Disney World — April 2003

Greg at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom. During Spring Break of Greg's third-grade year, we finally made the trek to Disney World. Isn't it required of all doting parents that they take their children there? If it isn't a requirement, it ought to be — we had the time of our lives. Monorails whisked us to our destinations within Disney World, where we visited with all kinds of characters: Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Max, Buzz Lightyear, Cinderella, Hercules, Prince John, Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore just to name a few. Amazing fireworks and light shows thrilled us at night. And the rides: Greg's favorite was Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (a roller coast through an Old West landscape in the Magic Kingdom). Mom and Dad's favorite was Dinosaur at the Animal Kingdom (a "jeep ride" through time and space, with very narrow escapes from meat-eating dinosaurs — the woman who guided us into our jeep informed us that 90% of the riders survive . . . ). And the classic rides like Pirates of the Carribean. And when, exhausted at the end of a day in one of Disney's kingdoms, we headed for "home," home was the Grand Floridian Resort on the edge of a gigantic lagoon, where the food and the service were wonderful. And where, no matter how tired we were, we had to hop in the pool and hurtle down the huge water slide — one of the best rides in all of Disney World! Everywhere we went, the Disney touch was in evidence. To borrow a term Walt himself might have used: It was magical.
Greg with two of A. A. Milne's most popular characters: Winnie the Pooh and Tigger.
Greg was warned about joy-riding on that Star Wars speeder at Disney/MGM Studios, but he wouldn't listen. Look where he and his mother ended up.
Left, above, Greg and his Mom almost get eaten by a Carnotaur at the Animal Kingdom. Right, above, Greg with Goofy and his son, Max.
Left, above, Greg, his Dad and his Mom "star" in Return of the Jedi at Disney/MGM Studios. Right, above, We made a one-day visit to Universal Studios (on the other side of Orlando from Disney) and Greg had a chance to give E.T. a lift.
	Left, The Magic Kingdom's landmark: Cinderella's Castle. The word "Magic" isn't just a marketing ploy — we really felt it. Above, Greg and his Dad visit with Jessie and Buzz Lightyear.
	Greg with Mickey Mouse — the real reason everyone comes to Disney World.