the disney dream

The Disney dream is something that just sucks you in. The familiar songs, the well known characters, something about the charm of place where anything is possible with dreams and love and pixie dust... it is pure magic. The kind of magic that I still fully buy into as a fully grown adult.

We have talked about going to Disney for the longest time. Before we had children, and even more so once we had children. I was lucky enough to go to Disney World in Florida a few times as a kid, as well as Disneyland in California and EuroDisney (as it was back in the day), and Rich talks about his trip to EuroDisney as a real highlight of his childhood... so some Disney magic was always something that we wanted to share with our children. It helps that Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is on our television a lot too... those characters are heroes for our children, and we just couldn't wait to see their faces when they got to meet them face to face.

We booked our trip on Boxing Day (after getting an absolute mega deal) and I've been counting down the day ever since. A Sunday night stay in the Premier Inn at Folkestone, an early Euro Tunnel ride on a Monday morning, and by Monday lunch time we would be in the midst of the magic. Five days of wonder, two parks and the Disney Village to explore, staying in the Disney hotel I've always wanted to (Newport Bay Club) it all felt like a little dream come true.

I could talk for hours about how this holiday was everything we had wanted and dreamed... and more! Because it really was. I don't think we have ever all been so happy. The days are long and tiring walking around the theme parks, the children were over excited and completely giddy at times, but you somehow just don't seem to care because it's all worth it for the sheer magic of the place.

I have quite a few posts coming up (I think I've drafted five altogether) for anyone who is considering a trip, planning one, or already has one booked (I'm very jealous if you do) but the main thing I would say is that if you've thought about it, and you think your family might like it, then book it. We thought our beautiful boy would get more out of it at four than his little sister, but at two she was utterly charmed by the entire thing. You can't underestimate the wonder of taking young children; children who are young enough to believe that they are the real princesses from the films, and who don't realise that it's a person in a suit. I have never seen our children so happy, so excited, so totally full of magic, and we said several times while we were there that we don't know why we waited so long. The Disney magic has never lost its sparkle for me anyway, but seeing it in the eyes of my own children was utterly priceless... something which brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion, and something which I will never forget as long as I live.

 ^ he grabbed hold of Mickey like they were old friends

 ^ and Minnie was in love with him a little bit

 ^ she squealed when she saw Minnie across the room, then went a bit shy when she came over

 ^ this was pretty much his face the entire trip... like he couldn't quite believe what was happening

Don't worry. There is lots more Disney to come over the coming days for all you fellow Disney addicts!!!!