So tired! 12+ hours inside Disney World is not an easy environment to cope with later on in life. I am finding it is much like that meme that says "Oh I got this, but my body is saying yea, try it, fat boy!". I truly feel like I jumped out of another C-130, my main cigarette rolled and my reserve deployed enough not to have killed me. But, with that being said we all truly had a blast! The pain, well a new form of embracing the suck, was totally worth it! Oh, and I have to do what I can not to show weakness with our 20-something-year-old boys...
On the last day of our visit to Disney, we started in the wilderness park. We all wanted to see the dinosaurs, real animals, and the Avatar areas. The Dinosaur area was fun, but you could really tell it was focused on the younger visitors and it felt really aged. We did do a couple of the rides and did have a lot of fun. The rides we went on were like mini-costers so a lot of jerking about and not done with service dogs in mind, so Dougal have to sit out of most of these.
We went through several of the animal trails and had a wonderful time. There was only one place where Dougal was not allowed, and this was the aviary, which made sense. But, there were a few times when Dougal's herding tendencies kind of overwhelmed him and I would take him away so he could regain his focus and head to the next exhibit. We also headed to a drive-around safari where Dougal accompanied us. We were seated in the front and a crew member came by and hooked Dougal up with a safety strap to make sure there was no accidental jump from the ride. Dougal handled the ride and the new animals like a pro, actually, I think he was simply happy to have a place to sit and rest for a while. I know I was, but the ride was fabulous!
Stopping for a bite in the African area we were able to enjoy some tribal music. I was worried about how Dougal was going to handle the drums and the performers dancing around, but I was overthinking. Dougal was quite curious about the music but sat next to me and really seemed to be enjoying the beat.
Really the only thing that we did not like, about the Wilderness park is that there was no easy way to get to the other parks. Most of the parks are interconnected with one another, but we found that the only way to get to any of the other parks was to take the bus. While not a big deal there is something about not riding on the highways between parks, kind of a break from the immersive feel I guess. Taking the bus isn't bad, I guess if you can get a seat and take a nap. We were not so lucky.
Heading to the Magic Kingdom was like going back in time for me. The last time I had seen the castle I was 10 or 11, and I am not going to lie I was flooded with that same feeling of wonder as we entered right in the middle of one of the Mickey Mouse parades. For me, it was just like hearing the Star Wars theme in a theater it simply takes me back to the first time I ever heard it. I know I had that stupid grin, the same one I found on my wife. Is it simply nostalgia or something else?
Again, I do have to throw accolades to all of the cast members. All are so eager to help and always with a smile. The costumed cast members always seem to be playing the part so well and doing so for everyone. All of them we met treated Dougal like a superstar even interacting with him (after their handler asked us if it was alright).
After all, has been said and done and the bills for the trip were paid I have to say this trip was worth more than it cost just due to the memories that were forged at Disney and the extent Disney went to make all of us feel that they truly wanted us to be there.
