Disney Daze (Our Weekends at Disney)

After moving to FL in the middle of last year, I knew it was coming. I was in denial, but at some point, I knew it would happen. And then about six months after moving, it did.

My wife and I were out for a date night at the local Olive Garden. We had just ordered our food and were talking about how our week had played out. She talked about her friend and how they were excited to be going to Disney that weekend as a family. What passes they had purchased and how often they used it. Then came the question, “Can we get Disney passes?”. Oh, man! I was not ready for it. Not ready financially, not ready time-wise, and not ready to really understand what this purchase would do to and for our family. But I said yes. That night we purchased Annual Disney Passes. It has been a whirlwind ever since.

Me being the “frugal” person I am, I wanted to make sure we were going to get our money’s worth out of the pass. So we started planning our first few trips to Disney. That next weekend we had plans to go to Magic Kingdom after school and work on Friday, Animal Kingdom on Saturday, and Epcot on Sunday. I was happy. If we go three to four times a year then we were for sure getting our money’s worth. So I was stoked.

That weekend came and went with really not many hiccups. We were learning the lay of the land. We were learning what times to go and what times to leave. And most importantly I was learning that we don’t have to fit EVERYTHING into just one day. We can spread it out. You see, this purchase, unlike a Disney vacation, was a marathon and not a sprint.

You see we had experienced Disney before. When we lived down here before we went a few times for special events, and during some of their evening activities. But never a full-blown day or weekend of it. And then the month after we moved back to Missouri, we started planning our Disney vacation for that next summer. The thing is though, both of those experiences are much different than having annual passes to Disney. So today I wanted to give you a few things that I have learned through my time having Disney Annual Passes. And to be honest, they are probably different than what you have heard before.

First thing I have learned through Disney Annual Pass ownership is that patience is not something you are born with or something that you have or don’t have. It is for sure something you choose to use or not use. The reason I say this is because, in the last two months, we have probably been to Disney about 15-20 times. During this we have spent numerous hours in the car, waiting in lines for rides, and trying to figure out where the closest restroom is at. During this I have had limitless patience and the absence of patience. The only difference? My decision to exercise it or not. So I ask you, why are you in such a hurry? Wouldn’t it be better to just be in the moment? To enjoy the things around you? To notice those near you, and to show them love in the moment? I constantly have to remind myself that patience is a choice, and on my best days, I choose to use it. On my worst, I am a mess. So remember the choice you make to have patience could make someone’s day so much brighter, and your life experiences more full. So choose patience.

The second thing that I have learned from my time at Disney is that the excuse of not having enough time is just that, an excuse. You see oftentimes I say I want to do this or that, but I don’t have any time. And the things that I say are most important in my life, never get done. Yet going to Disney, and spending lots of time during the activities there, has shown me that I will make time for the things in my life if I want them bad enough. Riding Guardians of the Galaxy and it is a 2-hour wait? Sure! How about the two-hour drive to get there? Yep, every weekend! So I ask you, what are you putting off because you don’t have enough time to do it? What is that thing on your list that you should get done today? What is it that will bring you the most joy? Go do it. I give you permission. Don’t make the excuse of not having enough time. I get it. There are a lot of things vying for your attention. There are things that are required of you. And there are people who are counting on you. Have them join you, be more efficient, and set time aside by scheduling. Whatever you do, don’t make excuses. Go get it done.

And the last thing I want to share with you that I have learned through my experience at Disney is that time together is time cherished. Often times I get upset because living with a family of seven is very time-consuming, and it can be very demanding. There are six people at all times who want to hang out with me. Want to talk with me or even want me to watch what they’re doing. Those people each have different interests and have different priorities of things that matter to them. And it is hard. But standing in line at Disney or driving in the car, I have had the opportunity to have some pretty awesome conversations with those same people. I have had the chance to sit still and listen. I am stuck, right? I can’t go anywhere, so why not pay attention? And so I have. I have decided to go on the attractions they choose, to listen to the music that they want, and to talk about the things that matter most to them. You should too. You should cherish the time you have with the ones closest to you. You should open your ears and eyes to the people around you. You should choose family. Disney is the most magical place on earth, but it is nothing without my family.

So what do you think? Are you choosing patience in your life? Are you making excuses that are keeping you from doing the things you want to do? And are you pushing to the side the most important people in your life? If any of these are true for you, take it from me. Learn from my Disney experiences, and go out there and change it. Live today like it could be your last because it could be. Live today on Adventure, and love those you encounter. Here at AOLA we are choosing to Adventure Often, Love Always. Disney is my current adventure I am on, and my family is my love opportunity. Where, what, and whom is it for you? Answer those questions, and take action. Don’t sit back and wait like I have been. You got this!