Every year, besides a resolution, I always try to "challenge" myself to do something I've never done before and that fete (zip lining - see last post) was accomplished with my other three grand kids in North Carolina. So last New Year's Eve found me with two big things to accomplish in 2018.
A lot of time and effort were required in the planning of a trip to Walt Disney World for four individuals who had never seen it and were HUGE Disney fans. I compiled lists that I checked twice (actually about twelve times), drew maps to plan out our walking routes, printed detailed calendars of each day, chose between rides and attractions at each park and kept track of about a dozen confirmation numbers!
The "Wonderful World of Disney" works like no other attraction I know. Sixty days in advance of your arrival, a "window" opens for you to go to their website to book "Fast Passes" for the rides and shows. This is crucial to seeing as much as possible, because with those magical passes, you get to go on the "express" waiting line. Sometimes, it shaves over an hour of wait time or more per ride.
At the 60-day mark we were camped out in a KOA near Niagara Falls that had limited cell service and no WiFi. To ensure I would not fail, at 7:15 a.m. I gathered all my lists, laptop, cup of coffee, pen and pad and headed up to the porch outside of the office to connect to their internet. Don't let me leave out the fact that I needed to grab my umbrella too, as we were experiencing torrential rain. It sounds like the old saying of having to "walk uphill both ways" to get somewhere - and that's just how it felt.
At the 60-day mark we were camped out in a KOA near Niagara Falls that had limited cell service and no WiFi. To ensure I would not fail, at 7:15 a.m. I gathered all my lists, laptop, cup of coffee, pen and pad and headed up to the porch outside of the office to connect to their internet. Don't let me leave out the fact that I needed to grab my umbrella too, as we were experiencing torrential rain. It sounds like the old saying of having to "walk uphill both ways" to get somewhere - and that's just how it felt.
Four hours later, all my boxes were checked off - and I could breathe. Let the official countdown begin for Walt Disney World. Sixty days and counting! Oh my....such a long....
time.....Fast forward 60 days and OMG, it's THE day and I can't believe it's here. The girls were already on the plane heading to Florida, believing they were going on a business trip with mommy to California. I had wanted the trip to be a surprise, and I'm not sure it was a TOTAL surprise, however, there was enough excitement all around to make everyone happy and they really had no idea how special it was going to be.
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| George and I checking into Fort Wilderness |
The trip officially began at the airport where I told them they were going to be staying in Florida with us and going to Walt Disney World together. I had a pair of ears for each - just to make it official.
Once everyone had their "Ears," it was time to get to the hotel to settle in and get ready for dinner at The Rain Forest Cafe in Disney Springs. Let's get this party started!
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| Lola at Disney Springs |
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| Papa George smiled the whole trip! |
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| Ready for the magic! |
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| Getting ready to enter Magic Kingdom |
The first day found us boarding a boat to the Magic Kingdom. We were able to get on many rides and see loads of characters at the parade down Main Street. We had a special visit with Belle, rode the Barnstormer, Peter Pan's Flight, Mad Tea Party and - of course - It's A Small World. You can't go to WDW without riding that one!
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| The Mad Tea Cup Ride WAS mad. |
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| Nina and Belle |
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| Emma and Belle |
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| Lola and Belle |
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| Nina with Mommy on the 7 Dwarfs Mine Train |
After a long and exciting day we headed to Fort Wilderness' Trails End Restaurant where we had a great buffet dinner.
On day two we drove to Animal Kingdom where we got soaking wet on Kali River Rapids We got even more soaked while on the Safari ride. A rogue storm blew in, we got drenched and Papa George lost his good Tilly hat. Some lucky worker is now wearing the best safari hat at Animal Kingdom.
We had dining reservations for Tiffin's Restaurant and it was amazing food for adults, but skip this place if you have kids or picky eaters. After dinner Meily, Nina and I went on Avatar Flight of Passage! What an amazing ride; I can't wait to do it again!
On Wednesday, we returned to the Magic Kingdom and got to ride Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion and Meema's favorite - The Enchanted Tiki Room where, "All the birds sing words and the flowers bloom." Today's lunch was at the Diamond Horseshoe. The girls also waited on a very long line to meet the famous Buzz Lightyear in person and were able to get some great photos. Meema is starting to feel a little tired. A quick check of my Fitbit had me passing my greatest number of steps ever. It was flashing at over 15,000 steps!
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| Meema and the girls waiting for the bus to Epcot |
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| Lola pointing to Remy!!!!! |
Thursday found us heading into Epcot. We had a full day planned here along with a break for dinner at Chef Mickey's, located in the Contemporary Hotel. Entering Epcot, Lola was able to take her picture with a figure of Remmy (from Ratitoue) in the background. Remmy is "our" special thing.
The morning at Epcot was spent riding Soarin', Living with the Land, watching Pixar Film Shorts, as well as an "up close and personal" visit with Minnie Mouse and Pluto.
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| If you look close, you will see us all. |
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| Outside Under the Sea With Nemo |
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| The "Fake" Mickey at The Contemporary's Chef Mickey Restaurant |
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| The "REAL" Mickey |
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| Daisy with Lola and Emma |
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| Silly and Goofy |
After dinner, we headed to the World Showcase where we visited Norway and Mexico. We rode the Frozen and Three Caballeros rides. At this point, I am starting to feel my age. Tonight, besides recharging my body I'll need to recharge my Fitbit - I wore it out!
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| Hollywood! |
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| Entrance to Hollywood Studios |
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| At Minnie's Diner |
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| Mickey and the girls |
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| Donald in his Halloween costume. |
The best part of the day was our lunch at Minnie's Diner, located at Hollywood and Vine. Besides getting a great buffet lunch, we got to see Minnie, Mickey, Daisy and Donald. Each one signed autograph books and posed for pictures.
It turned out that Meema was not the only one who was tired. Our last ride was to be Slinky Dog Dash, but the ride was closed for mechanical problems. I don't think anyone was disappointed, because returning to the hotel for a swim sounded like the perfect activity.
It turned out that Meema was not the only one who was tired. Our last ride was to be Slinky Dog Dash, but the ride was closed for mechanical problems. I don't think anyone was disappointed, because returning to the hotel for a swim sounded like the perfect activity.
Saturday morning as Papa George pulled up stakes and checked out of Fort Wilderness Campground, I drove over to Port Orleans for breakfast with the girls. It would be their last chance for "Mickey Head-Shaped" Bignets. Everyone was tired, but happy.
The trip was a success. All the hours of planning, adjusting, changing and double-checking went off without a hitch. The only complaint we all had was actually nothing we could have controlled anyway - the putrid, hot and humid weather. We experienced 92-95 degree temps every day with 100% humidity, yet we all trudged through like (storm) troopers.
True to "Florida Weather," it rained at some point each day, but instead of getting cooler, it only got hotter. My glasses kept fogging up and slipping off my face. We only got caught in one deluge at Animal Kingdom and rain ponchos I bought back in May sure came in handy! A very handy item besides hand sanitizer!
Sorry all for the lengthy post, but I had to get it all documented before I forgot the little details.
Deep thought for the day:
Click HERE to be serenaded by Cliff Edwards, the voice of Jiminy Cricket singing Disney's most magical song.
When you wish upon a star,
makes no difference who you are.
Everything your heart desires
will come to you.
