It’s good to be me. Born in 1964, I share a birthday with some of Walt Disney’s best productions. It’s a Small World and Carousel of Progress ring a bell? We are the same age. Old? Heck no, we’re classics! So, here we are in 2014…on November 16th, it’ll be official – I’ll have reached the half-century mark. Clearly I’m comfortable with that (I’m freely admitting it right here for you to read) and it’s true what they say, you know, you’re only as old as you feel. I feel great. Gravity’s effects excluded, the original parts are holding up pretty well and I’m pretty low maintenance. I exercise regularly and try to eat right. In the marriage arena, I’m a winner! We will reach a marital milestone this year, too – 25th anniversary’s coming up on September 9th.
So, those of you who are in your twenties or thirties who are reading this and thinking – She’s
clearly delusional – that chick is OLD! Go right ahead, you young whippersnappers – Believe what you will. Sure, I have a few gray hairs and a couple of crows’ feet, but I’ve earned them! I don’t mind being “old” – I’m seasoned, well informed, wise even. I KNOW things now in a way I could only dream about way back when. We’ve raised our kids (who we love more than they’ll ever know) and we did a great job with that! They’re delightful, happy productive members of society and they love all things Disney! What more could we ask for?
For those of you who haven’t yet reached this incredibly special and rewarding phase of life and may be concerned about what it will be like, I give you…
The Top 5 Things About Being a 50-Year-Old Disney Fan:
1. Back to Pre-Kid Status, but Smarter! We’re DINKs again (Dual Income No Kids), but now we can spend money on Disney vacations in a more sensible, guilt-free way. The first time around we were in the super lean years – we did much more dreaming than doing (wouldn’t change a thing about that) and enjoyed Disney mostly in the form of movies, videos, toys and games. Visits to Walt Disney World were such a treat – and difficult to manage. Now we’ve earned our “money management” badges and make better choices day to day – resulting in better Disney vacations year to year.
2. The Many Forms of Disney Vacations! We’ve learned to appreciate all kinds of Disney trips. We love Disney Cruise Line and have enjoyed many different cruises of various lengths. We’ve experienced Walt Disney World at Value, Moderate, and Deluxe- resorts, and as DVC Members. We enjoyed every nanosecond of every Disney 
vacation – I’ll be honest, at one time, we were seriously broke! Staying on-property at all was a BIG DEAL! A special, hard earned luxury. I guess that’s why we still feel that way. Now, though, we can slow down more and appreciate those little Disney details…incredible.
3. ‘Ohana Means Family – Having “adult” (I still picture them as little) children means we can occasionally vacation without them and they’ll house-sit and dog-sit (our beloved dog, Junior, doesn’t fare well at a kennel). We LOVE taking The Fam with us on trips, but now that we no longer have our vacations dictated by school schedules, Raymond and I can get away for some alone time. We deserve it.
4. The Standby Lines are GREAT! When you remove the potential for childhood melt-downs, diaper changes, and whining – and you enjoy time alone with your family away from the stresses of everyday life, the standby lines are FUN! We enjoy each other’s company – time stands still and we can talk…really TALK…reminisce about past happy times at Walt Disney World, contemplate the meaning of specific aspects of various Disney Imagineering marvels, have some serious Hidden-Mickey-spotting competitions – you name it. If you love the company you’re keeping, the standby lines go by much faster and actually become happy memories in and of themselves.
5. SO Much to Look Forward To! Okay, I’d be lying if I said I don’t miss the fun Disney things you can do with little kids. Character meals, princess meet and greets, parades, hanging out by the pool – we DO look forward to the future when we may be fortunate enough to be blessed with grandchildren (some day…not too soon, though). Thinking about the potential of having a child to love as your own but being able to spoil them rotten…well, that would just be about the very best thing imaginable. Especially at Walt Disney World!!!
So, I’ll tell you again…it’s good to be me! I’m about to be 50 and I’m proud to say it. If you’ve been worried about being old like me, put those fears aside – I can’t find a downside here. I’m a Disney fan who grew up with ALL the best Disney things and I still have plenty of time to experience the next 50 years of… Living a Disney Life.
Leave a comment – what will you do when YOU are a 50 year old Disney fan?
I love that you still love Disney! We still haven’t taken our kids and I just can’t wait. I love that you still go with your kids. So sweet! Happy {belated} SITS day!
Happy SITS DAY! Congrats and good for you for following your Disney inspiration and enjoying it all these years. There are facets of Disney that are special to me too. I’m sure you have heard this before, but some of the pics of your husband look a little like Walt Disney…hmmmm. :o)
Hi Susan! Yes, indeed, my husband IS a handsome fellow ;). It’s hard to describe the role Disney vacations have played in our family – helped us through some really tough times to go there, get away from the real world and forget our troubles for a while – making the most of the opportunity to reconnect as a family while having heaps of fun. Thanks for visiting today…my SITS day was wonderful.
Hi Lisa! I had already found you blog, and now it’s your SITS day! I’m 47 and my family LOVES Disney! Hubby and I got to go to Disneyland for one day in January and it was so much fun. Of course we missed the boys, but it was great to do our own thing. We’re all going to DW in November for a family trip. LOVE your blog – I will be visiting often 🙂
Hi Lana – I’m a subscriber to your blog and like your style! I’m happy to know you have an upcoming trip to WDW and I’m excited for your family to experience all the great Disney magic there.
Stopping by from SITS girls link… love that you are so young at heart! I’m an empty-nester and thought you’d enjoy seeing the Shabby Chic Disney Baby Shower my daughter and I did:
http://wateringcanblog.com/2013/07/24/shabby-chic-disney-baby-shower/
Feel free to use the ideas for any future grandbabies! ;o)
Vickie! The shower pictures are amazing! So beautiful and classy but still Disney. I love the onesie made with the stamp on the front! Thanks for sharing it with me – takes a Disney themed shower to a whole new level.
Happy SITS day! I am a 25 year old Disney fanatic and I’m so excited to be moving to Southern California soon- I’ll be able to visit the park more frequently! It’ll be a long time before I can go without my kids, though.
Awww, I love your enthusiasm for all things Disney! I myself have never been to DisneyWorld/Land or on a cruise BUT would love to go with children one day. Or maybe I’ll just take a page out of your book and go on a vacation with my partner in crime. Love this. Happy happy SITS day! Hope you enjoyed your day in the spotlight 🙂
I had never heard of the term DINK before, it will be a long time before we are at DINK status with a 2 and 6 year old. Happy SITS Day.
Hi Sonya! You’ve got a lot of fun and joy ahead of you in the years to come. It literally seems like yesterday that our kids were 2 and 6! Enjoy every minute.
Sounds like fun! My kids are still little, but I’s sure my husband and I will be enjoying Disney for years to come! Happy SITS day!
I’m pretty biased, Lauren, but Walt Disney World is the place we like the best. We’re headed there next month and our kids (using the term loosely) are as excited now as they were when they were little. Thank you for visiting.
I love how you captured Disney memories. I am also a Disney addict. We would visit Disneyland every year of my childhood. Time to visit again.
Enjoy your SITS Day!
Rachel recently wrote How to Find Your Niche
Disney is a special place and I get why it lives on in the hearts of so many. It’s so refreshing to read a blog about something so sunshiny and happy. Thanks for sharing your love of Disney with all of us 🙂
Love and Luck,
Laurali Star
http://www.thesecretsurprisinista.com
I love being only 2 hours from Disney so that I can build lots of memories with my family. I loved your pictures of going to Disney throughout the years. Congrats on your 25th anniversary coming up! What a great reason to go to Disney 😉 Happy SITS Day!
How fun! We are going to Disneyland for the first time with my hubby and five year old twins in September. I have been before (years ago…) but neither my girls or husband have, so it will be an adventure! We are so excited! I hope that I can learn more about Disney here! I will be checking out your site often! Thanks!
Thanks, Elizabeth! Adventures are the best kind of family activitity in the world. I hope you have a wonderful trip – the girls are going to love it.
This post gave me the energy I needed today!
Glad I could help, Laina. Hope the rest of your day is great.
Love your enthusiasm. I’m 1/2 way to an empty nest and agree with you wholeheartedly! How can one resist the happiest place in earth, at any age? Happy SITS day!
Hi Tammi – LOL…enthusiasm’s my middle name! Thanks for stopping by.
Hi!! Visiting from SITS. It’s my first time reading your blog and I love your Disney enthusiasm. My husband and I have been going to Disney annually. I am certain that when I’m 50, I’ll still love Disney then like I do now. Someday I’d love to take a Disney cruise (maybe for a milestone birthday??) Have a great day!
Love that you are getting to experience the magic in a whole new way! Hope you have a very happy SITS day! 🙂
Thank you – keeps me feeling young!
Wonderful, uplifting post! I’m just seven years behind you, Lisa, and currently navigating the tween/teen years with my boys. I cherish every Disney trip we take with them, knowing that these years are precious and will go by so quickly. It’s good to know there’s more to look forward to, even after they’re grown.
Hey there, Heather! I’m glad you found it uplifting! I just remember when I was in my 20’s and 30’s thinking that 50 sounded so OLD and I had lots of time before I had to experience middle age. LOL! Went by in the blink of any eye!
I’ll be a lot like you when I’m fifty, so happy to go to Disney with a bigger budget! Love your blog and all things Disney!
Thanks, Jenny! Having a bigger budget has been helpful for sure (we cruised with Disney in the Mediterranean last summer), but we sure did have fun when we had to scrimp and save for so long just to stay NEAR the parks – made us appreciate where we are now so much more, I think. Thanks for stopping by! Please visit again sometime.
Sounds like a blast!
We love all things Disney. Well, my kids and I do. My husband could probably do without it.
Thanks, Amber. Sorry to hear that about your husband – maybe you and your kids can convert him to a Disney fan someday! Glad you stopped by for a visit.
It’ll be a few years before I’m at the 50-year mark, but it makes me smile to know that Disney is still fun even after being a fan for so many years. My husband and I are near 30, but we still get at least one “isn’t Disney for kids???” every time we go. Ain’t gonna stop me.
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Hello Meg! I know what you mean. Disney specializes in entertaining guests of ALL ages! My husband and I could have chosen a lot of places to celebrate our 25th anniversary this fall, but we’re going back to Disney World for the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival AND Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party – alone! I’m with you – some people just don’t understand the draw and that’s perfectly fine with me – they won’t be adding the the crowds.
I will be 50 next year but have never been to Disney. Maybe that’s where we will go for my birthday!
Enjoy your SITs Day!
Hi Susie – thanks for dropping by again. I’m a little sad that you’ve never been to Disney…you should definitely go!
I’ve beat you to this milestone and I’m celebrating it too!
I refuse to act ‘old’ and look for inspiration from others to feel the same way. As always, I will act like a little kid on my next trip to Disney World. Our kids of 18, 20, and 22 will be with us as well as two friends on our next trip. Everyone is excited for this 25 wedding anniversary trip. It’s going to be an amazing family celebration. I think my kids are finally beginning to appreciate the work we put in supporting and raising them. Excellent post, Lisa and let’s continue to celebrate all that is good.