“Are you out of your mind??!?!” This has been the typical reaction from friends and family since I announced my recent trip to Disney World. After all, it’s been over two weeks since I returned from this whirlwind adventure with my four-year-old daughter and her father, and the messages just keep coming.
Every day, Disney World attracts over 50,000 visitors, so what made our trip so noteworthy? Well, it’s because we’re divorced, and it’s not common for separated parents to embark on family outings to the happiest place on earth together—at least not for us.
My daughter’s father and I parted ways shortly after she turned two. While some might have seen it coming, it certainly shook our lives to the core. As soon as the dust settled, lawyers intervened, setting up an intricate web of co-parenting rules. We tackled schedules, overnight stays, and financial responsibilities, but the question that lingered was this: Who would take our daughter to Disney first?
To those outside the situation, this may seem trivial, but living in Florida—the home of Disney—makes trips to the park almost a rite of passage for kids. By the time Bella was three, many of her friends had already enjoyed multiple visits, leaving her feeling left out. I could only promise her a trip someday, knowing full well the complexities involved in making it happen.
When I realized my daughter’s fascination with princesses wouldn’t last forever, I decided it was finally time to arrange that long-awaited trip. And, yes, it would be with my ex-husband.
Before I delve deeper, let me clarify our relationship: we are not the picture-perfect co-parents who easily get along. We’re far from it. But I knew we needed to make an effort—for Bella’s sake.
So, with our egos tucked away and Disney magic bands on our wrists, we piled into the same car for the drive to Orlando. Bella, thrilled just to have both parents in the vehicle, didn’t even question where we were headed—she was simply happy to be together. However, after not sharing a car ride for over two years, the atmosphere felt charged with unspoken words and anxiety.
The journey started with palpable tension. It was uncomfortable, as this was no longer our norm. We both felt the weight of trying to re-establish some friendly rapport for our daughter, who was watching our every move from the backseat.
Nearing four hours later, the magical “Welcome to Disney World” sign came into view. Bella instantly recognized the surprise, and her ecstatic reaction melted away the tension—it was a precious moment of laughter and joy that reminded us why we were there: our daughter’s happiness. Although our romantic relationship had ended, the love we once shared produced the most important person in our lives, and we wanted to ensure she felt that love, even if it looked different now.
To answer the burning question: no, we did not share a hotel room. In fact, we stayed at different hotels, despite Bella’s sweet request for us to both tuck her in at night. We made a conscious decision to keep things separate to avoid confusing her—our goal was to show her that harmony is possible, even among divorced parents.
Was the trip flawless? Not at all. Was it challenging? Definitely. There were moments when we were reminded of why we are better off apart. But would I do it all again? Absolutely. Bella deserved this unique experience with both of us, even if we no longer share bedtime rituals.
This adventure not only brought us closer as co-parents but also helped Bella create priceless memories.
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Summary:
I took a memorable trip to Disney World with my ex-husband and our daughter, Bella, despite the challenges of our divorced status. Our journey was filled with tension, laughter, and moments of realization about co-parenting. Ultimately, we created lasting memories for Bella, demonstrating that love for our child can transcend our differences.