Meet Gary!
Hello Rope Droppers! If you are reading this, I assume you listened to my beautiful voice on Rope Drop Radio July 3rd. ( If you haven’t, please download, rate , and subscribe. You can also leave a comment and Doug will read it.)
Anyway, going on Rope Drop Radio was an absolute thrill to me. Getting to talk Disney with Derek and Doug was an awesome experience, and I can not wait to hopefully (fingers crossed) get back on the air with them.
When a new guest comes on Rope Drop they always get to tell their Disney story. What that means is how that guest became a fan of Disney and the Parks. When I was asked, I gave an abbreviated version of my story but I wanted to expand upon it and open up to you, the Readers/ listeners, so you all can see why I love the Disney Parks so much. I will do this by breaking down my Disney past, present, and hopes for the future.
Past
My first trip to Disney was in 1993, but I was 2 and have zero memories of that trip. So were going to fast forward to 2004.
We were all sitting around the dinner table when my mom and dad told my sisters and myself that we were going on a vacation to Walt Disney World. Sixth grade me was absolutely ecstatic. They informed us of the trip about 5 months prior to us leaving so I meticulously researched every ride and made a list of things I wanted to go on and what I wanted to see, and I came to the decision that I was going to ride my first roller coaster, Big Thunder Mountain. The first day we went to the Magic Kingdom I stood in line and regretfully took the chicken exit out. I was disappointed in myself and to compound my stupid decision of not riding Big Thunder Mountain, we went back. I psyched myself up to ride again and, lo and behold, Big Thunder Mountain was closed for refurbishment.
This trip was the last trip to Disney World that I was able to take with my father. My father was my best friend, and one of the coolest things about going to Disney World with your parents is seeing them act like children as well. Some of my fondest memories with my dad come from this trip. To see your father act like a kid and laugh with you, let you eat ice cream at 9 a.m. and scream every single time that head popped up form behind the tombstones on The Haunted Mansion when we broke down in the graveyard scene are memories that are priceless. If I learned anything from this trip, it was to never loose the kid inside you. Like my dad never did.
I don’t have a photo of me and my dad on that trip but I found one from the year 2004 to share with you.
PRESENT
OK Lets brighten up this blog post a little bit
2010 was my senior year of high school where I was lucky enough to meet the most important person in my life. My wife Kate. She is now my best friend. She has filled my life with nothing but joy and I look forward to spending my life with her.
Disney has provided Kate and I with billions of memories, from just sitting around on our couches arguing which ride is better at The Magic Kingdom or getting up at 7 a.m. to book our fast passes. We are Disney fanatics through and through. I have more fun on trip’s to Walt Disney World with Kate than any other trip I have ever taken.
On our last trip in 2017, I decided to ask Kate a very important question.
And she said YES!
Then, in 2019, we tied the knot.
Kate and I have been very lucky to travel to Walt Disney World multiple times. Her family is members of the DVC, and now I get to enjoy those benefits with her. (Vacation Club not a TimeShare.)
In the 10 years we have been together, we’ve been to Walt Disney World six times and also went to Disneyland once.
We are currently planning a trip back down to Florida in September of this year (fingers crossed).
She is my Disney partner for life, and I wouldn’t want it any other way!
Future
Now, no one can predict what is going to happen in life, but when asked in the lighting round what is my Disney bucket list item I said, “I want to have a son or daughter and get the chance to coach them at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. ”
I was lucky enough to travel there in college as a member of the Lacrosse team, but I was unable to play in the game. I stupidly decided to get into a fight in the game when we were leading by many goals. (One of my biggest regrets in my life so far.) If you are reading this, don’t fight. It solves nothing.
So sure, saying I want to coach my child in Disney may seem a little sappy buy hey its the honest truth. It combines my two favorite things sports and Walt Disney World.
Disney in itself is not just a theme park. Memories that happen there can leave footprints on your heart. That’s why they call it the most magical place on Earth.
Every time I leave Disney I get to take a moment of pure happiness with me and that is what vacations should truly be about.
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