Pre-trip Report : Advanced Manifestation in Creating Your Reality or “How I Got My Act Together and Went to WDW” - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Pre-trip Report : Advanced Manifestation in Creating Your Reality or “How I Got My Act Together and Went to WDW”
Warning : this is a LONG report – and probably a bit different than the norm – but I feel it’s best if you’re going to read about our plans to visit the World, then you’d best start by knowing a bit about my background… Planning a trip to WDW has been a journey for me, in every sense of the word!
I’ve never been to Walt Disney World. Ever. I remember being a little girl, and watching “The Wonderful World of Disney” every Sunday evening, getting so excited the moment Tinkerbell flew out across the television screen. To me, the epitome of “Disney-ness” was The Haunted Mansion – I wanted sooo much to go inside and see ghosts and be scared and have the time of my life.
And even though we spent our family vacation every spring in Florida, we never went to WDW. We explored all the odd and touristy spots you can imagine: Silver Springs, Weeki Watchee, Cyprus Gardens, Marineland, St. Augustine – and finally, to Busch Gardens and Sea World. But for some unknown reason, my parents refused to take me to Disney World. I have no idea what motivated them to Avoid the Mouse at All Costs . Ah, well – such is the life of a child! I still had my dreams, but vowed when Igot to be a mom, I would take my kids to Disney World if they wanted to go!
Skip ahead to my twenties as a stay-at-home mom with her first two little ones. Disney released “The Little Mermaid” – which was to turn my 15 mo. old daughter’s life upside down! Everything was “the ..Maid, the.. Maid!” (no pronouncing Mermaid at this point!) We bought her a little nightgown with an image of Ariel on the front; she carried the nightgown around with her all day, hugging it as if it were a doll….which led to buying her first ‘fashion doll’ (a.k.a. “Barbie”) – Ariel, of course! Now she carried “Air-rol” everywhere. Next, enter “Duck Tales”, “Chip-n- Dale’s Rescue Rangers” and “Goof Troop” – my 3 yr. old son was hooked! Disney Dreams had begun again!!
Little did I know then that in a few short years I would go from being a stay-at-home mom planning a trip to WDW, to a single mom - working simply to pay the bills and keep food on the table. I still desperately wantedto take my kids to Disney – it’s just at that point in my life, life was simply happening to me – I had no idea how to get myself going in the direction I wanted.
The three of us often talked about going to Disney – we’d talk about packing our suitcases and just hopping on a plane for Florida. We’d bring our swimsuits and stay at one of the resorts and wander through the Magic Kingdom to our heart’s content. I promised them, “Someday…we’ll go!”
But I still was not at a place where I could believe in making this happen. It was still just a dream…even to me.
Fortunately, when my kids were 10 and 8, their father was able to vacation with them at WDW. Part of me was relieved and glad that they would be able to finally experience that Magic while they were still little – and yes, a part felt guilty because I had not been the one to provide it and share in the excitement with them. I felt cheated out of an experience that would come only once in a childhood – and felt guilty I had not kept my promise to them.
(In the long run, did they really care? Nah!! Well, not really as much as I did. They got to go to Disney World, after all!)
But life goes on…I am married again with two new little ones – who just happen to be growing up in an era of Disney Princess Mania!! Of course, older sister introduced them to it all. There were videos to watch, dolls to purchase, costumes to wear – oh my! And Kelley and Cory simply immersed themselves in the Disney World of Princesses…followed by falling in love with “The Lion King” and “101 Dalmations” and all the other Disney movies. Every morning started out by choosing which costume they would be wearing that day. I often went to the grocery story with Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty in tow.
What’s that??? Did I feel the old familiar ‘thump, thump’ of a heart beginning to beat fast at the thought of taking my little Princesses to see a real castle?…to dance with a Beast?….to hug the most Famous of Mouse-es in the World???? Did I dare tell them I would take them to Disney World? After all, I had made this promise once before and couldn’t keep it.
But those little innocent faces were so alight with the Magic of it All – so I promised. “I will take you to Walt Disney World one day…”
So we talk about going. And we watch the planning videos. And I tell them, “Next year, we should have enough money to go.” Their eyes brighten and they smile up at me. And then next year comes and I tell them again, “Well, we just can’t afford it this year since our moving expenses – but next year we should have the money for sure.” And they listen to me and believe still. And the next year comes and when I say I’m going to get you to Disney World, they believe a little less.
It was not a period of inactivity for me, however. To make a long story short (er!) I was learning, through trial and error, that life is not something that happens to you – that life is created by what you believe. I was seeing the results of my beliefs and my thoughts in my life – both the positive experiences and the negative, and learning that wanting something is not enough – and that sometimes there are limiting beliefs holding us back from the very things we most desire.
In short, I began experimenting with creating my own reality (which I had been doing all along, but just not consciously.) And I begin to see miracles (yes, small miracles at first)happen when I simply let go and learn to trust.
Years are passing now…the 2 and 3 year olds who were once dressed for the Royal Ball are growing taller each day. Their costumes grow shorter…and the Princess Rag Dolls that were once lovingly carried everywhere are now being tossed aside in the toy box. I’m noticing that they’re putting on their Princess gowns less and less as the days go by…my little Princesses are growing up and leaving much of their innocence and wonder behind.
Cory once noticed me looking at the official DW site. “Mom, you always say you’re going to take us to Disney World but that’s never going to happen,” she told me firmly, as if she was trying to awaken me to reality.
And then this spring, as we were waiting for her ballet class to begin, Cory and I overheard two of the moms talking excitedly about their spring break vacation at WDW. Cory busied herself with putting on her ballet shoes, but I could see she was taking in every word. Her eyes met mine and we exchanged a look …a look that could not be described but that was understood between the two of us.
And that’s when it hit me – the Magic of Childhood was quickly slipping off into the dusky night. Was I limited to creating small things? Did I believe in those Disney songs or not?
When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires Will come to you If your heart is in your dream No request is too extreme When you wish upon a star As dreamers do Fate is kind She brings to those who love The sweet fulfillment of Their secret longing Like a bolt out of the blue Fate steps in and sees you through When you wish upon a star Your dreams come true
The next day I woke up and wrote down on paper my intentions of going to WDW. I wrote down exactly what I wanted and expected, that we would go in the fall of this year and have a wonderful time and that the trip would be fully paid before we left home. Then I took my action steps and started to do some research and planning.
The more I planned, the more excited I became. The more enthusiasm I generated, the more real the trip seemed to me. And yes, those old doubts crept in and my logical mind kept asking how I was going to accomplish this? Where was the money coming from? I had to constantly remind myself that the Universe (you can substitute God or Source or whatever word you want) was definitely big enough and wise enough to figure it all out for me. My job was just to let it happen.
The next day, I got a Disney-related newsletter in my inbox announcing free dining dates for this year. Free dining?!?! Are you kidding me? Here’s the Universe saying, “Hey, I’ll pay for your food – just get that vacation reserved!” How could I not take that as a sign?
So I called Small World Vacations, talked to Susie, got a quote and had a courtesy hold put on a room. I talked to DH later that day and explained how important it was to take the girls to WDW this year and somehow this would all work out. He agreed and I sent off my deposit.
The girls were hesitant to believe me when I told them. And full of questions. “What will we do if we don’t have the money to pay for it?” (They are waaay too concerned with money at their age – something I hope to rectify shortly!) Again, a chance e-mail about a Disney VISA was brought to my attention. Although my intentions are that this trip will be paid in full before we leave, my final payment date was looming closer – and I was determined that THIS TRIP WILL HAPPEN. I would not let my girls down!! The Disney VISA gave me a way to tell them, “It’s final – we are going to Disney!!!” To see the relief on their faces and the glimmer of expectation was worth it.
As of now, the story is not over. I still don’t know how it will work out but I know that it will. To quote a well-known source, “It’s as easy to create a castle as it is a button.”
SO…here’s the fun part to share!!!
Date of vacation – Sept 17 – Sept 22.
Staying at Port Orleans Riverside
Cast of Characters:
ME : Cathy, age 45, Disney Planner and Creator-in-Training. Most looking forward to The Haunted Mansion and dining at Raglan Road…and seeing the look on my girls’ faces when they behold Cinderella’s castle for the first time (so I can say ‘told ya so!’)
DH : Kevin, age 52, Amazing Musician, IT Genius and Martial Artist Extraordinaire. Can throw a double spin jump sidekick but cannot ride the Teacups without yakking. Can mix it up grappling with the guys but thinks roller coasters are too rough and hurt his head. (Why is he on this trip?) Most looking forward to getting away from work for awhile!
DD1: Alexa, age 17, Indie-Rock-Girl and Talented Artist. Has her own band “Rock Paper Scissors” (when they become famous, remember you heard it here first!) Most looking forward to ToT and RnRC (sorry ‘bout that one) and terrorizing her sisters on ITTBAB. (She’s been to WDW before – nyah nyah!)
DD2: Kelley, age 9, Little Angel and Former Princess. Quiet, sensitive and takes things to heart easily, but rarely shows her true feelings. Most looking forward to ‘everything’ and seeing if there are Hello Kitties at the Japanese pavilion.
DD3: Cory, age ALMOST 8, Chief Mischief-Maker and Ballerina. Clone of big sister Alexa (we call them Dr. Evil and Mini Me.) Most looking forward to Dinosaur and swimming at the resort. Will wear a “It’s My Birthday” button at the parks.
Not appearing in this production are:
DS: Tyler, age 19, at his dad’s getting ready to depart for basic training (Marine Corps) in a few months. Most looking forward to staying at Shades of Green in a few years!
DDog: Duncan, age 2, Velcro Dog and Lassie-Lookalike. Most looking forward to us returning home – he’s never been away from us so long before!
Our basic Itinerary as follows…
Monday : Leave for Florida. Arrive at resort hopefully around 4:30pm. Round of mini-golf or stroll through the resort and then off to bed early.
Tuesday : Magic Kingdom. See all our favorite attractions and then back to the resort for an afternoon swim. ADRs at Tony’s Town Square at 6:30pm. Ride more attractions and watch Wishes from one of the ‘Mountains’.
Wednesday : EPCOT. ADRs at Akurshus for Princess Dinner. May ride monorail to resorts for fun. Illuminations that evening.
Thursday : MGM Studios. Heading for ToT first thing. Late lunch/early dinner at Sci-fi Diner. Fantasmic! tops off the evening.
Friday : Animal Kingdom. Touring the park in the morning. Winding down the trip by going back to the resort for a swim and then taking the boat to DTD for shopping. Raglan Road at 8:00pm.
Saturday : Supercalifragilistic Breakfast at Grand Floridian Café. Depart for home afterwards and wave goodbye until next year!
So…there you have it! I am expecting nothing less than the best and am determined to have the time of my life. And sooo looking forward to my girls knowing that Mom keeps her promises.
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WOW!!! I am so glad I am reading this at home because tears are streaming down my face. What a dream come true for your whole family.
Your plans sound wonderful. The only advice I have is to take time and really enjoy all that hapens to you. Every trip, I try to find one magical thing and burn it into my memory. It could be when your girls see the castle for the first time - savor the moment.
I will look forward to reading your posts and will anxiously await your trip along with you!!!
This has to be the best Pre-Trip report I have read!! My eyes are so tearing.
I can really relate to your story. No, I'm not a single mom but can understand why you want to make magic for your children.
My DS will be 5 and DD will be 3 when we go next year-there first trip to WDW. I can tell you that I have replied to every person on the boards who volunteers to be Fairy Godmailers so I can create some pre-Magic for them. I have gotten copied pixs from various WDW sites of the POP and am using them as my screensavers so the kids and I can look at where we are staying all the time. My DH thinks all three of us are crazy but he does get into the fun of it too!!
But the money issue looms over our heads. We have booked a MYW package that includes the dining because we wanted to have as much paid for as possible. Our financial struggle is just that-a struggle. But I can tell you one thing-WE Will Go To WDW In May!!
Thanxs again for the wonderful Pre-Trip Report. I can't wait to read your next entry.
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It's moments like yours that make me sad when I go to WDW.
Let me explain.
I watch all the people around me when I have downtime and I imagine everything they have been through to get there; the planning, the budgeting, the tears of grief and relief and mostly the decisions they had to make to get here. I wonder at what point they are in their vacation and I wonder what magic has been bestowed upon them hoping their dreams came true. Its often that I cry when I leave the world even though I visit it quite often. I shed those tears for you and people like you. I cry for the dreamers in all of us.
My wish for you is that you find your magic and that you cherish it always. I'll cry for you so that you don't have to anymore. I dream for you that you take away everything the world has to offer you and that you leave a piece of yourself in the world so that you always have a reason to come home.
When I was younger I worked for a theme park company who at the time was owned by Time Warner. Their mission statement consisted of something silly like "the become the number 1 theme park company in the world" and it used to make me laugh. My supervisors never found it very funny, but no one plans like this to take a visit to Six Flags. Disney truly is magical and its magic is different for us all, but it gives us all something to pure and innocent to believe in.
Cathy - what a wonderful start!!! I hope on this journey you find your magic and the memories made will last a lifetime. Can't wait to read all about your trip.
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Another teary-eyed reader here as I am a single mom and share the same struggles. Our dream trip currently being planned for January is what has kept me sane through the last six months of he double hockeysticks.
I hope that Disney World holds all the magic that you and yours could wish for!
Tina
__________________
Tina
2009 Feb Disneyland - offsite
2007 Aug WDW - offsite
2005 June DCL West Coast/DL & DCA
2002 April Disneyland - offsite
2000 September WDW/DCL - CBR/Wonder
Cathy.
I am in tears too. I worked 3 jobs to be able to take our first trip in 1999. So I know how you feel. Have a wonderful time. I'm looking forward to hearing all about it.
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