I Went to Disney World!

Seven trips and it never gets old. Even though I spent the first day half crazed out of my mind due to lack of sleep and being hopped up on energy drinks. Magic Kingdom was as magical as ever, with rides, yummy food, fireworks, and of course, Mickey Mouse.

We experienced the PeopleMover, Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, Carousel of Progress, Mickey’s Philharmagic, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor (where I got to be on the big screen and use my psychic powers to convince the monster onscreen that he could know which number I was thinking of), and it’s a small world.

Characters met: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pirate Goofy, Ariel, Belle, and Cinderella.
Restaurant: Liberty Tree Tavern (dinner) and Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe (snack)

Challenges appeared that evening when I realized that my luggage hadn’t turned up (typically, Disney will retrieve it and bring it to our rooms, but there was some snafus early in the process, and in this case, it completely broke down). The next morning, I still had no luggage and I was developing a migraine. We nipped that in the bud with a cocktail of Bayer, Extra Strength Tylenol, and an energy shot. By the time we got to Hollywood Studios to meet my friend Keri, the headache was gone.

keri and me

I was too chicken to ride Tower of Terror (also, my stomach was queasy from aforementioned drug cocktail) so I passed on it. I did, however, ride and LOVE (as usual) Rockin’ Rollercoaster.

We watched the Pixar’s Countdown to Fun parade, which wasn’t as good as the Block Party Bash used to be, but it was still neat.

We experienced Rockin’ Rollercoaster, Star Tours, the Beauty and the Beast stage show, and Muppet Vision 3D, which is the best 3D show in the parks (although I do love me some Mickey’s Philharmagic!)

Restaurants: ABC Commissary (lunch) and Kona Cafe in the Polynesian (dinner)

Day Three = still no luggage. Disney was on it, though. They were going back and forth with Southwest, and I finally had to come to terms with the fact that my stuff might be gone forever. Keri had brought me some clothes, and because I was running out of underwear that I’d packed in my carry on, I knew that I’d need to buy stuff later that evening. Whatever. We headed to Epcot and the first thing we did was grab Fast Passes for Soarin’. Then we got in line because Soarin’ only had a 25 minute wait which is UNHEARD OF. That attraction almost always has at least an hourlong wait. At least.

While I was in line for Princess Aurora and Prince Philip (the princes were out!!), I got a call from someone who had my bag! It had gotten picked up by someone who thought it was a friend of theirs, and was in Gainesville. The girl I talked to was very sweet, but between us two, the airline people, etc., we realized that I’d not get my bag back in time to finish out my vacation. Oh well. I continued to have fun anyway.

at dinner, we had the most scrumptious red velvet dessert
this is me with the last bite
i really didn’t want it to end

We experienced Test Track, Mission: Space (Green, for Less Intense), Maelstrom, Captain EO, The American Adventure, Ellen’s Energy Adventure, and Soarin’ (2x!). I also got some Jammie Dodgers!!

jammie dodgers and a fez
now i am ready to take on the world
/doctor who reference

Characters met: Princess Aurora & Prince Philip, Snow White & Prince Charming, Mickey Mouse, Pluto, and Chip & Dale
Restaurants: Bakery in Norway (for a snack) and Garden Grill (dinner)

Day Four, we headed to Animal Kingdom. I always forget how much I enjoy Animal Kingdom until I’m there. It’s the prettiest park of all of them, with all its greenery and wild animals. Love watching the animals.

Expedition Everest is an AWESOME roller coaster. Just sayin’.

Of course, the highlight of this day was the fact that THEY ASKED ADAM AND ME TO BE IN THE JAMMIN’ JUNGLE PARADE.

We’d just had lunch at Pizzafari, and I said “Let’s go to Camp Minnie-Mickey.” There isn’t really anything to do there, but the Festival of the Lion King is there and a show was about to start. We were debating going in (it really is an excellent show) when a cast member named Robb stopped us, asked if it was just the two of us. We said “yes” and he said “would you like to be in our parade?” So, we had to be back at the hotel at five, so time was of concern. But the parade started at 3:45, so we were all good. Once it sunk in, I was like…

Because I’ve always wanted to be in a Disney parade. I would LOVE to be a parade dancer, but I’m probably way too old for something like that. But still. Eeeeeee!!!

So yeah. THAT HAPPENED. And one of the cool things is that one of the dancers–I’d recognized her from other shows at Disney World. She seemed flattered and amazed that I’d done so. 🙂

sara’s the dancer on the left end
she’s the one I recognized from other disney shows
crazy, huh?
it was so neat to meet her

So, in Animal Kingdom, we experienced the Kilimanjaro Safari, Rafiki’s Planet Watch (where I got to hold poop!), Expedition Everest, and I GOT TO FREAKING BE IN A PARADE AT FREAKING DISNEY WORLD, Y’ALL.

i’m holding poop!
(don’t worry, it had been baked and coated)

So, despite the lost luggage, I had an AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING trip! And if I had to choose between not having lost luggage and having just an OK time, or losing the bag and being in a parade, I’d lose the bag every time. Hopefully it won’t come to that again, though.

My bag is safely with me now. Disney got UPS to pick it up in Gainesville and they overnighted it to me. So I won all over.

And I cannot wait to get back to Disney World!!!

And just in case there weren’t enough pictures in this post, there are loads more here: [LINK]

Psst! I have a giveaway happening here. You should enter it.