Fast forward a few (short) years and my dream came true. I was at Disneyland with a boy who loved it about 100 times more than I did, celebrating our recent marriage. Truth be told, neither of us can remember anything about this trip except the fact we were exhausted, but a tradition was born.
The only thing better than experiencing Disneyland yourself is watching your kids experience it. It is...magical! And I'll be frank--navigating 6 kids through the parks on a baking hot August day is it's own brand of exquisite pain. (But on the flip side, after years of taking 6 kids to Disneyland you will experience a new joy when you return as a couple once again). I know what you skeptics are saying: it's crowded and cliche and ridiculously expensive. And you would be right. But that doesn't stop me from tearing up a little every time the welcome music plays each morning and crying a little at the closing refrain of Fantasmic.
Because to us, going to Disneyland is like going home. Walking through the gates I can remember the look on 3 year old Davis's face as he saw the castle for the first time. Memories of each child riding their first "big" ride (usually after much cajoling/bribing) and Kennedy's visit with a real life Disney princess are so sweet. We have celebrated birthdays, lost teeth, (lost children )and even experienced a full on brother brawl in the middle of the Blue Ribbon Bakery on Main Street. We have had countless visits with friends and family, performances with the high school band and the dance company and introduced a daughter in law to the magic of Disneyland.
It's still ridiculously expensive. I know we are fortunate to be able to make this a tradition and I try not to take it for granted. We forego other things in life because we love Disneyland so much. It's crowded--and getting more so. (I'm still hoping they figure out an answer to this dilemma) And it's cliche, so cliche. But that doesn't stop me from going back each year. Because it's just so...magical.
We all have things like this that make up our family culture. Maybe it's a yearly backpacking trip. Maybe it's renting a house at the beach. Maybe it's a cabin in the mountains. Sure, Disneyland is fun but it's the memories we make each time that make it special--and memories can be made anywhere. So I'm curious: What is YOUR Disneyland? Why do you love it and how did it become your family culture? (And more importantly, when am I invited??)
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