So why Disney World?

We are always asked by friends "why are you going to Disney World again??", and we don't believe we have ever adequately been able to answer that question. As a matter of fact, we always asked Russ' sister why they went each year and never really understood their answer. Back in 1995 we actually met Terri and her family in Orlando and even after spending a week with them, felt that the trip was not entirely worthwhile.

In 2003 for Russ' 50th birthday we again made the trek staying at the Yacht Club on the Disney property for one week. After that visit, we seemed to understand. We admitted that we enjoyed the visit and thought that we would have to do it again someday. Well, this is now our fifth trip since January 2005! I guess we can understand why people ask why.

The only answer we can give is that it is truly a magical place. A place where you can be amazed, laugh, and cry all at the same time. A place that talks about man and all animal and plant life "living in perfect harmony". A place with amazing theming and attention to detail. A place where you can feel like you are actually in Morocco when visiting that pavilion in Epcot.

Disney World is always looking to the future but never forgets the past. It is a place where parents bring their children just like their parents brought them to enjoy many of the same classic rides. It is not an amusement park with thrill-a-minute rides but one that always let's you walk away with having learned something about life. It's Fantasyland, Frontierland, Tomorrowland, Adventureland, and Main Street U.S.A., and that's just at the Magic Kingdom. And with Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Disney/MGM Studios there is always something new to see and do. We have not seen everything and probably never will. Even our favorite rides that we go on every trip always offer something new that we had not noticed before.

When the line is short, we enjoy getting our pictures taken with the many characters that roam around the parks (Russ is convinced that Minnie has a crush on him.) We enjoy seeing the look on a small child's face as they see Cinderella or Mickey for the first time. We also smile when we see tired parents dragging their children back to the hotel at the end of the day and think to ourselves "ah, there but for the grace of God". We have dined at most of the restaurants and have always enjoyed our meal and have never felt out of place even at those that offer character dining. The Dole Whips are great as are the Mickey Ice Cream Bars! The parades and nightly fireworks always amaze and always allow you to finish your day with a smile on your face.

Disney World is probably not for everyone, but everyone should try to make it at least once. Our favorite time is the first couple weeks of December when all the hotels and parks are decorated for the Christmas season and the crowds are low. Weather generally ranges in the 50s with a light jacket or sweatshirt needed in the evening. This is also the time when the Candelight Processional is a nightly fixture at Epcot. Held every year, the it is an event not to be missed. A mass choir, joined by a 50-piece live orchestra and a celebrity narrator, tell the story of Christmas in words and music, in a very moving performance and has left us sitting there just totally enjoying the moment.

We could go on and on but until you catch the fever, you will probably never understand. Disney World is about everything that is good and decent. It is not perfect, but they do everything they can to make it seem that way.