It had been such a long time since I had paid a visit the the "happiest place on earth" Walt Disney World Florida. Originally I had been there in May-June 1992. It was a whirlwind tour, staying off the resort and included other attractions other than Disney.
So much to see, so much to do. And I didn't do all I wished I had. Before I left, I voiced that I could not wait to see the classic rides, like the "Tea Cup ride" from Alice in Wonderland, and of course, Dumbo the flying elephant. By the time we had reached the Magic Kingdom, home of these classic rides, my mind was on overload, and i didn't even notice the rides, never mind get on them.
When I returned home to Newfoundland; a province on the east coast of Canada; I began to read the brochures I brought back with me. I was left somewhat disappointed when I realized I forgot to look for the rides, and realized how much I actually missed out on seeing! Since that visit my love of Disney grew, and grew and GREW! I couldn't wait to return. But, seems fate kept getting in my way. I would often visit their website, and see all the new attractions, and wondered what it would be like to ride them. I sometimes would even have dreams about visiting, but, like a nightmare, my dream would end just short of reaching my destination. To me, the symbol of Walt Disney World is the breathtaking Cinderella's Castle. I couldn't wait to see it again in person, and have my picture taken in front of it a dozen times. I wanted to just sit in front of it, and stare at it, until it was burned in my memory.
Fate, that simple little word. It seems to want to keep me away. My first visit came just a few months after I was married. The trip was with my new husband and his parents. It was the very first time I had traveled away from home, and I was very nervous about being in another country. But, as my love for Disney grew so did my fear of travel disappear. Finally we had a plan, spring of 1996. But, fate interfered again, in a good way. My only child was born late 1995. However, along with her birth came my husbands job loss, and my time off so, Disney had to wait. My in laws went as planned, and brought back nice things, and told me stories, but not the same.
So, we made plans again, however the tragic events of 9/11 delayed things again, and then in 2004 divorce came our way. My former in-laws wanted to take my daughter in 2005, I knew then that due to money issues, being a single mom and what have you, I could not take her myself, so I agreed to let her have that magical experience - without me. She did take lots of pictures, and got to meet all the characters, and I was happy she had the experience. But that made me even more determined to go there.
In late 2007 my 40th birthday was facing me. 40! Not my favorite number, and I wasn't' looking forward to it. One day, my sister and I were taking her new baby daughter to the mall to have her portraits taken, and next to the portrait studio was a travel agency. Of course what did they have displayed?? You guessed it, Disney World. I looked at my sister and said, "what I wouldn't give to get to go there now!" On our way home, my sister said to me, "Why don't you go online and do some research and see just what it would cost." I said sure. But both of us new that the cost would be too out of reach for me. I might want to go more than anything, but I am reasonable, and would never put myself in a financial pickle!!
So, I looked, and I priced and I found that fate was finally on my side. I found a deal that seemed 'too good to be true'. I called my sister and told her I found something, but I must be doing something wrong! She looked too. This deal was too good to pass up! But what about my daughter? What would she think of her mom going without her. lol. She didn't care, she shrugged her shoulders and said, "just bring me back something!" So, to celebrate my 40th birthday my sister and I were going to Disney World!
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