Disneyland and Sensible Shoes

It’s fall break, and you know the Bolthouse’s can’t stay put for a weekend let alone a full week off from school.  This adventure takes us to California for Disneyland, California Adventure and a few days on the beach. 

We’re starting with a bang—earning our time at the beach with two days at Disney parks. This morning saw us out the door by 7am to breakfast at IHOP before walking into the park.  Darin is an expert navigator using the Disney App to get fast passes and anylze wait times to minimize lines.  By 10AM, just two hours into our visit, our ride count was 6.  We were strutting through the park, proud as peacocks at our theme park savvy.   It’s now 2:40 and we’re dragging ourselves around like the walking dead, having only ridden an additional three rides.  

I’m hunkered down in the shade awaiting our fast pass for Indiana Jones to become eligible while Darin takes our nearly hysterical boys in search of frozen lemonade.  We’ll drag ourselves back to the hotel for a nap and swim after our adventure with Indiana.  The hope is to outlast the crowds and return in the early evening to close down the park at midnight.  If love of our children is ever in question, this day will be key evidence.  

The last three hours have been torture.  It’s a solid mass of people and insane lines everywhere.  So when I saw an open spot in the shade—I claimed it like white settlers invading the west...which seems an apt analogy given that I’ve taken up residence in Frontierland.  

My spot is perfect for people watching, and can I just say that the number adults sporting Mickey wars and/or insensible shoes is shocking?  I am all for a cute shoe, but anything other than your most supportive athletic shoe seems insane for a day at Disney...with or without mouse ears!  I’ve just walked about 5 miles zig zagging between different sections of the park.  Minimizing time in lines certainly maximizes walking distances!  Toms, wedges, flip flops, and strappy heels are speeding past me as I lounge on a brick wall in my tennies.  I would be crying and walking barefoot if I found myself in their shoes.  I’m nearly crying in my brand new Brooks runners. 

This turns into just another reminder that I’m in my 40s, and sounding more like my Mom every day.  We had our fair share of debates on appropriate clothes and shoes through the years...and we’re finally seeing eye-to-eye.  I’ve come around to the sensible side.  Apparently Disneyland is a magical place!