Photo Courtesy of Richard Silva Sr
I had forgotten how much I missed living with my in laws; not because of financial reasons, or for extra hands where chores are concerned, but for the company. I get along extremely well with my father, mother and younger sister-in-law, and there is always an easy companionship when we are together. The conversation never seems forced, and when there is silence, it is always a comfortable one. They are great people, and I feel as though I lucked out getting them as in laws.
After getting up at the insane hour of 6:30am, on vacation no less (I didn’t expect anything less and was surprised that I was permitted to sleep that late), we broke our fast, consumed as much coffee as we could fit into our cups, and readied ourselves for a busy day. Upon our arrival into Orlando Sunday afternoon we had turned our vouchers into actual tickets, so we were prepared to skip most of the morning wait. We arrived via ferry with the masses at the Magic Kingdom, our first stop in our week-long Disney adventure.
And oh dear Goddess were there masses. I counted at least three different tour groups from Brazil alone, and one or two from Italy. They say that America is the melting pot of the world, and after seeing people from China, England, Italy, Brazil, Germany, Mexico and Canada, I have no doubt in my mind that the heart of it is in Orlando. It’s the one place that I’ve been fortunate enough to visit that can unite people from all over the planet, that really bring us together as human beings despite race, sex or religion, and I’m not just talking about the ride It’s A Small World. I’ve never heard so many different languages spoke at one time, or English spoke with so many accents.
After hitting up Snow White for a picture and autograph, we hit most of the attractions that are mandatory for visiting the Magic Kingdom – Jungle Cruise, Pirates of The Caribbean, Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain (Space Mountain is currently closed for renovations), It’s A Small World, Dumbo, Country Bear Jamboree, Hall of Presidents, the 3pm Daily Parade, Swiss Family Treehouse, Mad Tea Party, Stitch’s Great Escape (which used to be Alien Encounter), Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. We missed a handful of rides that we will have to hit first the next time we visit, like the Haunted Mansion, Mickey’s Toontown Fair, Tomorrowland Transit Authority (which was down for either repairs or upgrades), and much more due to time restraints, but we covered as much as we could. Everyone enjoyed themselves, and there was little complaint from the kids when we departed. By the time 7pm rolled around, everyone was tired and the little one, Mini Me, was thankful to get off her feet.
Yes, we made the 5 year old walk almost the entire way on her own. I saw at least three 8-12 year olds being pushed in strollers by weary parents, and think its silly. I gave her a piggy back ride to the handicapped parking area after the monorail trip back from the Kingdom, but only to keep the complaining to a minimum and hurrying along the progress back to the car. She has two perfectly good legs, why not use them.
After returning to the hotel, we ordered pizza instead of cooking up dinner for the seven of us. Slaving over the stove, or even just shoving something quick into the oven was too much of a hassle at that point, though my mother in law threw together a salad. My feet ache a little despite the sneakers I bought early last week and we are all a little pink in the face/shoulders. As I write this blog, I can feel my eye lids growing heavy. I’m content with how things turned out today, and look forward to what the week may bring.
Tomorrow, Day Two: more getting up at the ass crack of dawn, followed by character breakfast at the Grand Floridian, shopping, and maybe a trip to Old Town to drive go-karts. Pictures will be posted in a day or two once I get them from our family photographer, our 10 year old, RickyJr.
Sleep, perchance to dream.
No Method, Only Madness 
>I think making her walk is a good idea…makes them more tired at the end of the day :)I've seen those people pushing way oversized children in strollers…just silly.