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Sunday, October 07, 2007

From Orlando

A big howdy from the Sunshine State. We're having a great time here! Our trip started out with us having an uneventful ride to the airport, other than the fact we had to leave our house at 3:30 am, and an uneventful boarding of the airplane. However, just as we were seated, we realized the downfall of having unassigned seats on Southwest: we had to sit next to other people's kids. That's right I had to entertain my older son (OS) and another little boy who was 7 because he and his brother could not sit next to their parents. I have to say that the boy was very polite and I had a nice time playing UNO with him. Of course that made me re-think my last post and packing too light because this kid really didn't have anything to do except play UNO...with me.

The first day we were here, we all took naps and then headed out to Epcot. Yes, everyone did tell us not to bother going there with kids. However, my reasoning was that since the boys didn't know about the Magic Kingdom or any of the other parks, they didn't have anything to compare Epcot to so hopefully they would enjoy it. They seemed to like it. We ate at a fabulous restaurant where "Every Day is Oktoberfest!". That's a post in and of itself though.

The next day we went to Sea World. So far that has been OS's favorite park. It's pretty low key. It's a lot of walking, but not really any lines. The boys enjoyed looking at all the animals. They were having some special where you got a second set of tickets free so we'll probably go back this week. I have to confess that I really enjoyed it as well.

Yesterday and today we went to the Magic Kingdom. This is where I've had some parenting struggles. Yes, I know it's the Magic Kingdom so we're all supposed to be magically happy. Hmmm...you wouldn't believe the number of temper tantrums I have witnessed from both children and parents, my family included.

In my short time of being a parent, I've really tried to separate my boys interests from mine. I've tried to make the distinction that just because I really enjoy something, doesn't mean that they really enjoy it. Let me just also say that I have failed at this many times.

I have some great memories of Disney as a child and again from 5 years ago when my husband and I went to Disney World. I was eager to share these wonderful experiences with my kids. As such, I immediately convinced OS that the Country Bear Jamboree was the place to be. I had absolutely loved it as kid and again when I needed an air conditioned place to sit as an adult. We rushed to it because it was incredibly hot so that OS could enjoy it as well. Except that he didn't. He didn't hate it, but he was not enthralled by it whatsoever. Thinking that it was just because he wasn't warmed up to the idea of the Magic Kingdom yet, we tried It's a Small World, another one my childhood favorites. It was OK. That's it. Not great, not bad, but he didn't want to do it again.

I thought well the Tikki Birds would be a big hit. Prior to that the Big Giraffe had got us all Fast Passes to the Winnie Pooh ride. No one was really into the idea of Tikki Birds except me. We stopped to have my favorite Disney snack: funnel cakes. Guess who liked the funnel cakes? Just me. Neither one of my boys liked it. That's when it hit me that what I considered fun wasn't necessarily what they concerned fun. OK really I got depressed first because I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. I abandoned the Tikki Bird idea. We went back to the Winnie the Pooh ride since it was our time with the Fast Pass tickets. I thought the ride was awful and a waste of time. OS loved it. OS also loved licking a lollipop (I've never been a big fan of lollipops) while waiting outside It's a Small World and people watching. That's what he liked to do. He's number one favorite thing to do though is to ride the tram back and forth to the parking lot.

This isn't to say that OS isn't having a great time because he is. It's just that it's very different from what I had expected and planned and yes, it does make me a little sad. I guess what I hadn't realized was how much I had wanted to go on these different rides/shows not because I solely thought that my boys would enjoy them, but really because I wanted to ride/see them for me. On that note, one ride I really did want to go on was Space Mountain so this evening my cousin and I went to the Magic Kingdom without the kids and rode on Space Mountain.

A. Elliot's Lesson Learned: Sometimes we, and by that I mean me, confuse our inner child's wishes with our real children's wishes.

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posted by Alex Elliot @ 11:45 PM   11 comments
11 Comments:

  • At 10/08/2007 1:29 AM, Anonymous Erin - ExpectingExecutive said…

    I loved the Tikki Birds! I would have been with you there sistah!

    Erin

    BTW...mentioned you in a post today. About how I love, love, love your breastfeeding posts. But...you may reserve judgment of my assessment: http://blogspot.expectingexecutive.com/2007/10/07/what-breastfeeding-ban-defending-facebook.aspx

     

  • At 10/08/2007 10:44 AM, Blogger Jennifer aka Binky Bitch said…

    I think it sounds fabulous, despite the tantrums! Would love to hear your Oktoberfest restaurant story!

     

  • At 10/08/2007 3:03 PM, Blogger Worker Mommy said…

    Oooh I'm so jealous that you're there.
    I hear you on the disappointment thing. I'm that way too. One of these days I'll learn a lesson from it.

     

  • At 10/08/2007 7:51 PM, Blogger Fairly Odd Mother said…

    When we took my oldest to Disney, she was not yet two. Her favorite part? Outside of meeting the characters, it was playing in the playground at Toon Town. Bor-ing, but it made her happy, so we let her play.

     

  • At 10/08/2007 9:54 PM, Blogger Suzanne said…

    I always hated Epcot. There aren't enough trees in that evil park.

     

  • At 10/09/2007 8:59 PM, Anonymous pinks & Blues Girls said…

    I am glad you were able to get a post in from FL! That happens to me a lot... I get excited to show somone something that I find really great, and they're like, "Ho hum"... well, they don't exactly say that, but they act it. ;)

    I am glad you are having an overall good time, though! Yes, please do share the Oktoberfest restaurant story!

    Jane, Pinks & Blues

     

  • At 10/10/2007 6:07 PM, Blogger soccer mom in denial said…

    Thanks for the update. I've been wondering how you all are doing. And while it is disappointing, good for your for letting OS enjoy DW in his own way.

     

  • At 10/10/2007 8:17 PM, Blogger Nancy said…

    I know it's been a while since I've been around - I've missed your posts! I'm glad to hear that you're having a good time in Disney. My father is a BIG fan of the Tiki Birds and the couple of times I've been to Disney it was always a must see.

    P.S. I LOVE the post about the spinning class :)
    And I appreciate the advice about the padded seat since I was thinking of starting a class very soon myself.

     

  • At 10/11/2007 11:15 AM, Blogger Ashley Winters said…

    Hope you are all having lot's of fun. I love Disney and can't wait to take my kids there.

     

  • At 10/12/2007 10:32 PM, Anonymous mayberry said…

    Oh gosh. I would be so aggravated if I had to entertain a kid other than my own on a plane! I can barely summon the strength for my own two, so desperate am I to kick back with whatever trashy magazine I happen to have with me... You are a Good Person.

     

  • At 10/19/2007 12:29 AM, Blogger painted maypole said…

    enjoying all these orlando posts... we are hoping to plan a trip next year!

     
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Name:Alex Elliot
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About Me:Professional Mom of two cats, a dog, an ant farm, and oh yeah...two boys: a 6 year old and a 3 year old. Also found in my house is my husband who is known on this blog as The Big Giraffe.
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