A Disney dream come true

Any Disney fan can agree. If you only live 4 hours from a Disney park, you MUST go. For the last 2 years I have been waiting for the perfect timing for such a trip and it finally came true. Brock is at that sweet age where travel is a lot easier than it was even 6 months ago, and he is still young enough that he doesn’t require a ticket for admission. PLUS this time of year is the low season for Disneyland Paris which means shorter lines and a more enjoyable experience for a solo mom and toddler. So when Fil came home on Thursday saying he would be away Monday-Thursday of the following week, I jumped to book our hotel.  

Accidentally finding Brock’s one fear

Last weekend we unexpectedly scared the pants off of poor Mr. Brock. Here in Germany we have started to view the sun again, so naturally we went out exploring. We set out to Morsdorf, just about an hour away, to see the Geierlay suspension bridge. At 360 meters (about 1,200 ft) long and 100 meters (over 300 ft) high it is not only the longest suspension bridge in Germany but it was perfectly terrifying to Brock. The original idea for this bridge was abandoned in 2006 because it was deemed infeasible, but in October of 2015, only 130 days after construction began, the bridge was opened.

One writer said that it was “chicken soup for the soul” but we disagree. Fil seemed fine, but immediately I could tell that Brock was scared. We got about halfway across and I said I wasn’t going any further. With each step we could feel the sway of the bridge below us and it was a bit much for me. Me, a motorcycle riding, high speed driving, white water rafting adventurer was not game to walk all the way across. Brock and Fil walked a bit further before Brock lost it and started screaming.

Brock’s face says “WTF guys, NOT COOL”

Not that he melts down a lot in public, but this was the first time we weren’t embarrassed by it. Other visitors just laughed and smiled at him until we got him calmed down. As soon as we got off the bridge he slumped in his stroller and held on tight. Poor kiddo. We were not expecting that at all. Brock is so fearless and loves rough and tumble play, jumping across our couches, bellyflopping on our bed, and swinging high at the playground. Not only that, but I have plenty of friends to have also hiked to the bridge and crossed with little ones with no issues. We felt terrible.

That experience was a week ago, and he still points to the bridge post card on the wall with a scared look saying “bridge”—he doesn’t interact with any of the other almost 50 postcards we have. But I think I have a way to make up for the trauma…. Brock and I are headed to Disneyland Paris in a few days while Fil is away (again) for work! I am so excited and I just know Brock will love it!

Below is a tourist video for the bridge… it’s pretty dramatic and cheesy, but you get great views of the bridge: