I Was Open to Being Flexible.
Over spring break, we went to Disney World. Affording it is impossible, of course, so Bill worked through some of his “vacation.” And the crowds were unfathomable.
But with months of prior planning, we were able to pull it off and have a marvelous time. I spent hours on the computer, researching where and when to go, and how to traverse the parks for minimal waits. We had every minute of every day meticulously planned – although I was open to being flexible, which came in handy.
During one delightful Disney day, though, Dylan said, “Why can’t Shane and me just go and do what we want to do?”
I allowed the poor grammar. “That doesn’t sound like much of a family vacation,” I said.
“I’d be with my family,” he retorted. “Shane is my brother. But I wouldn’t have you pulling me where you want to go and making us go with you.”
I flashed back to several weeks earlier, when Shane so sweetly asked, “I know the answer is probably no, and that’s okay. But do you think that Dylan and me could kind of run around just by ourselves when we’re at Disney World?”
I’m not sure what they envisioned. I doubt it involved having the park filled to capacity with hot, sweaty bodies, noise in every conceivable direction, and sticky toddlers darting out at every turn.
But I told both kids – at separate times – that I would consider their requests. I talked to Bill and he said it would be okay, if we knew their general area and Dylan had his phone with him.
So on Wednesday, we did a little … experiment. The kids had been begging to play a game called Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, with Mickey Mouse cards and portals strategically placed throughout the park.
By noon, we were way ahead of our planned schedule. So I took a chance.
“All right, guys,” I said, “you have a little more than one hour. If you want to play your game, go. I’ll meet you at the Splash Mountain Fastpass entrance at 2:00. But don’t be late, or you won’t get this chance ever again!”
“But Shane lost the map,” Dylan said. So we went and got three more maps for the Sorcerers game.
Then, in the midst of approximately 80,000 people, I set them free.
I didn’t worry. I really didn’t worry. I crossed the park and went into Carousel of Progress and enjoyed my show. Exactly 21 minutes later I came out, checked the clock, and hopped on the nearby People Mover.
Just then, I got a text from Dylan: This game was a huge letdown. None of the spells did anything. So we just kept walking all over the place and ending up doing nothing.
Sorry… I wrote back. I will be back on that side of the park in 15 minutes.
Then the People Mover stalled, and I texted Dylan saying I would be late.
The crowds were so thick, I almost couldn’t cross the park. I was pushing my way past wheelchairs and strollers (which tend to break up crowds) and shoving my way through with “excuse me”s until I finally got to Splash Mountain, where the boys were waiting, a bit sad about their wasted hour.
Dylan said, “You’re late. I don’t know if I can ever trust you again if you are going to show up late!”
He made his point.
Then he let it drop, and we went on with our well-planned day, avoiding the crowds and heading back to our hotel before 4:00. To say we got the most out of our park time would be a gross understatement.
Plus, the kids had their “running around” time together – with, hopefully, a lesson learned about planning and crowds.
Well, actually, I doubt they learned anything at all. But I wouldn’t change a thing.