From the moment you approach Disney World property you begin to sense this magnetic force pulling you into the place where “Dreams Come True.” It’s a feeling that no matter how much time you spend in the parks it’s never enough. Spending a day at Walt Disney World can be a very magical experience but it can also be exhausting.
There are times when getting through a day in the parks is no small task even for the seasoned Disney fan. It could be the crowds, the intense heat and humidity, or cranky members of your traveling party. No matter how magical the parks are there is a certain stress level that one must contain and overcome. Even under the best of circumstances making your day in the park a magical one can be physically draining.
How many of you have spent a day or two in the parks where at some point you feel like you just can’t go on? How many of you give in and give up to go back to your resort? I’ll bet not many give up and leave the parks. There’s something about us Disney fans that keeps us going and moving forward. Maybe you’ll get a text message from someone you’ve wanted to meet up with and then all of a sudden you have a burst of energy and off you go to meet that person. Perhaps you see a tweet that Test Track has a 5 minute wait and before you know it you’re there with that twinkle in your eye and enough energy to make it through until they kick you out of the park at closing time.
I remember a couple of trips back my wife went back to our resort room with our daughter so me and my son decided to head over to the Magic Kingdom for Extra Magic Hours. I was beat from spending the better part of the day at Animal Kingdom in a heat so severe that even the zebras and elephants were screaming for the air conditioner to be turned on. I didn’t take a break the entire day to rest my weary bones. My feet were burning so badly it felt like I was walking barefoot on hot charcoals. I looked like death warmed over but, being in Disney I did have a smile on my face. My son must have been feeling sorry for me. He looked at me and said “dad do you want to go back to the room and go to sleep?” I looked him in the eyes and said, son I’m too tired to stop now! Then, I dug deep down inside for every ounce of energy I could muster. I never thought about quitting or giving up. All I could think about was reaching the top of Space Mountain. So, we continued on into the wee hours of the morning. We went through the Haunted Mansion a couple of times, saw Mickey’s Philharmagic, and went on Buzz Lightyear too! I must confess my son demolished me on that attraction. We then had time to go on the Jungle Cruise, and I think we did Pirates of the Carribean four times in a row. We also had time for a Dole Whip. I even got up early the next day energized and ready to go back to the parks and do it all over again.
When you’re a Disney fan you learn never to give up and the word quit isn’t in our vocabulary. Just like Walt said, “it’s kind a fun to do the impossible.”
Magical Zone Mentions:
Since starting WDW Fan Zone with Lisa Battista a goal of ours has been to explore ways we can get you our readers more involved with the site. So, in the next few days we will be launching two new features that will give you the opportunity to do just that. One feature is designed to answer any Disney related questions you have and that starts on Monday. The other new feature starts tomorrow and it’s guaranteed to whet your appetite.
If you think that’s all we have planned think again! Plans will soon be getting underway for an event to take place next year in the great state of New Jersey and that’s WDW Fan Zone Fest 2012. We are currently looking for volunteers who live in New Jerseyto help assist in planning the event. If you are interested in helping out please contact me stuart@wdwfanzone.com.
There is so much more we have planned for WDW Fan Zone that at the moment I am not at liberty to discuss however, we ask that you please keep checking our site, our Facebook page, and my tweets for more information.
Stuart Sternberg is the co-creator and part owner of WDW Fan Zone you can find and follow him on twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/DisneyGeekDad.
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Stuart…you just described me to a T. I never stop…in fact my family asks me if I am ever want to go back to the room for a nap. I never want to…we do though because the kids need it. I cannot wait for the days of no breaks…but I will say that I am always in pain…lol. Great post!
The great man is he who does not lose his child’s-heart. ~ Mencius, Book IV
Stuart – I loved this! I am the same way in Disney. When my kids were really little, we did take a break for naps, but otherwise, we did as much as we could in what time we had. Great article!