WDW

Each summer we take one big family trip. Big in terms of size of the group traveling (10 people) and big in terms of the duration of said trip (11 days). Two years ago we went to Walt Disney World. Julia was three and just loved the whole grand affair. After that Bobby and I decided that we would commit there after to an every other year vacation schedule, in other words, Disney, somewhere relaxing, Disney, somewhere relaxing, Disney, for at least a little while. The following year we traveled to Mexico. Polar holiday, but revered by all for its profound level of relaxation.

A few weeks ago we returned from Disney. It is astounding to me what a very different trip this was from the one we took two years ago. My saucer eyed baby who was amazed at her first glimpse down Main Street and happy to ride Dumbo, Small World, and Peter Pan had added "thrill seeker" to her repertoire. She rode everything that her height allowed. She eagerly climbed in each cart, strapped in a threw both hands in the air long before her cart left the loading area. Those hands remained up until she climbed out at the end. She departed each ride proclaiming, "That was GREAT!" Her 43 inches made her just shy of the requirement for Space Mountain and Expedition Everest and quite shy of Aerosmith's Rockin' Roller-coaster. She is chomping at the bit to get back to this and has vowed they will be among her first ridden. I watched in amazement and wonder. Of course I know this is where her father's genes come into play. I loved watching their shared excitement at all of these adventures.
At Hollywood Studios they have updated the Star Tours ride. It is a simulator ride that takes you through various scenes of the Star Wars movies. The new ride is a collaboration between the Disney Imagineers and George Lucas. The many sequences create 54 variations of the ride. It is so well done. Outside of the ride is a stage where children can sign up to participate in Jedi training and then ultimately fight none other than Darth Vader himself. We had watched the show a few times so Julia knew what to expect. The children are given the brown cloaks and a plastic light saber. As a group they practice a few moves with a Jedi master. Cue up the Star Wars Vader music (da da da na da da na) and doors slide open, smoke pours out and a large Darth Vader appears. He warns the Jedi master that he is there to recruit as many as he can to the dark side. One by one the "younglings" are lead to fight him. In the end they all gain status from "youngling" to "padawan." Julia was beside herself with excitement to give it a try. From the audience I watched her excitement to turn to slight fear as Vader got on stage. Isaac was the first of the cousins to go up. Once she saw that he survived, relief washed over her face and she was eager once again. Watching her tiny frame going saber to saber with Darth Vader was my highlight of the trip.

That said, she did still cherish all the character meetings and little kid rides. Peter Pan's Flight was her first ride of the trip. There is such a wonderful balance to her personality and spirit.