We were sitting at the breakfast table the other day, just the missus and I, ingesting some caffeine and making the best of what has, sadly, become our morning newspaper. The wife looks up and says, “You know, I think I’m getting more and more like you. I can’t wait for this next Disney vacation to get here.” Truth be told, she’s almost as big a Disney-fanatic as I am but not quite there yet.
I did find it interesting that, with just over three months until our next Walt Disney World trip, she’s already starting to get that “will it ever get here?” feeling. I know it well. For me, it begins a few weeks after a trip ends. I (almost) immediately go into planning mode, mapping out the next trip—at least in my own mind. It’s nice to know my better half is starting to fall into the same abyss.
Anyhow… that got me thinking. I know I’ve often said that the planning stages of a trip are almost as good as being there. Really, I think I’m just kidding myself a bit but there is something to that. In any case, as wonderful as planning a trip (and reliving past trips) can be, it’s no substitute for the trip itself. Taking it one-step farther, I began to think about the upcoming vacation— and wondering when it will actually start.
I know what you’re thinking… “what’s he been smoking?” D’oh. The trip starts when it starts. But does it? Does a Disney World vacation start when you head to the airport? Does it start when you arrive at Orlando International? When you first set foot on Disney property? The answers are probably “yes” to all of those. For me, a Disney World vacation has many, many beginnings.
I begin to get that vacation vibe the first time I contact the Disney Vacation Club to make a reservation. The enthusiasm I feel is heightened by this first contact with a Disney cast member who gives that little bit of extra effort, helpfulness and exuberance. It reminds me of how special it is to deal with the many cast members I’ll encounter during our vacation.
I get similar vicarious vacation feelings when we begin planning our park schedule and deciding where we’ll dine. That’s followed by another call to Disney to make those Advance Dining Reservations—although, for the coming trip, I’ll probably take care of this with the new online reservation system. I’ll miss the personal touch of dealing with a cast member but I’ll readily admit this should be easier overall.
For some people, the vacation begins with the packing process. It might have something to do with dragging out the shorts and t-shirts in the middle of January; or maybe there’s a sense of what’s ahead when you toss those old, yellow Mickey ponchos in the suitcase. I don’t count myself among this group, as packing for me is little more than a distasteful chore. It might have something to do with the 15 years I spent traveling extensively for business when packing a suitcase or overnight bag was a two or three times a week occurrence.
I will admit to getting a little of that vacation feeling when I awake very early the morning of a trip but… do I consider that the beginning of the vacation? Not really. Maybe it’s the Eeyore in me but the travel part of a Disney vacation holds very little magic. I tolerate air travel as the fastest, most efficient way to get where I’m going but I really don’t enjoy it. What’s to enjoy? Spending three hours confined to a tiny seat in a long tube shared with 90 other people? My knees are usually pressed against the seat in front of me. The guy in front of me always reclines his seat as soon as we’re airborne so I can spend three hours staring at his male pattern baldness while I hum along with McCartney, Meat Loaf and Bono on my iPod. My vacation hasn’t started yet.
Eventually, the plane will begin its descent toward Orlando International Airport and here is where it begins for me. There’s something very distinctive, warm, and comfortable about seeing that Florida landscape from the air. I know it’s mostly a billion lakes, swamps and marshes with an occasional golf course thrown in but I can sense what’s coming.
We land, taxi to a gate, and, after several agonizing minutes watching 90-pound women wrestle refrigerator-box sized luggage from overhead bins, I’m allowed to walk out of this flying tube into a large, airy, and cheerful (yes, I think it’s cheerful) airport terminal. Am I on vacation yet? Not quite but it’s coming.
We walk over and quickly board the train to the main terminal building. This train ride is very reminiscent of Walt Disney World’s monorail system so the sense of the vacation is growing. Next up is the transportation to Disney World. Over the years, I’ve used every mode of transportation available except rented burro, and while some are a bit better than others are, I’ve found that none of them gives me that “Welcome to Disney World and your vacation” experience. Yes, dealing with Disney’s Magical Express offers a little—the bus has “Disney” painted on it and there is a welcome video but, really, it’s just a bus ride.
Is it arriving at your resort? Photo by Steve Russo.
How about this one? Photo by Steve Russo.
This may seem a bit weird to some but the check-in process always helps begin my vacation. I’m dealing with a cheerful cast member who’s (usually) trying to find me a room that’s ready now. They’re not always successful but I appreciate their efforts. Then they give me stuff. I know it’s only a welcome packet, but it contains resort maps, news, information about scheduled events over the course of our stay, and our Key to the World cards. Look… I’m easily satisfied, OK?
If our room is ready, we’ll head there, unpack, and freshen up a bit. If not, we head out immediately. In either case, our tradition has us heading to the ESPN Zone for lunch. A Dinger Sandwich and a Sam Adams Lager inform me that my vacation has truly begun. At least that’s one more sign anyway.
Bellies full and feeling all is right with the world (mainly due to the fact that the entire vacation is still laid out in front of us) we exit ESPN and begin walking toward the International Gateway. Have you ever noticed how beautiful that area is? I scan for a moment and can see the sometimes-bustling Boardwalk area with its shops, arcades and restaurants. Typically, in the late morning and early afternoon it’s fairly quiet. The Friendship Boats are passing across a very blue Crescent Lake. I can spy the magnificent sculptures atop the Swan and Dolphin hotels. I continue scanning and view the serene settings of the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. I’m here… and on vacation.
Getting closer? Photo by Steve Russo.
As I near the International Gateway, I can hear music playing from the many speakers partially hidden in the lush landscape. It’s just another little sign. I head through Security and insert my Annual Pass into the turnstile slot, place my finger on the scanner and exchange a greeting with the cast member on duty who tells me to “Have a Magical Day.” At this point, it would be hard not to.
We walk up that hill into Epcot’s World Showcase and are immediately greeted with all the sights, sounds, and smells that tell me…now… here… the vacation has begun. All the little triggers leading up to this point were simply buildup to this moment. Appetizers, if you will. We look out at the people; we listen to the music; we make the first decision of the trip: Do we continue on to the United Kingdom or head to the right, over the bridge, to France? The vacation has begun.
The vacation has officially begun. Photo by Steve Russo.
Everything you’ve read to this point represents the little signs that bring the realization that my Disney World vacation is finally here. Your own triggers, I’m sure, are different. For many folks I know, that first trip under the train station at the magic Kingdom is it. On the other hand, it might be the first time you walk up Main Street and see Cinderella’s Castle. For others, it might involve the first boat ride, monorail trip, or Dole Whip. I’d love to hear them all.
