Confessions of a Disney Dad ~ By Greg Smoot

August 14, 2014

We have a guest blog for you this morning! Enjoy!

Confessions of a Disney Dad ~ By Gregory Smoot

Whenever we take trips to Disney World I typically am designated the planner, where to eat, what time to leave, what to do between FP’s, Etc. To be honest I enjoy it for the most part. BUT….. there are times when it really stresses me out. (I know am the ONLY one who feels like this 😉 I think back to the first trip with my family in January of this year. We were at Hollywood Studios and it was the next to last day of our long weekend. I had been looking forward to taking my parents to Fantasmic but there was disapproval from some of the family. So rather than being rational and working this out in an adult like fashion, I ….. Lost….. My ……. MIND!!!!! I became the hulk, smashing feelings and yelling like a mad man. At this moment it was NOT the most “Magical place on earth”.

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I know, I know, Festival of Fantasy hadn’t started as of January. But it fit the mood….

Almost instantly I realized I was being a total jerk and immediately apologized. This started me thinking “How did this happen?” The answer hit me like a freight train. All trip long I made sure everyone got to do what they wanted but had not done one thing I truly wanted to do. Now this may sound selfish so let me explain. This was my parents and brother’s first time ever to the “world”, so I was trying to pack two weeks’ worth of magic into for days. All the while not expressing what I really wanted to do. (Now this does not make total sense because we all became AP’s that week but I digress.) This made me think of how many other people have experienced the same anxiety.
For the planners out there, here are a couple tips that make our trips so much more enjoyable.

1. Realize you can’t please everyone.
2. DON’T over plan.
3. Don’t forget you’re at Disney!!!!
4. Don’t get too hungry.
5. DO make a list of what the group wants to do each day.
6. RELAX you’re at Disney!!!!
7. Make sure add one thing YOU want to do to every day.
8. HAVE FUN!!! YOU’RE AT DISNEY!!!

1. Realize you can’t please everyone.
2. DON’T over plan.
3. Don’t forget you’re at Disney!!!!
4. Don’t get too hungry.
5. DO make a list of what the group wants to do each day.
6. RELAX you’re at Disney!!!!
7. Make sure add one thing YOU want to do to every day.
8. HAVE FUN!!! YOU’RE AT DISNEY!!!

I know we all try and get our money’s worth when at Disney, but don’t let the cost out way the fact that…….
YOU’RE AT DISNEY!! Have fun, try to relax, and let the Magic begin! ~Greg Smoot

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