I mentioned before that we went to Disney World right before Thanksgiving. Now, I have to tell you the truth. I wasn’t entirely excited about going to Disney. While I do have very fond memories of visiting Disney when I was a kid (It’s a Small World! 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea! Dumbo!), I couldn’t help but think about how exhausting it was going to be taking 2 kids and being the responsible parent.
But then, I saw these faces and it made it all worth it. Eyes wide, jaws dropped open, stunned and huge smiles. They could care less about the castles and rides. They just wanted to see Mickey, Minnie and all the characters. Even Everett was left speechless except for saying, “I want to give Mickey a big, big hug!”
Now I understand why Disney is described as magical. Even though I think that Jasper is on to the whole gig (he kept asking me if there was a “real person” in there – “there” being Minnie), it was a dream come true for two little boys.
What’s your magical memory?
{Linking up with Alison and Galit for Memories Captured}
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Le sigh.
Love this! I can’t wait to take my kids and see those same exact sweet, magical looks in their eyes!
One more time: Le sigh.
xo
Galit Breen recently posted..My Life in Numbers {Memories Captured Linky!}
The look in their eyes when we got there? So amazing and honestly gave me tingles.
I was 9 when I went to Disneyland in Hollywood. and I was still taken in by the magic! (though I did know there were real people in the costumes, hehe) So sweet to see that your boys had a wonderful time.
As much as I wanted to be a curmudgeon about Disney, I couldn’t deny the magic of the place.
I so so so need to get my girl there.
Oh she would love it.
Although we never went to a Disney park with our kids, we went on a Disney cruise when our girls were 7th and 9th graders. We went with my entire family, parents, 6 siblings, spouses, kids down to 9 months old—about 40 of us. The children’s smiles and laughter just lit up the ship. Disney really sets the bar for magical!
Kim recently posted..Go ahead and make my day: Ask for help!
I’ve heard great things about the Disney cruise! That sounds like an incredible trip. We went on a cruise last summer for my mom’s birthday/family reunion. I thought that 23 of us was a lot but 40! Wow!
Yes-having so many on a trip can make for excitement of the not-so-exciting-kind and potential blog posts.
We went to celebrate my parent’s retirement from the family business. We said that being on the boat gave us all room to be together and very importantly, room to be apart as well.
We’ve done Royal Caribbean, too, a couple of times, as a large group, and they were wonderful. But nobody, but nobody, does hospitality like Disney.
Kim recently posted..Go ahead and make my day: Ask for help!
I remember Disneyland as a child and it was magical, as you say. I bring my kids there now and, it’s so crowded, you wait 2 hours for a 30 second ride… but they love it and, still talk about it. Now, the things that are magical to me are so small, like a smile on my kids face, or a beautiful sunset.
Lisa @ RunWiki recently posted..Nuun Lemon Lime Christmas Punch
I’m totally with you on the small things – those truly are the magical moments.
My family spent a month in Hana, Maui when I was 8 years old. Still the most magical memory of my life. My brother, sister and I literally roamed the island like adventurers. I can’t imagine that memory ever being eclipsed.
Jonathan Aluzas recently posted..Fitness Formula: 7 More Ways to Save December!
That sounds like a pretty amazing memory and so much fun!
Ha! I do think that Disney is super magical! It makes me so excited!!!
Becky @ RunFunDone recently posted..The Best News of the Century!
Awesome, awesome pics! You always do such a great job!
I think for me, it’s a series of moments at our favorite spot in the Adirondacks. We have so many great memories there and thankfully, we’ve captured many of them!
misszippy recently posted..Must you hit a wall?
I bet you have some pretty amazing memories up in the Adirondacks. That’s what I kind of hope we can create for our family – our family spot somewhere outside of NYC. Maybe not as flashy as Disney
That is amazing! I remember going to Disney my first time. I was a bit older (around 12), but we still had a blast! I remember all I wanted to do was lay out in the sun and get a tan (I was always jealous of my friends that went to Florida and came back with a tan in the middle of winter), unfortunately, Florida was experiencing crazy cold weather and major rain storms. Sadly, no tan for me, but we do have some great photos of the family in our rain ponchos!
Michelle recently posted..Rebuilding My Base – Taking Exercise One Step at a Time
haha! That’s a great memory. We were expecting warmer weather when we were down there but it was FREEZING and rainy.
I remember Disney being magical when I was a kid, but I never really understood magical until I took my own kid. It is so worth the crowds and the lines and the heat and everything that goes along with traveling with kids to have that moment when they get to stand with Mickey and take a picture. Priceless.
Tracie recently posted..The Perfect Christmas Card and Letter
I felt very much the same way Tracie – didn’t get the fuss about Disney until we brought the kids. Totally made all the hassle worth it.
I’ve sadly never been there :/ My parents had every intention to take us – but they wanted us all to be old enough to enjoy it…well they kept having more kids. By the time my youngest sis was old enough, my parents were separated and finances were tough…I can’t imagine the cost of taking 4 little girls to disney!! I’m happy to hear that your boys loved it – my husband thinks it’s mostly aimed at little girls…but I still want to take AJ and Ryan!!!
Michele @ Nycrunningmama recently posted..Race for Recovery Giveaway Winners
Michele – all I can say is be thankful you have two little boys to take to Disney
I’d imagine taking even just one little girl to Disney would be so expensive with all the princess stuff! I thought it was all princess stuff too but they enjoyed meeting the characters and the rides. They were familiar with some of the other stuff too and it’s such a spectacle in some ways (a good way). You should take the boys. 3 and 5.5 years old was good.
What a cutie! I miss having annual passes to Disney
Lori recently posted..This week in workouts {Dec 2-8}
Thanks Lori!
So sweet! We went once as kids, and I have good memories, too. L only recently figured out who Mickey and Minne were through YouTube videos… I think we’ll have to get there someday!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..TriGirl Half Marathon Recap
I thought that we were going to get away with not taking the kids to Disney but I’m really glad that we did. It was worth it.
I just took my son to Disney for the first time and was amazed by how magical it was for him and for my husband and I. I’m glad your lil guys had a good time. Stopping by from memories captured.
Julia recently posted..Time for Trains
Thanks Julia. I was pretty amazed too at how magical it was. I wasn’t quite expecting it.
my magical memory is the same as yours, my friend. I had no desire to go to Disney but could not refuse Fiona’s wish when she changed her mind last week while we were in Orlando. Her awe made it well worth it. Now, to get my other 2 down there…
ilene recently posted..The Pause
It made me smile when I saw your pictures at Disney World. I’m glad that Fiona changed her mind. I even got caught up in the moment when Cinderella’s castle lit up!
My girls haven’t been since they were 4 and 2 and they still talk about it and go through their autograph book. It truly is a magical place through children’s eyes. You just have to open your own eyes up wide enough to glimpse it and you are immediately taken in.
So glad you all had such a great time!
Kristen recently posted..Tweens Think They Have All The Answers
You’re so right about opening your eyes wide enough to let the magic in. I wanted to be a curmudgeon about it all but am so glad that I wasn’t.
I’ve never been to Disney! I always wished we would have gone as kids. It’s funny that my kids are just now getting into Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. In fact, they sing the theme song all the time. We’ll be making the trip soon!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Under Armour Sports Bra Giveaway!
ohmygosh someone is singing the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse song in our house all.the.time.
So awesome! I’ve been dreaming of taking my son there since I was pregnant with him! He is 4 now, so the time to go should be soon!
Betsy recently posted..Where Did My Motivation Go?
I think 4 is a good age. My boys are 3 and 5.5 years old and I think that they were old enough to know what was going on but also still more apt to be caught up in the magic of it all.
Just showed hubs your boys’ pics…they are super adorable!!
Kat recently posted..Birthday Race Recap: Holiday Halfathon
Oh, those smiles! It does truly look magical. I would love to take our boys someday!
Kim@Co-Pilot Mom recently posted..Big Little Boy
Thanks Kim! It was more than I was expecting it to be.
Seeing the magic through their eyes is something that I can never put words to. It’s amazing. We just took our kids last month (probably right before you were there!) and watching the magic of Disney through them almost brought tears to my eyes.
Kimberly recently posted..Just Believe
Exactly Kim. I’m not normally overly emotional or sentimental but this experience totally got to me.
AWWWW, I absolutely LOVE those pictures!
Disney is magical!
thedoseofreality recently posted..Top 10 Pinterest Recipes We Would Make…If We Actually Cooked
Thank you!!
I HEART DISNEY!! It’s always some of my favorite memories from childhood and I still light up when we go as adults. I’m such a kid at heart.
Heather @ Better With Veggies recently posted..Colorful Quinoa {MMAZ #22}
Such great pictures! Disney is a magical place. I remember 20,000 leagues! It’s not there anymore, though. (which of course, you know). It is work to go, but well worth it!
Adrienne recently posted..tick, tock.
It’s definitely work and well worth it. It’s funny because when we first got to Magic Kingdom, I was wondering around looking for 20,000 leagues! My husband, who hadn’t been to Disney before, thought that I was totally nuts.
Those pictures are precious and I’m sure your kids will have a really wonderful memories about that special time at Disney.
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