Yesterday I went to Legoland and took my daughter on her first roller coaster ride. And then a couple of more. I hadn't been on one in about twenty-five years. I ride bikes and ski fast to get my thrills these days, but I had forgotten just how much fun even a kid-friendly ride on a coaster can be.
It's not a new or earth-shattering insight for parents but having children re-opens your eyes to the world in surprising and refreshing ways. Our kids may be the closet thing we have to a time machine. Today brought me way back, and it reminded me of the importance of play and fun. I saw it in my daughter's eyes, her smile, and heard it in her voice. But I felt it myself and saw it in every other dad's faces. Awesome time. And then there were of course the Legos.
Thanks to Lego for being a kick-ass brand and for creating such a cool family experience. I am a deep cynic when it comes to amusement parks. I get very turned off by crowds, dirty facilities, bad service and marketing. But they do it right. It's not just fun. It's smart fun. Great people, clever engineering and craftsmanship, pretty clean facilities, talented artists, good food, ageless and interactive rides, and relatively, eco-friendly design. They promote creativity and play for just about everyone. They do more than just talk about it. They pay it off through the experience.
Looking forward to another visit in the not so distant future. Next time I bring my parents.
