I have been procrastinating on writing, partially because I do not have time, but also because there are not enough words to describe how awesome life has been. Given, life in general has been pretty darn good, but this month, while extremely busy, has been tops.
About a month ago, I left for a week-long trip to WDW with a couple of friends. Aside from the company, there were so many moments that made this trip a great one:
The Art of Animation Resort
This hotel was super cute to say the least. One of the things I loved about this place is it immersed you in animation, from our themed hotel room, to the lobby area with a wide palette of colors and original sketches, to the hotel building exteriors and fun facts about Disney films along the jogging path. I am continually impressed by Disney's attention to the details.
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| First night at the hotel, this was on my bed. Disney in the details. |
Late-Night Cartoons
Every night in our room, after 10:00 pm, we had the viewing pleasure of 2-minute versions of the same 10 Disney cartoons. Okay, maybe it was more like 20 cartoons. Either way, it was repetitious hilarity. Go P.U.!
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| This particular cartoon played twice as many times as the others, with different audio every other viewing. |
Rain!
It's a killer to be in a current drought, and to be in Florida during the middle of their hurricane season knowing I could not take any of the rain back with me was painful. Regardless.... rain!!! And we got quite a bit of it for the majority of our time there. I love rain.
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| My poncho was put to use much more than I anticipated. |
Dole Whips
Yes, we have them here, but the Magic Kingdom has MULTIPLE flavors of Dole Whip. Incredible.
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| Specifically, an orange-vanilla swirled dole whip float. |
Fancy Dining
Aside from the yummy small treats and meals, we had the pleasure of dining at Cinderella's Castle one night and the Beast's Castle another night. I especially enjoyed the Be Our Guest restaurant, and the grey stuff was delicious.
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| Our host allowed us the pleasure of a picture with him after dinner. |
Old-Time Attractions
The Magic Kingdom may have changed up a number of their older attractions, but they still have the People Mover AND The Carousel of Progress. They also have the Country Bear Jamboree. Epcot's Maelstrom ride closed its doors for refurbishment the day we flew home, so I had a chance to ride it again a few times while we were there, may it RIP. What a crazy trip down memory lane; I remember these attractions being bigger before.
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| Spending a rainy evening on the People Mover! |
Newer Attractions!
Even though I had been to WDW years ago, it was my first time at Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. I rode Rock'n'Roller Coaster in Hollywood Studios four times altogether, Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom six times, and experienced a slew of other rides and shows in those and the other parks. I also got a chance to try out different versions of the rides I enjoy at Disneyland, and the new Seven Dwarves Mine Train ride! All kinds of awesome. Overall, I have to give them props for their better Winnie the Pooh ride, faster and easier spinning teacups, and the extra room of staircases in the Haunted Mansion that was very reminiscent of the Winchester Mystery House. And I liked the old version a lot, but I am a fan of what is now the Three Caballeros ride.
Side note: Air Supply was performing at Epcot the two days we were there, and they sang that one song I know... and the other song I know... and lots of other songs I don't know... while we never actually sat in on their concert, we could hear them very well.
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| In line for the newest WDW ride, the Seven Dwarves' Mine Train! |
Traveling the World
I LOVE the World Showcase area, and with the Food & Wine Festival happening, what better time to sample the food and drinks that the world has to offer? I'm talking haggis, potstickers, Belgian waffles, pierogi, escargot, baklava, pavlova, curry, pao de quiejo, and MUCH more than my stomach could imagine trying in the course of two days. And then of course there was the entertainment of the Chinese acrobats, the Mexican Mariachi band, the Italian street performer, the Voices of Liberty, and the sights and shopping of each country. And all of the foreign workers were just so darn nice and helpful too. Man, there are some beautiful people around the world...
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| Sweet treats from each of the 11 nations represented in World Showcase. |
10-Mile Run!!
My main reason for traveling to WDW: to run the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler. I discovered it on a Twilight Zone fan page on Facebook at the beginning of this year, and impulsively decided to sign up for it, not knowing what I was getting into or if I would even make my way to Florida in the first place. Well, obviously, I did, it happened, and I had a BLAST. Next time, I'm thinking a day afterwards to just relax and recuperate though; the after-party went late, but worth it.
It was a much needed vacation, but also an exciting nostalgia trip simultaneously packed with new adventures. And I'm still dreaming about it almost a month later. Guess I'll have to go back sometime.
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| I was so excited to make it to the end, I forgot about getting the medal and just wanted to take a picture. |
It was a much needed vacation, but also an exciting nostalgia trip simultaneously packed with new adventures. And I'm still dreaming about it almost a month later. Guess I'll have to go back sometime.
