Lessons About Attitude From Walt Disney World

Posted by carriew2012 in Uncategorized

Most Lessons Are Caught – Not Taught…Especially Attitude!

From Disney World where we are having a great time, as always!

However, there are some families here that are doing what we are doing, staying where we are staying, riding the same rides, seeing the same shows…and SOMEHOW – don't seem to be having the same good time we are…WHY?

I suggest that it's the power of ATTITUDE!

If you choose not to listen to the Disney characters, the music, the laughing and the fun noise…then what you hear is this:

• "I'm tired of waiting in line."
  
• "That is too expensive!"
  
• "It is too crowded!"
  
• "My feet hurt!"
  
•  "Rain? Are you kidding me?"
  
• "I wanted to sit in the front!"
  
• "It's hot."
  
•  "I'm starrrrvvvvvving!"
  

And that is among the choruses of "I want this, I want that, Can I have this, Why does she have that…"

 WOW! What a reality check for my gang and I! We are traveling with my kids (ages 3-11), my younger brother (18) and a friend of his (19) and then my husband and I (26 weeks pregnant at the time).  You would THINK that with our age ranges and varying tastes…we'd have trouble getting everyone to agree or be happy. (After all, there is NOT MUCH APPEAL in the Dumbo ride for an 18 year old!)

NOW – what that means realistically is that sometimes we do little kid stuff, sometimes big kid stuff, sometimes rides and sometimes shows – all the time KNOWING that we give and take for the good of everyone.

We have a "no complaining" rule…and I enforce that strictly (that means the adults too!)

On a very practical level, I do what I can to ward off most whining…before it happens.

    * We all carry snacks so that when we're hungry or thirsty, we just handle it.

    * We have a stroller for the toddler so that when she's tired and cranky, she can have a nap

    * We carry ponchos in our backpacks so when it showers, we just put on our slickers and keep going!

    * We come to the park early in the day before the lines start growing so that we can ride without waiting very long. (we plan ahead – *gasp*)

    * We take the park map and plan in blocks so that we're alternating who is getting "catered to."

    * One of the most vital things we do is to talk about fun things that are happening and dwell on great things instead  of the things that go wrong!

    For example, my husband and kids got stuck in the Haunted Mansion ride in the dark when the ride broke down.  My older 2 kids (10 & 11) were already scared and this did NOT help!  So, their Dad proceeded to talk about what a great thing it was to be in the air conditioning and resting their eyes in the dark, pretending about silly ghosts when they COULD be in the heat and blazing sun waiting in line. (Brilliant!) I'm sure that did alot more for their outlook than complaining about the ride breaking and being in the scary dark! Don't you think?

I'm sad for the parents and kids and couples that are "doing Disney World" with negativity instead of dwelling on the great and wonderful things that are happening! You may think that I'm viewing things through "rose-colored glasses" or a stilted lens of realism…WELL – MAYBE I AM!!  In which case, I wish I could share that perspective with YOU!

How can you apply this same view to your office? To your home? To your marriage or even your relationship with your friends?

I'd like to hear some of those "attitude adjuster" scenarios below if you'd like to share a comment!

*Note: this article was written when I was 26 weeks pregnant with the 4 yr old in the photo above. But some lessons never change…*