Two Boys in Disney World

Since we have been here we have truly noticed two different characters in Disney World. They are James and Joel.  Let's start with the oldest.

Joel is adorable and polite.  He can also whine and manipulate with the best of them.  He is just like his Mom.  However, at Disney World, like many children, he is a heightened sense of himself.  This can be hysterical, and this can be incredibly frustrating.

Take the times when he is all dressed up to go somewhere and the general crowd oohs and ahhs over him.  He is quick with a thank you and will flash a smile like: "yeah, I know I am handsome, you're welcome."  At least he said Thank you.  When he needs something he will ask politely, even moreso than usual - and the best - if you explain to him a rule, such as: You can only buy one toy at the end of the vacation so only look and do not touch…  He listens to you and agrees!  And then repeats the rule back to you when you are in the store and he is tempted to freak out for the desire to own another stuffed animal.  "No, I will keep looking because I only get one toy."  Love him.

 But, he also freaks out for no reason about rides.  Which is breaking his father's heart.  He goes to get on a ride and you can see immediately the tense nature, the scared thoughts - will this one get me wet?  Will I fall 50 feet?  I have begged and begged Joel Husband to stop making him do the rides because he just cries the entire time and then it is fun for no one (and he is crying so much that there is absolutely no chance he will ever just snap out of it and then say he likes it).  So, instead - the mean Mom I am I say things like: "You won't like that water slide, you get wet and it is too high and only the big kids like to do it, you are not big enough yet."  Then he goes on it proudly and loves it.  And goes again and again.  Let's hope we can turn around his thoughts on some of the rides he has sworn off…

But for all the ride-drama there is something Joel Andrew brings to this visit - and that is his flair for participation and theatrics.  I will never forget this visit for the time that Joel Andrew was selected to play the role of Beast on Tales with Belle.  He had so much fun, and was the best Beast they had ever seen.  He looked so proud and happy dancing with Belle.  It was awesome.   This carries on - when the Muppets need help he is the first in a high audience to tell them where Bean is.  He is a ham, super on it and super smart.  Not afraid of a crowd for sure.

Then there is the other guy.  Cute is not the word.  Loving, caring, and ready for adventure.  But certainly not ready for the crowd.  James has gone on every singe ride, and on Mine Train twice in a row (Mom and Dad ride shared).  He is 2 years younger than Joel.  When I rode with him on Mine Train, we were in the front seat and he was yelling with glee and steering the train with his hands.  He is the first to high-5 you when you get off the ride.

But don't pay him a compliment or ask him to get up on stage.  Looking just as dapper as his older brother, James gets the compliments as well.  And he shrugs his face into his neck and turns away.  This from the guy who is so outwardly affectionate with his family.

He too played a role in Tales with Belle - Phillippe the horse.  Not so much activity there other than - to the great dismay of the Disney man thinking this kid is going to get the most laughs - again, shrugging into himself and trying to turn away all while a look of anger at "why am I up here?" is on his face.  This was repeated when we went to Raglan Road last night and he finally got up there to dance.  Totally terrified.

So, we have two different boys who are enjoying (and not enjoying) two different Disney experiences. It is awesome and funny to watch them together and to enjoy different things and be different people.  They seem to be having a good time, now that we are not forcing rides or public appearances on anyone anymore...