Jung Tsai

The idea for a Disney gathering to celebrate my 80th milestone birthday was originally conceived by my daughter. One of the advantages of being the elder in the family is that you’re no longer responsible for organizing things—you just follow the itinerary prepared by your adult children when travel plans are in place.

The Magic Kingdom has a special place in my memory. I vividly recall our first family visit in 1984: my son Stephen was five, and my daughter Fausan was nine. My late wife Sherry and I marveled at the then-new Kennedy Space Center during a day trip. That year was also unforgettable because of the legendary NBA Dream Team, with Michael Jordan at his peak. Stephen was determined to get a team jersey—he didn’t care which one, as long as it was from the team.

Fast forward to 2025—travel has changed. Just days before our departure, a new airport regulation was introduced: unless your driver’s license is “enhanced,” you must bring your passport for domestic flights. This prompted Julie and Moon to make a 3 a.m. drive back to New York to retrieve my passport—and Moon’s—avoiding daytime traffic. At the airport, we were asked to place our index fingers on a lighted scanner to verify our identities. Facial recognition can fail with aging—glasses change, hairlines recede, wrinkles deepen—but fingerprints remain constant from birth.

(J. Li et al., “Limb Development Genes Underline Variation in Human Fingerprint Patterns,” Cell, 185(2022):95–112.)

Julie had rented a spacious home in a gated community with a pool to accommodate 7 adults and 7 children. A recreation center within walking distance offered everything for children’s water game. We spent one whole day here.This was a far cry from the Holiday Inns we stayed at 40 years ago. Upon arrival, I was pleasantly surprised to find my nephew Michael, his wife Jennifer, and their two children already there. The house was full—and full of life.

At Animal Kingdom, we chose the African Safari: a 110+ acre ride across a savanna filled with rhinos, antelopes, buffaloes, giraffes, lions, elephants, and zebras. I joked that this might save us a future trip to Africa. I also learned that lions are nocturnal—they sleep during the day and hunt at night, the opposite of our human rhythm. The “Lion King” show was the highlight of the day. These days, animated animals have replaced the real ones I remember from childhood circuses—likely due to growing animal rights awareness and the rise of advanced AI animatronics.

We experienced no shortage of fantasy: The Little Mermaid musical, Peter Pan, Mickey and Minnie’s Railway, and Aladdin’s magic carpet ride. No matter the hour, the lines were long and relentless. But this is the most magical place on Earth, where the impossible feels possible.

The most exhilarating part of the trip for me was the new Tron roller coaster. I mounted my own futuristic motorcycle and launched into a high-speed ride through a computerized world called the Grid—a horizonless expanse of dark and neon. While waiting in line, warning videos advised those with high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart conditions to reconsider. I repeatedly rejected My daughter pleaded by iPhone “Daddy, please don’t do it.” There was no safety belt—just a handlebar to grip tightly. I held on with all my might, daring to open my eyes occasionally to glimpse flashes of the digital world. In the end, I passed the test.

Would I do it again? Probably not. Or… maybe. Who knows?

Rain came every afternoon, washing away the Florida heat. Visitors were well-prepared in plastic ponchos. Unfortunately, the Snow White show and castle fireworks were delayed. So We returned home early and played pocket billiards late into the night.

The next morning, Fausan and Walter had an early flight to Los Angeles to visit co-parent-in-law. Watching their car drive away was a somber moment.

Thank you, my family, for an indelible 80th birthday celebration—too many loved ones in too little time, too much joy squeezed into too few days, too far rush in too precious impede. 

We look forward to returning to the Magic Kingdom again—perhaps in 2064.