Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Someone go check Hell...
I think it's freezing over


Many of you know that I live near Disneyland. It's true that I live just 10 minutes away from the Magic Kingdom.However, despite the proximity of Mouse Land, I have never been there. Ever.
All my life growing up, our family vacations took us to such exotic locations as Fruita, CO and Fortine, MT. When we weren't visiting family, we were usually camping. Amusement parks just were never a high priority.

As I got older, I realized (and I admit my ignorance of experience), that I really didn't like amusement parks. Granted, the largest one I have ever been to was Lagoon...if you could call it one. However, it was the IDEA of an amusement park that really just didn't interest me.

So now I have lived in the OC for over a year and have never been to Disneyland, even though it is practically in my backyard. Obviously I could go now, but the idea of a 32 year old single guy hanging out in a place originally designed with children in mind just isn't my cup of tea. (Get it? Tea Cups). But, Hayley pointed out that pedophiles usually have a mustache, and since I don't have a mustache, I would be fine.

The point though is that my hubris has always been that I am 32 and have never been to Disneyland.

All that is going to change in February. My company is having their annual convention, and I have been slated to make an appearance. Where is it going to be? Disney World in Orlando. I have no choice...I have to go. This must be that "Real Life" that Brian was telling me about. Woe is me. Woe is me.

Hmmm...if only I could disappear for a few days in Florida.

19 comments:

Smiley Family said...

Our family was just like yours growing up, theme parks were never a priority. When Jake was called to California on a mission, my parents and him went to tour the area before he served and they spent a day in Disneyland. It was a first for all three of them. My parents had a blast!! They had so much fun that they made us all go after Jake got home from his mission in 2002. So, I was 23 when I first went to Disneyland and it was so much fun. I really think you would quite enjoy yourself and I am surprised that you have not yet gone. And this is coming from a person who really does not like theme parks because I get motion sickness worse than anyone else you will EVER meet. In fact at one point during our vacation, I spent a good two hours on a bench trying not to throw up while the others had a grand old time riding the rides. But that said, I would highly recommend going - it is totally worth the barfing :)

Anonymous said...

well, say hi to mickey m. for me. I will be envious of you being in florida due to the fact we are frozen solid here.

The Carter Family: said...

I LOVE Disneyland!!! My dad sacrificed his sanity to take us all there when we were younger, and we loved it! I got to go again w/ our drillteam and then went again in colleg and LOVED it both times! Unfortunately my husband is as sheltered as you and has yet to go-I started planting the idea in his head when we had the first baby-so maybe in a few years he will be adjusted to it and we can make the trek. (I don't think it's the theme park he is worried about-it's those DANG California drivers and their 20 million traffic lanes!) Anyways, have fun and live it up in Orlando-you can't tell me you're not even the tiniest bit excited to go!!!

Monica Lifferth said...

Oh, woe is you indeed.

Craig Lifferth said...

Disneyland! Woo Hoo for Mickey Mouse!!

All About M.E.('s) said...

Whoa Jamie. She just totally took over your blog and made it her own. Doesn't she have one?

ML said...

don't you dare disappear in Florida! The very idea! Who could ever come up with such an idea!?!

Mark Nott said...

Oh come on, it'll be fun! And you'll have plenty of time to grow that mustache.

And Ditto to the above, don't disappear in Florida... again.

Nathan and Esther said...

You must hate your life. Making awesome deals with celebrities, having business conventions in places that kids (and probably adults) dream about. woe, woe, woe is you.

Gretch said...

Will you know how to leave the Florida Airport? Maybe me and the kiddos should come along to show you how to do it. :) So do you think you'll ever actually make it to your "backyard" Disneyland? Again, we would be happy to come along.

whitney said...

wait, wait, wait-Disneyland is practically in your backyard and they have to fly you to Florida to get you to go to one (teeheehee). I would pretend I pity you...but I don't. I can't even bring myself to fake it:P

Don't go disappearing in Florida. Blogland would be abominably boring w/out you.

The Lund Five said...

I didn't go to Disneyland until I got home from my mission and went to California to visit a companion. I was about 25 years old. Then I went again after Jake got home from his mission. It was so much fun. I seriously think you should do a test run at Disneyland before you go to Disneyworld. You will have so much fun.

HelloBridgett said...

You will love Disneyworld. It is a lot different than what you would think. It isn't just princesses and fairies. There are different parks you can go to like the Animal Kingdom, the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and the Epcot Center (I really liked that one, they have different little countries, like little Italy and Spain. It is pretty cool.) You will like it, I mean, you finally realized that the good ole' OC is actually a fun place to live. You just need to open your mind to new things.

Sonja said...

Zach, I feel the same way about amusement parks and have only been to Disneyland once when I was about nine.

Last year I went with my company to do a site inspection in Orlando and the hotel we were checking out gave us a free day at Disney World or an afternoon in the day spa for a facial and a massage. I picked the day spa. The other girls I was with thought I was crazy!

When you get back let me know if I really missed out on anything. And have a great time!

rsheedy said...

Zach, we need to talk. If your entire experience with amusement parks is based on Lagoon, you've got some expanding to do. First of all, there is nothing wrong with 32 year old dudes going amusement parks. The best way to enjoy a place like Disney World is WITHOUT the kids. Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE to take my little buddies there someday. But I'm glad I got to go without them first...it's a lot less work!

Secondly, I never thought I was a big fan of the whole idea...and a couple of years ago I decided I was just too old for it. Then Hunter & I went to Busch Gardens in Tampa shortly after we were married, and it ROCKED! There is so much more than just the rides. I think the creativity & ingenuity of these places is simply astounding. I finally went to Disney World, Sea World & Universal Studios last year and it rocked. And, get this...there is actually a two hour Modern Marvels episode about Disney World! Good stuff. Wish Hunter & I could go with you...we'd show you a great time!

Yelyah's Corner said...

Zachtastic-
I just wanted to point out that this is comment #16! Way to go champ!

THE BRADY BUNCH said...

You'll have a great time, maybe after DisneyWORLD you WILL want to try Disneyland!!
Also, don't you have a lot of visitors who come and stay to take their families to your "backyard" - they should take you too!!

Noah said...

I went to Disney World, MGM studios, and Sea World (yes, on both sides of America) all for the first time in the same year when I was about 28. Holy crap I hate amusement parks. To put it into perspective, for the cost of a slightly used wave runner, 4-wheeler, or snomobile, you can instead spend a miserable week waiting in lines, eating junk food, and having your kids scream continually. What a stupid waste of money. Hope the kids like it because they'll never go again, we'll buy a waverunner instead.

I must say though, seeing a whale at sea world the size of a bus go flying through the air was pretty cool (but not worth it).

Zachary said...

YES! Thank you Noah! I knew my brother wouldn't let me down!