adoringly at Z who could barely stay on the boat she was so excited. When I was 5, that was my favorite, DW had been adamant that he wouldn't even get on it, but he did. What a nice guy.

X got to meet Spider-Man and loved the Cars ride and Peter Pan. If you ask Z her favorite ride, "Matterhorn." Even though we spent an hour and a half in line trying to convince her to go on it, to which she refused; then, the next day she had made up her mind, and now it's her favorite. Did I say an hour and a half? Yes, I did. Now believe me, I researched the shit out of Disneyland before our trip to avoid just such a scenario, 20 pins later, I had my backpack with my wet wipes, an impossibly small folding blanket, a first aid kit, water bottles, and snacks galore, but here we were melting in line, arguing with Z; she leaves with my mom and sister just as we're about to get on, and the ride breaks down. I can see that look on DW's face, smirking, thinking, I won. I roll my eyes, and we make the best of it with a fast pass for any ride we want, right now. So, to Splash Mountain we go while Z, Cissy, and Get are off on their own adventure making memories.

Now, back home, the kids pretend they're on rides and Z talks to the Pooh Bear X got her when he was born about when she met the real Pooh at Disneyland, and I just smile because we won.   These memories will last a lifetime, Z will never forget how "we were all brave together" on Matterhorn Mountain just like I'll never forget how my dad made The Haunted Mansion my favorite ride when I was 5 even though I was in tears as the elevator began to lengthen. If you're going, pack your backpack but don't forget to enjoy the magic. This time, my favorite memory is X riding on daddy's shoulders eating a churro. Nothing like a little pixie dust. I win, love.