While Winter Storm Jonas was wreaking havoc on the mid-Atlantic, I was living it up in Florida, specifically Disney World. Disney is the most wonderful place in the world, and being there makes my heart sing “When You Wish Upon A Star.” But, I didn’t know that stupid Jonas would affect the weather in my happy place. I found myself in a battle against the cold, and I would not lose. The cold would not prevent me from having a magical Disney experience.
Going into this vacation, I thought that I would experience day after day of beautiful 80 degree sunshine, and that I would come back with an aura of golden light around my body. Boy, was I wrong. At least half of the days I was there, it was in the 30s. Initially, I was super bummed! I did not sign up for a cold Florida! I decided to do some quiet reflection and realized that New England weather has put me in my place (in front of the fireplace with a heated blanket) too many times. The cold would not take me down this time. My preparations were extensive: I wore two pairs of socks, two pairs of gloves, two shirts, a sweatshirt, and a jacket. I felt like a barrel. Or the Pillsbury Doughboy.
Even though I had suited up for the weather, I started to worry that one of my favorite rides, Splash Mountain, would be closed due to the low temperature (for some scientific reason like ‘gosh diddly darn the water done made itself frozen!’). For those who don’t know, Splash Mountain is a “HIGH-SPEED WATER RIDE” with “INTENSE DROPS” and therefore is “NOT SUITED FOR ANYONE WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, HEAD/NECK/BACK PAIN, NAUSEA, OR RELATED MEDICAL ISSUES.” Oh, and one more thing: “YOU MAY GET WET.” Understatement of the century.
When I arrived in the Magic Kingdom, I rushed to Splash Mountain and was so excited to find that it was open. Plus, the wait time was only five minutes. Five!!!! Those Floridian cowards couldn’t handle getting a little wet on a chilly day. They preferred to wait in line for 80-100 minutes for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (which was, I must say, incredibly lame). I was beyond ready to go on Splash Mountain. I even dragged my Dad along, too, pictured below, sitting in the back row so he wouldn’t get wet (weak). I sat in the front row, the maximum splash zone.
I went on Splash Mountain until I was completely drenched. I then dried myself off under a hand dryer in the bathroom and drank my body weight in hot cocoa. I had won. I defeated the cold. I had the courage to fight back against Mother Nature, and for that, I got to ride Splash Mountain to my heart’s content. Next time the weather threatens to interfere with your plans, channel your inner Elsa, be one with the wind and sky, and don’t let the cold bother you (anyway).