Every year that I can remember, my family and I would sit in front on the TV on Christmas morning, after Santa came, and watch the Disney World Christmas Day Parade, longing to be there on Christmas day. It was our dream to experience our favorite holiday in our favorite place. We did go there on New Year's Day when I was about two, but I do not remember that.
My annual trek began by chance. One of my oldest, closet friend was playing in Miami on New Year's Day in the Orange Bowl. Now Disney is a hike from Miami, but as luck would have it, the cheapest plane tickets were to Orlando! So I decided I was much too close to Disney to miss it, especially since all the decorations would be up and I didn't know when I would ever get to see the decorations if I didn't take advantage then.
My first experience, that I remember, at Disney to see the decorations was amazing. I just couldn't get over how gorgeous everything was. It was like I was seeing Disney World for the first time. I had thought that going would satisfy my cravings for Disney at Christmas...Wrong!!!!!
The following December I convinced my best friend and my college roommate to accompany me for a Girls' Trip the week after Thanksgiving. Unlike my previous trip, we were able to fully enjoy all that Disney offered during the Holiday Season - Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, EPCOT's Candlelight Processional, and the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. Now sometimes I tend to be a little naive, so when we would watch the Christmas Day Parade on Christmas Day, we all assumed that it was LIVE! Well, guess what, it's not!!!! I was so upset when I found out, but to ease the situation, I found out that we would be there during the filming. So we were able to partake in Live, free, concerts from Kris Allen (American Idol), Yanni, Mariah Carey, and CELINE DION!
After two times, doesn't that mean it's tradition now?!?!?! Last year, my friend that started this all by playing in the Orange Bowl accompanied me. He is not a Disney fan, and I was very worried that he wouldn't enjoy the trip, but he Loved it!
So, what's up for this year? Well, after feeling very guilty for the past 3 years, I decided it was time to take my Mom with me! So this year, I'm taking her to Disney for Christmas!!!!!!!! I have been so busy at both of my jobs that I honestly haven't thought about the trip. But with school winding down and the trip officially only 7 days and 11 hours away, I'm starting to think about it! She is very excited to experience what I've been talking about. After all, alot has changed since she pushed me in the stroller 25 years ago! And to top if off, I read this week in Yahoo! that Walt Disney World in the 3rd best place in America to see Christmas Lights!
