Aging In The Kingdom

Tonight the Magic Kingdom was open until 2 am - as if I could possibly stay awake until then, much less fight the people and strollers in an attempt to ride the choo-choo train. Which proves that now the Magic Kingdom is proving to me that I am indeed, getting older. How do I know this? Let me give you a few pointers that you too, may be aging a little bit:

1. You make a beeline for the WedWay People Mover. You have to be old to continue to call this ride by this name. And if the name-calling was enough, you also squeal as you take those hairpin turns - at the equivalent speed of a turtle crossing the road.

2. You eye those scooters and think maybe they're not such a bad idea.

3. You get a Coca-cola float at 11:00 pm, because you know the caffeine will not keep you awake. In fact, you're just hoping it will keep you awake through the 10 pm fireworks.

4. You look at people with strollers and thank God that you were not one of your peers who thought having a baby at 50 was a good idea and would keep you young.

5. You look at people with teenagers and thank God you had kids early in life - so that when yours were teenagers you were so busy trying to keep your sanity that you managed to get through those years with a few brain cells left.

6. You really don't care what you're wearing or how you look, because you know there's somebody older, fatter, and wearing a more ridiculous outfit that yours. And besides, you realize nobody's looking at you, anyhow.

7. You finally have to admit that you no longer look cute in that Mickey Mouse shirt. And matching pants. And matching hat. And more Mickey Mouse stuff that doesn't match but you would probably wear anyhow. But you remember that nobody is looking at you, so you buy it anyway and wear it. So your child who is no longer a teenager can roll his/her eyes to the top of their heads.

8. You start mentally making notes on when you will bring the grandchildren - which month, how long in the parks, and when to go back for naps - mostly yours.

But in the end, you realize that nobody really gets old at Disney World because you can accommodate whatever aging you have. All it takes is pixie dust and happy thoughts - and you're a kid again - which is why you keep coming back anyhow!

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Things that make today great: Sitting by the pool with Steve; seeing Tricia and friends at hotel; picking up race packets; dinner and fireworks at the Magic Kingdom