We’re Taking An Unexpected Trip…

We’re headed to Walt Disney World!  It’s something I’ve dreamed of since Red was born: taking him on his first Disney trip to see that magic mouse and Cinderella’s castle. I remember being weepy as I started my Pinterest board, collecting ideas for his visit, thinking about things he would like to see or eat.  As our busy lives hurdled forward, I realized that years were passing, and began saving some cash every week for an all-out trip, staying on property and
“doing it up right.”  But as pregnancy #2 progressed, our impending house sale ramped up, and schedules became tight, Chase and I had a serious talk.  Due to savings and schedules, it might not be possible to take Red on a trip for himself before the new baby arrived.  We would go when Baby #2 was old enough to enjoy it and both kids would benefit.

I resigned myself to this new scenario.  I would have more time to plan. I would have a bigger stash of cash stowed away.  I would be able to enjoy the trip with my whole family.  Besides, we had just taken Red on his first trip to the beach, right? That alone wins the year.  I was happy.

As Chase and I enjoyed a (very rare) date night out for dinner and a show at the Fox (tops, in my book!), we both scrolled our phones and emails as we waited for the check.  As I opened an email that I nearly expected to be trash, I almost swallowed my tongue.  It was from Walt Disney World, asking if I would like to be part of a promotional trip centered around preschoolers and travel, specifically things to do at the resort for these little ones in our life.  Nearly everything was covered. I couldn’t believe my luck.  I was laughing my head off in the booth as Chase stared at me over the fondue burner.  I’m sure he thought I’d finally cracked.  When I told him the good news, nearly reading the email verbatim, he was smiling too.  What made me the happiest was to see how fast he was checking his schedule for the requested dates, making sure work wasn’t going to overlap and we could actually make this short, sweet trip possible.

And so here we are… mere days from travel, Red completely unaware of the sheer amount of magic, awe, and wonder that’s about to fill his days.  Or maybe, it’s mine.  I think watching him experience the Magic Kingdom and Epcot for the first time in his life will actually make this preggo lady sob her eyeballs out.  I’m so excited and grateful that I want to push it all back into the universe!

When would you tell your kids about such a big Disney trip? Before travel? When you arrive at your destination? Red is only 3.5, so I’m thinking we’ll have to be in Orlando before I break the big news. Keep tabs on my social media accounts in early March to catch all our action!