Disneyland and Disney World are famously popular for Canadian families. After all, who wouldn’t want to leave the snow and sleet behind to visit the happiest place on Earth. When Mark got his Record Suspension in 2014, there was still something missing.
Mark is a construction worker in Calgary. He married his high school girlfriend, Sandra, 25 years ago. They have two kids who are now nine and 12. Mark knew it was important to get a Record Suspension, so that he could be a good role model for his kids.
“I wanted to be there for them, volunteering on their sports teams, selling raffle tickets at their school fundraisers,” he says. “I didn’t want to just sit on the sidelines.”
With a Record Suspension, Mark is able to participate fully in his kids’ lives, but something was missing. His children had loved Disney films, toys and TV shows since they were old enough to play. In fact, Mark himself had fond memories growing up with stories like the Jungle Book and Robin Hood. Meanwhile, he would talk to other dads and listen to them tell their stories about Disneyland, and listen to his kids talk about going someday.
“I didn’t want this to be just a dream for my kids,” he says, “But what could I do?”
US Entry Waivers
When he learned about US Entry Waivers, he realized there was something he could do. He was earning enough to afford the tickets and hotels, and he was qualified.
“I contacted Pardon Services Canada and it was easy,” he said. “They kept everything confidential, while I played my cards close to my chest at home.”
After he delivered his application package, he started researching package deals to help save money. As soon as he received his waiver approval from the US government, he hit the send button on his reservation confirmation.
That Christmas he pulled the biggest box he could find out of the basement. He put the itinerary at the bottom and filled the rest of the box with Styrofoam, tissue paper and crumpled newspapers. He wrapped the box and addressed it to his family from Santa. This was going to be the biggest surprise his family ever received.
Disneyland Magic
“I really wanted them to be bowled over,” he says. On Christmas morning, he watched the kids dig through the seemingly empty box with a twinkle in his eye. “They kept glaring at me convinced that it was just an empty box, until they found the envelope at the bottom.”
That spring break, the family packed and left for a magical vacation. “Disneyland was everything we expected,” he says. “Once you are inside the gates, the outside world just melts away.”
For Mark, the most important feeling was realizing that he had put the past behind him.
“For the first time, I realized I could be there completely in all aspects of my children’s lives,” he says. “Thanks to Pardon Services Canada, my kids didn’t have to dream about going to Disneyland without me.”
A US Entry Waiver lets you enter the United States as many times as you like for a period between six months and five years. If you would like to plan a family vacation in the United States, contact us for a free consultation at 1-866-972-7366.