My family just returned from a week long vacation. It was a whirlwind week full of fun and festivities at The Happiest Place on Earth. No, we didn’t go to Target. Nope, not to the liquor store, either. Even though those are my happiest places. We took a trip to the magical land of Disney World.
Our journey began at the ungodly hour of four a.m., where your intrepid heroine (that’s me), dragged her tired ass out of bed and into the shower, so as to leave her home surrounded by pitch black, in order to catch this plane:
Yes, that’s right, boys and girls . . . I had to entrust the safety of myself and my family to a plane which was coated in rival football team colors and emblem! Seriously, we almost didn’t get on. But, it was only a hop up to Philly on this abomination, so we reluctantly boarded this thing as dawn broke over the horizon.
As we were awaiting take-off, I happened to notice a very strange thing on the plane. It seems that the gentleman seated directly in front of me was prepared for both cold and warm weather. He had his sandals on . . . with socks. But the truly noteworthy thing was . . . they were the same sandals that I own and expected to wear throughout our trip. Only thing is, I would not be wearing socks with mine.
Upon arriving at our hotel, we inspected our rooms and looked outside to see a lovely view of some of the Disney parks, and also the hotel’s massive pool. Complete with mile long lazy river. The kids were stoked!!
But, there was no time for swimming at that point. We had reservations for dinner and a show at Hollywood Studios. So . . . we were off!!
The dinner was a mediocre but wildly overcharged buffet, but the show was fantastic. Actually, it was Fantasmic!
The next day we travelled over to Animal Kingdom and went on a real life animal safari, sans the actual Africa. We took a vehicle through a huge animal preserve and saw all sorts of African animals just going about their little animal businesses.
After the safari, we happened upon a live action Finding Nemo show, where the fish were these sort of big puppets being controlled by actors/singers on the stage. It was actually pretty cool. Or as one character would say . . . righteous, RIGHTEOUS!!
It was all perfectly cool, until the ginormous dancing penis came out . . . then it just got a little weird.
Later in the afternoon, we went to a “character lunch,” which is lunch at a restaurant where a bunch of characters walk around and meet everyone as they eat. I know it is a complicated concept. Try to follow along. On the way out of the restaurant, there was some sort of street performance going on, and we hung out for a few minutes to listen and watch. But then, the lead singer seemed to start leading everyone in some sort of mousekercize, so at that point, I was out.
After a long and tiring day of trekking across the African plains park, we decided to spend a little time at the pool. So, we relaxed and watched a pool-side movie under the stars. Not a bad way to end the day.
The following day found us at Epcot. Honestly, there isn’t a whole lot to do at Epcot for kids, unless you want to wait 2+ hours for the most popular ride there, which we did not, thank you very much. But we did go on a Finding Nemo ride, and afterwards, we visited something called Turtle Talk with Crush, where the turtle dude from the movie appeared on a screen and gave info to all the assembled kiddies on the floor in front of him, and even took some questions. My 2 kids were in the very front. And if you can believe it, Crush picked on 7 as his first victim subject to interrogate question.
Which was all well and good with the “what’s your name?” and “where are you from?” questions. It’s when he got to the “who are you here with?” and “parents, raise your hands . . . let’s talk to them” part where it got interesting. And by interesting, I mean getting a microphone shoved into my face and having to answer questions from an animated turtle on a big screen. Yeah, so there was that. I guess that makes me a star? Autograph lines start to the left . . .
After our brush with fame, we walked around the big lake at Epcot and visited a few of the “countries” there. We even stayed to see the fireworks show, which was nice. If you like fireworks, that is. My feelings towards them can pretty much be summed up with a resounding, “meh.”
The next day, we awoke to find a pretty cool site outside our hotel window:
Hot Air Balloons flying high over Disney. You can also see some of the main Hollywood Studios buildings there as well (the Tower of Terror to your right, the big magic Mickey hat in the middle, etc.). It was a pretty magical way to start the day.
And then we were ready to finally head over to the Magic Kingdom . . . the mecca of all things Disney.
And since I’ve probably lost most of my audience at this point, this having become a forced family vacation slide show of sorts, I will release all of you from further vacation stories . . . for now.
To be continued . . . . . . . .
She's a Maineiac
Apr 09, 2013 @ 08:53:53
What hotel did you stay at? We’re going to Disney in a few years and that lazy river has my name written all over it.
And I thought they wouldn’t allow you to enter Florida without wearing socks with sandals?
mistyslaws
Apr 16, 2013 @ 12:22:23
I mentioned the hotel in the post following this one, The Hilton Bonnet Creek. I would highly recommend it. The staff was amazing, the facilities were beautiful, and you saw the lazy river. 🙂
I believe the rule re: socks/sandals is that you have to be at least 65. This man was in his 40’s. HUGE rule breaker!
the cotton floozy
Apr 09, 2013 @ 09:05:24
Was that my *dad* sitting in front of you? No wait, he wears *black* socks with his sandals.
mistyslaws
Apr 16, 2013 @ 12:23:08
Yeah, this guy was WAY trendier than that!
renée a. schuls-jacobson
Apr 09, 2013 @ 09:35:27
So glad you had a great time. At 13, Magic Kingdom was probably not the best choice for TechSupport. It was a gorgeous day though. Can’t wait to read more about your vay-cay. I’ll eventually post about ours.
mistyslaws
Apr 16, 2013 @ 12:26:03
Weirdly enough, and I would have never guessed it at the time, unfortunately, Tech probably would have appreciated Hollywood Studios much more than MK. And that just happened to be the park WE were at that day. Drats! It has a bunch of more “big kid” type rides and other attractions he probably would have preferred. There are a lot of kiddie things as well, though, so maybe Universal Studios is your best bet next time! I’m so sad we didn’t hook up, though. 😦
renée a. schuls-jacobson
Apr 16, 2013 @ 12:28:40
I TOTALLY realized this AFTER we left Magic Kingdom. I wish you had given me a nudge. We hadn’t been to Disney in 6 years. We picked the wrong park. Tech says the next time he’s going to Disney is when he has children of his own — or if we have guests. I am bummed we didn’t get to smooch. Mwah.
mistyslaws
Apr 16, 2013 @ 12:42:20
I hinted, but didn’t want to be pushy. Besides, I could totally understand wanting to go to the MAIN park if you were only there for one day. I figured he was all for the roller coasters and such, there. But yeah, looking back, I think he would have loved HS.
thesinglecell
Apr 09, 2013 @ 10:54:51
Between the ginormous dancing penis and the fact that I get “fantasmic” confused with “orgasmic,” this could have been a very different trip.
Vesta Vayne
Apr 10, 2013 @ 00:54:00
Totally thought the same thing about the penis…”huh, that doesn’t seem child appropriate”
mistyslaws
Apr 16, 2013 @ 12:34:50
Well technically I guess it was supposed to be a jellyfish. But seriously. Look at that thing. How can you NOT get penis from that?
mistyslaws
Apr 16, 2013 @ 12:27:24
Well, I also subsequently wrote about Mickey’s balls, so . . . I might be adulting it up a bit. 😉
I think orgasmic every time as well. I wonder if that was the intent? It is a show where water is shooting up out of hoses at all times. Hmmmm . . .
winopants
Apr 09, 2013 @ 11:31:01
That pool!! I think I would have had a hard time getting away from the hotel!
I’ve never been to Disneyland or World, so bring on the slide show.
mistyslaws
Apr 16, 2013 @ 12:29:13
Be careful what you wish for . . . 😉
Fresh Ginger
Apr 09, 2013 @ 11:33:30
Wasn’t Turtle Talk fun? My 4 year old loved it. Righteous, Dude.
mistyslaws
Apr 16, 2013 @ 12:30:35
They LOVED it! I’m so glad we did it. That’s what is called “mom being prepared!” Yep, I’m taking total credit for that one. Totally! 😉
thoughtsappear
Apr 09, 2013 @ 13:00:24
Socks and sandals! NOOOOOOOO!
mistyslaws
Apr 16, 2013 @ 12:30:51
It was horrible. Truly.
rachelocal
Apr 09, 2013 @ 14:23:58
I wish I was lazing down that river right now. With a vodka mojito in my hand.
mistyslaws
Apr 16, 2013 @ 12:31:09
You are speaking my language girl! 😉
Don't Quote Lily
Apr 09, 2013 @ 16:21:28
Ugh, socks and sandals, come ON!
Looks like a good time so far. 🙂
mistyslaws
Apr 16, 2013 @ 12:31:47
I know! And he wasn’t even a senior citizen. There was just no excuse!
sarah9188
Apr 09, 2013 @ 18:35:30
I’m very sorry about that plane you had to ride in. Ugh…black and gold. :p
I’m very jealous of your trip; I so want to go to Disney.
mistyslaws
Apr 16, 2013 @ 12:32:47
Sarah, it was just so horrific. When we realized we were going to actually have to ride around in a STEELERS plane . . . it damn near broke my son’s heart!
You can go to Disney . . . once you have kids! 😉
Valerie
Apr 09, 2013 @ 18:42:51
What a great time!! Except for the part where a crazed holographic turtle forced you into public speaking… I would have cried. Sobbed really.
Hugs!
Valerie
mistyslaws
Apr 16, 2013 @ 12:33:28
It was every nightmare of mine horrifically come to fruition. Hold me, Val!
Nelson - One Old Sage
Apr 09, 2013 @ 19:11:39
I love travelogues and slide shows. Looking forward to the next instalment.
mistyslaws
Apr 16, 2013 @ 12:33:59
Hope I didn’t disappoint! 🙂
Nelson - One Old Sage
Apr 16, 2013 @ 12:43:04
Nope you didn’t! It was great. I really like your work. Keep it up. 🙂
mistyslaws
Apr 16, 2013 @ 12:46:29
Aw, you are so sweet to say that! Very appreciated, thanks.
Cheryl S.
Apr 10, 2013 @ 13:18:54
I NEED the name of that hotel! Can I just live in the pool?
Glad you had a good time at Disney!
mistyslaws
Apr 16, 2013 @ 12:35:19
Hilton – Bonnet Creek. I think they would kick you out sometime around midnight.
Andrea @ Maybe It's Just Me
Apr 10, 2013 @ 15:51:25
It has been five years since we went to Disney. I am kind of ashamed of the fact that I actually tried to make sure we (ok, I) got good night’s sleeps while we were there. Those pins were not going to swap themselves! We only stayed for one fireworks display and no parades. We weren’t there long enough for down time…4 parks/four days!
mistyslaws
Apr 16, 2013 @ 12:36:11
Don’t be ashamed! Keeping rested is key. Why do you think there were mandated naps every single afternoon? For everyone’s sanity!!
JM Randolph
Apr 10, 2013 @ 16:59:50
Someday when my kids are all gone, I’m going to Disney World.
mistyslaws
Apr 16, 2013 @ 12:36:56
Disney without kids is sublime. Good plan.
pegoleg
Apr 10, 2013 @ 17:44:34
(commences biting off own arm to escape forced viewing of someone else’s vacation photos) JUST kidding! Thanks for the reminder of what a fantastic place Disney World is – I hope you had a great time, even if you were practically the twin of some geeky old tourist who wore socks with his sandals.
mistyslaws
Apr 16, 2013 @ 12:39:10
And this is when we got off the plane….click….and this is our rental car….click…..and this is the road to the hotel…..click…..oh, look, a flamingo….”
Wait, where are you going? And why is your shoulder all bloody? 😉
Hey! I didn’t wear socks with mine. They were perfectly acceptable shoes. When I was wearing them, anyway. 🙂
Beth
Apr 10, 2013 @ 18:56:09
Loved your blog above. You are a very good writer. Please throw out those shoes you mentioned unless you are over 65!
mistyslaws
Apr 16, 2013 @ 12:39:53
Thank you for saying so! But nope, I love those shoes. They are staying. I’ll just have to be a grandma. Should I get some socks? 😉
Carrie - Cannibalistic Nerd
Apr 11, 2013 @ 11:17:42
That pool and lazy river looks pretty epic. Fantasmic is a great show – so cool with the water projections!
mistyslaws
Apr 16, 2013 @ 12:40:21
Yeah, it was pretty much the first thing we did when we got there, and everyone was pretty amazed. Good times!