Stop!

Before you leave for your next Disney trip I want to you take the following vow:

“I promise to pause now and then,
to take a breath and count to ten
and notice who, what, why, and when
Before I go rushing off again.”
 

If this vow seems a little cryptic I made it that way because I don’t want you to do something specific when you take a break. I just want to you look around at your surroundings. Notice everything. Who is with you? What is happening? Why are people doing what they are doing? When will you every be in this one spot at this exact time again? Since the answer to the last question is probably never, take time to make a memory.

On my last trip to the Magic Kingdom I paused and made a great memory. Since I was still sore from doing the Goofy Race and Half Challenge I decided not to climb up and down the Swiss Family Treehouse. I was a little bummed because it is one of my favorite things to do, but I knew I couldn’t make it so I stayed on the ground while my friends climbed the stairs. I stood across from the exit so I would see them when they came out.

As I relaxed, leaning against a post, I noticed that there was a puddle of water on the pavement. It was a clear day so I was curious where the water came from. I then heard a guest squeal and watched them run away. I realized that they were wet, but I didn’t know where the water was coming from so I kept watching.

I eventually figured out that the water was being spit on Guests from a camel in front of The Magic Carpets of Aladdin. It was very entertaining to watch. I also noticed that there were two types of Guests. Some Guests got squirted and ran away. Other Guests got squirted and stuck around, hoping to jump away from the water the next time. This was fun to watch and I was glad I had been too sore to climb up the Swiss Family Treehouse. I wouldn’t have missed the spitting camel for anything.

I don’t want you to miss out on all the extras that hide in the parks, noticeable only to those who slow down, so have everyone in your group take the vow and you’ll have a much more satisfying visit. Happiness squared.

Goofy Joke: (You can tell this one when you find the spitting camel)

Q: Why did Jasmine go to the fruit stand in the Marketplace?

A:  She was looking for a date.