Note: This post is part of our new “Mouse Hacking Musings” series. These are short, informal posts about whatever topic floats my boat the morning I decide to write it. The musings originally appear in our weekly(ish) newsletter, which also highlights recent news, updates from the blog, and discounts/deals I’ve got my eyes on.
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In Gilbert Ryle’s 1949 The Concept of Mind, he introduces the concept of the “category mistake” with an example of a visitor to Oxford University. The visitor is shown the quad, the library, the church, and various halls. And at the end of the tour he says “yes, all of these buildings are nice, but where is the University?” Or, more relevant for Disney fans, from one of my favorite movies, Soul:
“I heard this story about a fish. He swims up to this older fish and says, "I'm trying to find this thing they call the ocean." "The ocean?" says the older fish. "That's what you're in right now." "This?" says the young fish. "This is water. What I want is the ocean."
I don’t publish these musings immediately as I write them, but a few days before I wrote this one, Zoe threw up in our rental car on the way to Acadia National Park. It was day 2 of driving, after an estimated 2.5-hour first leg the night before actually took 5 hours. Now we’d gotten delayed again, and in particularly messy fashion. It was a very frustrating situation. But then I told myself a mantra I've developed the last few years—"This is the trip."
What were we delayed from? And by what? We don’t have a car at home–being in a car for 10 hours over two days is a big step outside our comfort zone. We were going hiking so that we could spend more time with each other, and so that we could talk Zoe through tough challenges outside the comfort of home–all of which was also going on that morning in the car. That is, we were delayed from what we thought was "the trip" (hiking in Acadia) by the reality of the trip (96 hours of family time away from home).
I try to remember that the trip starts as soon as I lock the apartment door behind me, and the goal isn’t to make a few moments of it great–it’s to make the most of every moment along the way. The hurdles are a part of the trip, too, and sometimes the most important.
If it’s a trip to Disney World, it’s easy to think "the trip" is some rides, some characters, and a picture in front of the castle, but it’s so much more than that. The trip is the new foods we try. The trip is the funny comments we make about the ads on the buses heading to Early Entry at 7AM (while praying the coffee gives us enough energy to get through the day). The trip is practicing patience when we have to wait in long lines. The trip is getting by when the airline loses our luggage (but also just try not to ever check bags). The trip is our kid getting to play for an extra five minutes with a new friend while we itch to make it to our next Lightning Lane reservation.
Your Disney World trip will not go as expected. But when something unexpected, or even something seemingly bad, happens, try and remember, "this is the trip." Make the best of it. Learn from it.
All Your Other Disney World Planning Questions Answered
Don't be overwhelmed by Disney World planning! Take a second to check out our most important content and you'll not only be an expert, but you'll save big $$$ along the way.
Just starting out? Check out our Walt Disney World planning guide! If you're still picking dates, we've got everything you need to know about Disney World crowd calendars. For picking your hotel, check out our Walt Disney World hotels guide.
When it comes time to book we’ll help you find discount Disney World tickets. Decide whether you need a dining plan in our Complete Guide to Disney World Dining Plans! And don't forget to book those Disney World Advance Dining Reservations!
Don't forget to master your Disney World Genie+ and Lightning Lane strategy a few months in advance. We'll keep you out of long lines so you can maximize the magical time in the parks! We've got park-specific guides as well: Magic Kingdom Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, Epcot Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, Animal Kingdom Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, and Hollywood Studios Genie+ and Lightning Lanes.
Know what to ride with our guides to: Magic Kingdom rides, Hollywood Studios rides, Epcot rides, and Animal Kingdom rides! Plus learn about the water parks with our guide to Blizzard Beach and our guide to Typhoon Lagoon! And for some some fun prep, check out our Ranking of Every Ride at Walt Disney World.
Finally, before you head out, be sure to check out our to-the-point packing list, 10 essentials you forget to pack for every Disney trip. And if you're interested in saving, there's no better list than our 53 Ways to Save on your Disney trip from start to finish.