The Magic of WDW

MarkandAmy

MarkandAmy

Active Member
Original Poster
Lately, my DW and I have been guiding our DS (12) through everyone's favorite time in life...middle school. Specifically, he has been struggling with bullies, not quite fitting in, etc., and has come home from school in tears on more than one ocassion. Without going into too many details, I'll just say that it has been a very hard time for my DS.

Last week we drove to south Florida to visit my in-laws for Spring Break. Of course, DS was bored, spent much time "plugged-in" and couldn't wait to leave.

On our drive home, we needed to drive on I-4 (through Orlando). Without any discussion, I took the Disney exit and headed to WDW. My DW gave me a look that showed that she understood, and as we approached the Welcome sign we told our son where we were. In an instant, this little boy (ok, maybe not, but he'll always be our little boy) lit up, smiled the biggest smile we've seen in a very long time, and said, "I love you guys." My wife and I teared up at this instant show of joy from someone who has been down for so long.

Even though we only stopped into Downtown Disney for the afternoon, I was amazed to see how this little detour completely changed my DS's mood. It's been three days, and he's still smiling...

For everyone who uses this forum to complain about so much that Disney is doing wrong, this little afternoon trip proved to me just how much Disney does right. The magic is still there...
 
Jimmy Thick

Jimmy Thick

Well-Known Member
MarkandAmy said:
For everyone who uses this forum to complain about so much that Disney is doing wrong, this little afternoon trip proved to me just how much Disney does right. The magic is still there...
Click to expand...


Of course it's still there, people just don't know, or want to see it.


Jimmy Thick-Can't find that magic at Universal.
 
jlevis

jlevis

Well-Known Member
What a great and moving story. I'm so glad your son got to feel the magic. Goes to show that even DTD has that magic for some.
 
JIMINYCR

JIMINYCR

Well-Known Member
MarkandAmy said:
smiled the biggest smile we've seen in a very long time, and said, "I love you guys."
Click to expand...

Thanks for the uplifting story. It made my day. My son struggled with bullies at school also and this made his grades suffer. Unfortunately we got no help from the school administrators because the bullies were from "the prominent families". Fortunately we gave our son the support from home that he needed and we got through the tough years. Great to hear you both are there to help him and to hear that he appreciates you too. Let him know others have been there too and have made it through.
 
MarkandAmy

MarkandAmy

Active Member
Original Poster
JIMINYCR said:
Thanks for the uplifting story. It made my day. My son struggled with bullies at school also and this made his grades suffer. Unfortunately we got no help from the school administrators because the bullies were from "the prominent families". Fortunately we gave our son the support from home that he needed and we got through the tough years. Great to hear you both are there to help him and to hear that he appreciates you too. Let him know others have been there too and have made it through.
Click to expand...


Yes, we've had similar experiences with school administrators:brick:. Luckily, the school year is almost over and we can look forward to a fun, though Disney-less, summer.
 
real mad hatter

real mad hatter

Well-Known Member
Great Story.

Yep,Our boy is that age and very quiet compared to his school pals,always worry about things that.But that's a magic story that brings a happy ever ending and long may it last.:wave:
 
Disnee4Me

Disnee4Me

Well-Known Member
What a great ending to a sad story. Middle school bullying is the worse. My son was bullied at age 12 by two brothers who I called "section 8 riff raff". Their mother had six kids by 5 different fathers and by the time they were moved into my neighborhood (there previous home had been set on fire) their oldest brother was already in jail. They along with a cop's 12 year old son (with a juvenile delinquent record) not only egged our house and bullied my son in school, but they were about to gang jump him on the bus. Of course, the police did nothing, but shoot the breeze with daddy bully cop. This was in November '07, and as it turned out we were headed to WDW for Christmas that year (and the following 2 years after that). It definitely cheered my son up. And my story has a happy ending too ... got my son transferred to a different high school. He's now a junior and looking forward to returning to WDW for Christmas-New Years Eve 2013-14
 
scpergj

scpergj

Well-Known Member
I'm so glad that we have not had to deal with this...much.

Our (now 14) son was being bullied both in school and on the bus. By a girl. Since he wouldn't hit back and just laughed at her, the issue got so bad she actually threatened to stab him on the bus the next day - which was her downfall. There were witnesses (even her friends said it was all her, that my son was just an easy target) and the girl got suspended from both school and the bus. Parents tried to come after my wife and I while working on our yard one afternoon - their wonderful little girl wouldn't do that, it was all my son's fault - and I had to threaten to call the police. He still flips me off every time he sees me in my yard. I take my sons example...I just ignore it.

Thing is, my son didn't think it was a big deal...he is a black belt in karate and can most definitely take care of himself, but we didn't want to take any chances with his life (and yes, they learn how to defend against a knife attack...still...). Turns out we were right. Whatever you do, please do whatever you can with your child's school, and if necessary, the police.

Oh...even at 14 our son keeps asking when we can go back to WDW. Sounds like it is your sons happy place as much as ours!
 

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