DISNEY FREAKS

For 45 years I HATED Disney. I didn't like the TV shows, the movies and especially DISNEYWORLD!! However, my wife loved Disney and always wanted to take our kids to Disneyworld. I was, of course, completely against it. Finally, my wife just booked a trip and told me about it after the fact. I was furious and depressed. She had saved her money and it was paid for, all I had to do was go. I still wasn't happy but OK-I'll tolerate it to keep the peace.

The weeks leading up to our trip I made it known that I wasn't going to have a good time but would do what I had to. the day came for us to leave and I was focused on just getting it over. Our flight was fine and we arrived in Orlando-that afternoon we went to the Magic Kingdom. I was impressed with the organization, the kindness of the cast members and the cleanliness of the park. The next day, we went back to the Magic Kingdom and that night went to the "Not so scary halloween bash" I was impressed with the energy of the cast members, the way the parked changed so quickly for the bash and how much fun we were having. Wednesday, we bought a stroller and went to Animal Kingdom-I was impressed at the decor in Animal Kingdom, Expedition Everest and the music the live bands were playing-that night we went to Epcot where the I was impressed with Spaceship Earth, Turtle Talk with Crush and the fireworks and music show. The next day, we went to MGM Disney where I was impressed at how the cast member stayed in character, the Indiana Jones stunt show, the Sci-fi Dine In Theater and the Tower of Terror. By Friday, our last day, we went back to Hollywood Studios and spent our final hours at the Magic Kingdom. I was impressed at how much my children were enjoying themselves, the happiness in my wife's face and how my attitude had changed. As you could probably tell how this would end-I really didn't want to leave. After a couple of weeks back in Kentucky, I noticed myself humming the songs and thinking about that wonderful week. One night I found a web-site that plays the songs played in the Disney parks and have listened to it some everyday since (I especially like the Soarin music). I am now an completely open about my love of Disney World. I have wondered how this could happen and I've come up with a few of reasons:

#1. At Disney World...my mind truly cleared, no sports, no work, no clutter just things like "Should we get a fast pass or wait in line?"

#2. At Disney World...it was as if we were in our own little world...my cell phone didn't ring, we had no visitors, just us...just our family.

#3. At Disney World...everything was positive...everyone was so nice and seemed to really appreciate the fact that we were there.

#4. At Disney World...I didn't watch the bad news on nightly television, I didn't hear about the dow jones dropping or any thing else that would have depressed me....it was all good.

#5. At Disney World, and most importantly...I was just Daddy and husband...I wasn't my work position, my elected job or anything else that takes my attention away from my children and wife...I was just who I was born to be, a Father and a Husband.

So there you have it. I am now an unapologetic Disney devotee. Funny isn't it. I fought my wife for so long and now I just love her even more for sticking to her guns and making me go because it has changed my outlook and my life. I can't think of disney without smiling. I sincerely wish every family had the opportunity to go to Disney World...it really is a magical place.

Richard from Kentucky

PS:We're already planning our next trip back!!!!!!