Many Disneyphiles return to the parks time after time. Of course one of the reasons we LOVE Disney so much is because the imagineers are always dreaming up some incredible and amazing attractions, shows and experiences. There is always something new to see and do at Disney.
Despite all the new and wonderful, many Disneyphiles return to the parks year after year because it feels like they are returning home. It's their "happy place". Each and every one of us have our favorites, our "must do" list of Disney rituals. No visit to the park would be complete without them.
My Disney Ritual started back in 1991 during one of my visits to the park with my three kids. Disney Hollywood Studios opened in 1989 and this was our first visit back to Walt Disney World after that opening. Our family are huge movie buffs and we all fell in love with this park. Top of our "must see" list was the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular....just the name alone offered such promise and adventure.
At the time, my kids were at the teen-tweeny stage of life where parents are nothing more than a huge embarrassment. As the show began, cast members asked for adult audience volunteers. My kids were mortified begging me not to participate. Seeing their response, I was determined to get be part of the show. As the list of volunteers dwindled, one of the last requests was for someone who could scream. Instead of politely raising my hand, I let loose a shreik that would have made the ghouls in the Haunted Mansion proud. I passed the audition and made the cast!
My kids were escorted down to the front row while I was outfitted in a turban and dessert costume. Being part of the show was such fun but the looks on my kids faces throughout the production was priceless...shock, surprise and finally a wee bit of pride for their dear old mom came through. Afterwards everyone was chatting and laughing together instead of eye rolling and sulking.
We've all made numerous trips back to Disney World since that time. All 4 of us have returned together on 5 different occasions. It has become a standing ritual that we all immediately head for the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular show to see if mom can scream her way back on stage. I am proud to announce that my track record is 4 out of 5. My last trip I was handicapped from a recent bout of bronchitis, otherwise I would have been up there helping Indie.
Of course there is the mandatory Dole Whip, Space mountain ride BEFORE lunch (we learned this ritual the hard way!) and Cinderella's Castle photo. For some strange reason, we're wearing ponchos in most of the Castle photos but we don't care. When the kids we would do a Sunday Disney Matinee complete with popcorn and chocolate starting 1 month before our vacation. Every Sunday, each family member would pick and show their favorite Disney feature film. In our home this meant Mary Poppins for mom, Rodger Rabbit for my older daughter, The Little Mermaid for my other daughter and Ratatouille for my son.
On the few occasions that we drove from PA to Orlando we would have to stop at "South of the Border" just because Pedro was such a roadside marketing genius. One year, after the LONG trek home, Grandpa insisted we all stay in the car after driving up the driveway. He then surprised us by backing up into the street and pulling up the drive a second time. After questioning him he said "That felt SO GOOD, I just had to do it again"....so now everytime we take a long road trip, we pay this salute to dear old Grandpa.
I used to think my family was just a little bit weird with all of our Disney Rituals. I have come to learn we were perfectly normal. Just about every family that has made more than one trip to Disney has their favorite, must see and do rituals. Now, every time I plan a Disney vacation for a returning family, one of the first questions I ask is "What are YOUR Disney Rituals"?
Please...go ahead and share them here. We LOVE hearing about them no matter how wacky they are!
