One of the Places on Earth My Family is Happiest

I do not enjoy roller coasters and other intense rides.  Whew! It feels good to get that off my chest.  As a child I can remember feeling the internal struggle of not wanting to go on certain "scary" rides, but also wanting to be a part of the unofficial 'club' of people that did.  I adopted the technique of holding on tightly to the bar, closing my eyes and counting the seconds until it was over.  I reasoned that just once was enough to be like everyone else.

Disneyland 2003

With that confession it may seem incongruent that one of my favorite family vacations is to go to Disneyland.  I absolutely love it!  I could go several times in the same year.  In fact, usually I have to convince the rest of the family that it is time to go again.  I don't know if it is the 'happiest place on earth' as Disney claims, but I do know it is one of the places on earth where my family is happiest.  Laura says the kids turn into super-kids when we go there.  They seem to acquire the super power of extra patience which helps to foster the ideal conditions for a great family vacation.  Don't get me wrong, it is exhausting.  We start early so we can be there when the gates open and stay until they kick us out at night.  We are on our feet for most of the time and usually have very little to eat (have you seen the food prices... ouch!).  By the time we walk back to our hotel at night my legs are usually throbbing in pain and I wonder how we are going to wake up in just a few short hours and do it all over again.  But somehow, magically (pixy dust?), the next morning my legs are fine and I can't wait to get back into the park.

California Screamin' - 2009

Luckily for me, I married Laura (period) who loves roller coasters.  She will often take the older kids on some of the more intense rides while I take the younger kids on Buzz Lightyear or Jungle Cruise (those jokes kill me every time).  However, as the kids are getting taller I no longer have an excuse, so for the good of the vacation, I relent and assume my old strategy to survive the ride.  The older kids are also very good at taking their turn on some of the kiddy or "dad" rides.  I think we have been on every ride at Disneyland and California Adventure except the Tiki Tiki Room and the Canoe Ride.  I guess getting into the 'club' for those rides just doesn't seem as enticing.

Disneyland 2009

People who know me and understand that I am averse to intense rides, spending money and large crowds have asked why I keep returning to Disneyland.  I think it is as simple as the title of this entry.  I love spending time with my family in one of the places where we are happiest.  Any sacrifices that are needed to get there seem trivial.  I think it is the same with heaven.  I know that being together as a  family after this life will be the pinnacle of happiness.  I also know that any obstacles or challenges that we have to overcome in this life in order to make it to heaven with my family are worth it.   Therefore, as I prepare to face life's challenges I will tighten my safety strap, keep my hands and feet in the vehicle at all times and...

Giddy Up,
StevieG

Video 1: Disnelyand over the years with the Porters

Video 2: Disneyland 2009