I got off the boat bright and early on Sunday, February 1. I had a 12:00 flight to Orlando! We’re going to Disney World!
The Miami airport was ridiculously crowded, but I got through when I needed to, and then was really surprised by a super full flight on a giant airplane for a 48 minute flight. Flight was on time, but the shuttle to my hotel took longer than planned, so I got off at the Boardwalk Inn (not my hotel) and walked to Epcot, and was 8 minutes late for my lunch reservation.
Grace and I Bistro-ed it up at Chefs de France. I had Pasta Gratin (that’s Disney-French for Mac and Cheese). It was yummy.
After lunch we spent some time exploring fake Paris:
Then we checked into our hotel, just a short walk from fake Paris. My first stay at a Disney Deluxe resort, welcome to the Yacht Club:
That’s our daybed–pretty awesome.
Cute Mickey lamp:
And cute painting of our hotel and the boardwalk area. That girl in the middle looks like Samantha!
We didn’t spend too long at the hotel, we had a lot more Disney to see. Next stop:
We rode Dinosaur! and Expedition Everest. I wasn’t sure that Grace would like roller coasters, but she did just fine.
I didn’t get the schedule right to catch Festival of the Lion King, which is kind of why I went to Animal Kingdom at all this day, but it was just fine. We went over to Hollywood Studios for Fantasmic instead. It was fantastic as usual. Then I grabbed a bus to Magic Kingdom, made it just in time for the Main Street Electrical Parade, and the fireworks were shortly after. Here’s a photo of a Magic Kingdom evening, waiting for fireworks to start:
After the fireworks, it was back to the Yacht/Beach club for ice cream! And serious ice cream. I got a 3-scoop sundae with hot fudge and peanut butter. It was as big as my head. Then I went to bed. I passed a TV in the lobby and jinxed the Super Bowl. Sorry guys.
Next morning I had some amazing breakfast at the Captain’s Grille inside the Yacht Club, then checked my suitcase (awesome service offered at Disney hotels–I could check my suitcase for the airport hours ahead of time, and it met me at home in Seattle).
Back to Magic Kingdom!
I took one photo here at the castle and one on Main Street, USA:
But I had just 2.5 hours before my lunch reservation, and just 3.5 hours before I had to be back at my hotel, so I had to be very efficient. I started at Peter Pan’s Flight. One of the first riders of the day on a ride that gets long lines fast. Then I went straight across to it’s a small world.
My favorite ride, probably because it has dollies:
Then I had time for Winnie the Pooh before my fastpass for the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. The mine train is really cool, but not worth the 60+ minute lines. Then I left Fantasyland for my next fastpass on Big Thunder Mountain, then I headed to Adventureland for Pirates of the Caribbean and the Tiki Room:
Then back toward Fantasyland. I planned on the carousel, but caught the Celebrate a Dream Come True show instead. Loved it: “Dreams Come True! Dreams Come True! Dreams Come True!” Then I went to the Philharmagic show which I also love, then it was time for my last fastpass (Haunted Mansion) and lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern. I did not have enough time for lunch. So I had them bring dessert first, and took my lunch to go. It still took longer than it should have, so I hustled to a bus back to my hotel, which I caught right away (good omen #1). As soon as the bus pulled away from the stop, it started pouring rain (good omen #2). And I caught the airport shuttle right on time, and it was all smooth sailing going home. I even got a free business class upgrade. It was niiiice.
So I’m back home and back to work now. I’m ready to plan my next vacation, but I don’t know when that will be. I miss Mickey Mouse.
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my dolly addiction 