Theming Your Vacation Days
Last month, my husband, Jimmy, visited Disney World and Universal Studios for the first time as well as my brother-in-law, niece, and nephew!
In this blog, I share how we packed some fun activities during our vacation and how theming your days influences synergy within a tribe/family!
Jimmy and I usually swap roles during vacation time. I like zero plans when I'm in break mode, while he wants our days packed with adventure from beginning to end! Our honeymoon had excursions from 6 am to 6 pm, and he wondered why I was so tired by the end of the day! This time around, 11 years later, we took the back seat on a family vacation and enjoyed the power of Theming our Days.
Monday was for Magic Kingdom!
According to the public, Monday is the "worst" day because everyone wants to kick off with Magic Kingdom. And we disagree because starting with magic sets the tone and creates momentum for your vacation. Mickey is the star of the show, and exploring his park is part of history. Besides, ending the day with fireworks sets your family to celebrate a win in a superstar way.
Done and done well!
I still remember my first Disney fireworks back in High School when I went to Disney World for the first time. Something about fireworks and SPARK did it for me, and it planted a seed to bring the WOW factor to youth development. And speaking of youth development, what can put you in summer camp mode? Yep! Matching t-shirts! Jimmy and I went extra (because we are) on matching our hats and coffee mugs. It's a feeling of unity and that we're on the same page.
Nerd alert!
Having a Magical and Motivational Monday set the tone for the rest of our staycation. Magic Kingdom is the park with the most rides. So you can imagine how tired we were when we got home. Going to the biggest park first helped us prepare better for the next two days. I know it guaranteed a good night's sleep. My sister mentioned that my nephew fell asleep before touching the pillow. Kicking off with the biggest bang helps you
Pace yourself for later days.
Day 2 was Hollywood Studios and everything Star Wars, which means heavenly realm for Jimmy. The anticipation for your favorite thing influences patience and excitement. I have only gone to see the Star Wars movies because of Jimmy; there was no interest whatsoever before him. There is something about a person's passion and love for something that becomes contagious. And that is what Jimmy brought to the picture for the rest of us.
What is it about Star Wars that Jimmy loves so much?
It's a question that brings curiosity and helps us make it less about us and experience the magic of vacationing with our family. And at the end of the day, it takes the pressure off. And sometimes, you get to experience their magic. So, this one ride blew my mind because we came in one way and exited in a "different world." That was the first domino to approach the other rides with the WOW factor expected, and boy, did Hollywood Studios deliver! Every ride after that one became even more exciting.
We rested longer between rides which allowed us to digest the fun and talk about the experience. I ended up leaving early because I was "FULL" of magic. Something is fulfilling about reflecting on the experiences that help with processing your adventure. I left early to get our dog, Poppy, since she was home alone, and I met my family back with Poppy for dinner. Claudia, my sister, was craving the fast food we used to eat in Miami.
The day felt longer as well.
It was a slower pace than the rides and stores, and it was time to get out of the park for a meal that again brought more storytelling. The kids and Jimmy shared about the rest of their adventures after I left. It was fun to listen to—a quiet night at Pollo Tropical, eating outdoors, talking about Star Wars, and getting ready for our Day 3 - Universal Studios! This time, it was exciting for most of us since we like Harry Porter. And also because my niece Claire is a real fan like her uncle Jimmy.
Time for English accents and wands
Our time at Universal was a learning lesson as we discovered two separate Harry Porter worlds and rides, and we only purchased one. However, we decided to make it magical with one park only. This time, we also split up since my nephew is still young, and you know the Harry Porter world can be a bit scary. And besides, Sammy, my nephew, loves and relates to the minions! One lesson we also learned back in Magic Kingdom was to slowly increase the intensity of the rides for him instead of doing the scariest first.
As you can see, he's expressive, which I love about him. And even with his dislike and some fear, the theme was still Harry Porter, which helped him deal with it. There are so many times when we avoid children being disappointed. I'm so proud of how my sister and brother-in-law, Mike, handled the situation. A lesson I learned is how to present more options within a theme day. Do you remember throwing a tantrum? I do, and I have zero memories of my parents offering options. Giving options to children AND adults helps avoid staying in disappointment.
Staying stuck in your disappointment is your choice.
I know; I went from my nephew to us! I believe adulthood starts when we take responsibility for our thoughts, feelings, and actions. This is why I know that age is simply a number. Theming your vacation day is only the beginning of a focused adventure. The treasures you find within depend on the people of your tribe. It is 100% agree to disagree for the synergy of the group, which includes disappointment, and denying self for the outcome of the group. It's playing nice in the sandbox.
And food has the magic to gather folks around the big table!
It's been years since I have been at a long table. High School is one of my last memories as a student/scholar in a dining hall. When I think about The Leaky Cauldron, I remember my private elementary school in Peru. I think about our uniforms, and part of me thinks of a controlling environment; the other is grateful for the unifying feeling. I love going to Korean Spas in NYC; it's a common ground, beginners (white belt) mindset. It's we're all here for a reason.
About seven years ago, I was deeply impacted by Paulo Coelho's quote below because it broadened my perspective of staying away from seeking identity and starting a new adventure in seeking progress.
Discipline and freedom are not mutually exclusive but mutually dependent because, without discipline, we would sink into chaos.
I see theming as a discipline or practice that allows for freedom of speech of the individual in a group or tribe (community). We can like or be passionate about something, like Star Wars, and be open to change. And we can be against something, like Harry Porter, and find a synergy around a shared love, such as food. Stay open-minded about structure (theming) and how it can be a valley of growth opportunities within your tribe.
In my opinion, progress is our Contribution to Humanity
In my disagreement and point of view, I grow spiritually in my acceptance and progress. In my growth, I continue to share my findings through the power of words and film. Thank you for reading this far; I am writing to you. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
As always, share with a friend and on social media #ysuperstarsblog
Love,
Me.
