I fell for Disney World

"I thought Disney was an overpriced, tourist trap; I was wrong!"

By: Chris C. Nelson, Publisher

My idea of a good time is anywhere I can go with my son. Each weekend we pack in as much adventure as possible; from something as simple as a trip to Fleet Farm for a new inflatable (My six year old prefers to call them ‘up/downs’) to the creative-SpamTown USA in Austin, Minnesota. We visit family and friends and spend lots of quality time making memories.

Until now. We’ve reached a new level of fun.

Thinking Jack was the perfect age and against my better judgment, I recently booked a trip to the most magical place on earth. The idea of an over-priced, tourist-packed, sweltering hot visit to Walt Disney World over Spring Break really didn’t appeal to me. I dared those parents who have gone before me to change my mind. I was dead set on creating an experience that was fantastic for my son; I would find joy in his joy. I figured I’d be miserable. Boy, was I proven wrong.

I was blown away by the fantastical and magical Disney World. And let’s just say, I’m not easy to impress. We arrived on a Monday and until the hour our plane flew us back home on Friday, each minute was spent in awe of an experience we will never, ever forget.

Here are my TOP FIVE REASONS DISNEY IS THE BEST FOR SPRING BREAK. (It’s tough to narrow it down to five!)

1)  Family Fun. I planned on a trip geared toward my son. I was surprised to find I was equally enthralled with the experience. We hit Hollywood Studios that first warm and sunny day and found ourselves immersed in a land of fantasy and very real make-believe. All Jack talked about was visiting the Muppets on day one. In reality, he’d been talking obsessively about Muppet Vision 3D for weeks leading up to this moment. It isn’t just the show itself. It’s the moments leading up to it. The lines are long, but even the lines provide a little magic. It begins to fuel the imagination and even as an adult, you feel like you are in the world of Jim Henson and the muppets. To see Jack’s eyes lit up and hear him excitedly talking about his favorite characters; it’s indescribable as a parent. I found myself getting a little giddy and the day only got better from there.

2)  As I wrote above, the experience is unlike any other. From the music, to the colors, to the customer service, to the smells. There is a child-like magic that flows throughout all the Disney Parks. And it’s contagious. There is no age limit to the experience and I would describe myself as living proof. Stepping foot inside Magic KIngdom and seeing before us the very symbol of Disney World- Cinderella’s Castle. I risk sounding a little cheesy here, but even as a father/son duo with ideas of what we wanted to see and do, the castle will get you every time. The size. The beauty. The bright blue sky set as a backdrop, bringing the enchantment alive. I was impressed by the fantasy lands that families around the world have experienced and never forgotten.

3)  I mentioned customer service. Wow. Jack and I stayed at the All Star Movie Resort. From the person in the gift shop to the smiles of the cashier at the restaurant- there wasgenuine care from the staff at our resort and also at each park we visited. The bus ride to and from was magical, to say the least, and unlike some transportation experiences I’ve had, our drivers were hands down top notch. I was impressed with the cordial greetings and goodbyes. The prompt transportation system that ran efficiently. It helped take a little worry off my mind and made getting to and from way easier than I anticipated.

4)  Did I mention the MAGIC? Jack got a chance to ride his first roller coaster. The sheer joy emulating from him throughout the minutes-long ride was worth every second spent waiting for the ride. The moments leading up to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad got us in the Frontier Land spirit. The attention to detail! It felt like we had wandered into the Old West- and I knew we would never forget this moment. And after the coaster, it was watching Jack in a furry embrace with one of the Country Bears; a mischievous character who pretended to walk away with my little guy. We were in the experience! And it felt real! WIth the sunshine on our faces, we lined the streets to watch Disney princesses and heroes walk the parades-happy and fun-loving; a care-free spirit far away from the midwestern winter weather and real deadlines of life. It was pretty awesome.

5)  Like I’ve said, it’s really a place for any age. I found myself in awe at Animal Kingdom. I was on a safari with my six year old. We were witnessing creatures from other continents in their habitat. It was right in front of us. We white water rafted in the Kali River Rapids and laughed and screamed our way into memories of a lifetime. There truly wasn’t a moment that I regretted our choice of ride or entertainment. All the way down to the Mickey Mouse themed food. Each moment. Each meal. Each experience-magical. I would recommend Disney World to any parent, to any family, looking to bring fantasy alive for their loved ones.

So yeah. I’m sold. I’m that guy. I bought into all of it. And I don’t regret it. I guess you’d feel the same if you saw the look on Jack’s face, too. Yes, it can be pricey and yes, there are crowds. And sometimes, my stomach didn’t agree with the rides. But I can see the great value in the Walt Disney World experience. Would we go back? You bet. Jack and I are trying to line up the dates for next year.