The Kingdom of Childhood

Disney was fantastic.  We aren't really a "character" family, but our boys love certain things Disney, especially the older cartoons starring Chip n Dale (with Donald Duck).  They've been on a quest since preschool days to watch every Chip n Dale cartoon ever put out.  Given this, it's not surprising that between all the awesome rides and experiences, our days at Disney were punctuated my character dining with the chipmunks, character spotting the chipmunks, and parades with the chipmunks.

As luck would have it, a new parade at Magic Kingdom included Chip n Dale, who then deboard their float and dance in the streets of Disney with everyone.  BB and DD were thrilled!  So many hugs with all the Chips and Dales that exist at all 4 parks.  Our sons declared the first day "the best day of their lives" within hours of our arrival.  That's the best feeling any parent could have. 

Disney is a funny proposition.  The boys are old enough to understand that you can't get hugs and attention from Mickey unless your're paying.  One night while waiting for one of our character dining reservations, a kid screamed for Mickey over and over, and Mickey would not acknowledge him; he was busy taking photos and signing autographs with the family that paid to see him.  DD stated flatly "you have to pay money."  But as cynical as that sounds, it wasn't.  To BB and DD it's just pragmatic - Mickey and the rest of the characters have limited time.  It was no less magical to them that a financial transaction took place, albeit via Disney Magicbands where you never have to whip out cash or credit.  The looks on my boys' faces on seeing Chip n Dale was absolute magic.  And for that, C and I would pay dearly, and we will pay again.  

The kingdom of childhood is the best place in the world and it's too short-lived for most of us.  I realized that unlike all our other vacations, this trip to Disney was purely and exclusively for BB and DD.  C and I just came along for the ride and momentarily fell back into childhood.