My Inspiration..."Facing Fears: Disney Style"

My whole inspiration for starting a blog came yesterday when I was going through my facebook posts.  I saw one of my Disney friends had posted "What was your first 'big-kid' ride at Disney World?"  I then started typing and next thing you know, my comment was too long so I made it a note on my facebook.  I'd like to share it on here for you as this is the first thing I wrote about Disney that everyone seemed to enjoy.

So sit back and relax and hang on for the ride...

Back when I was little--I always felt forced to get on all the rides. My parents didn't want to miss out on anything, so I was forced to face my fears and when I got off the rides---they were still fears but turned into reality. I never wanted to ride Splash Mountain because I didn't like the lack of security. No bar. No seat belt. NOTHING to hold me in the boat. I was terrified I would come flying up like the Wiley Coyote, the boat would be at the bottom of the fall, and there I would be, Mid-air, falling to my demise.

Once I got through the ride, I would remember how much I hated the feeling of falling and thinking I am NEVER getting on this ride EVER again. My husband and I honeymooned in Disney World in 2006, I refused to ride it. We went again in 2007 with my brother and sister in law and again I refused to ride it.  In 2008, We visited with my husband, my son (his first time), my mother in law, my parents and grandparents.

The first day that we visited Magic Kingdom, everyone but my son (4), grandfather and I got on the ride. We watched them fall down the hill, and my stomach was in knots just watching! 2 days later, we head back to Magic Kingdom and apparently they were conspiring against me.. here I was again, feeling like I was 5 years old-my parents and everyone else in my party was forcing me to face this fear of "THE DROP". I had no clue my parents talked my son onto the ride and since he was going, my grandfather decided to go as well.  I told everyone I would sit off of the ride and wait for them. Next thing you know, I am being dragged by my hand by my 4 year old saying "Come on Mommy!"  All the while thinking---OMG...I can not believe they talked him into thinking this is a fun ride! 

The whole way up the cue, I felt like i was going to literally either throw up or pee my pants.. I was SOO nervous.  I refused to sit up front, so my dad took my son to the front, and I sat in the back with my mother in law.  We get to the front of the line and boarded. I immediately start to panic because..once again, THERE WAS NOTHING TO HOLD ME DOWN! We start going through the ride and every time we hit a spot where I think its going to be the big drop.. I start screaming and freaking out saying I wanted to get off. My MIL (Bless her Heart!) kept trying to point to stuff... and at one point said "OH WOW, Look at that..isn't it cute?!" I Looked her in her eyes and said "THERE IS NOTHING CUTE ABOUT THIS RIDE!" I had the whole boat laughing...To me, it wasn't funny.

Next thing you know, we are ascending the big hill and I'm trying to find a place to jump out.  They would stop the ride and come get me, right?  So we go over the top of the big hill and I held my breath, knowing I would throw up..I just knew it. We start going down the hill, I had my eyes closed and held on for dear life!! We hit the bottom and I had a total of 5 drops on me, while everyone else was almost soaked. I literally started tearing up and was shaking...like REALLY?! THAT is what I was always scared of?! I get made fun of, to this day of how I reacted and that I cried.  After leaving the ride, we got pictures...we had to celebrate! 

Now... Tower of Terror is my next feat to accomplish and I'm praying that the next time we go, I wont chicken out!