WDW Trip Reminiscing: February 2009

Trip Name: Birthday Extravaganza 2009

Where We Stayed: Savanna View at the Animal Kingdom Lodge!


What Made It Different: My husband sprang for the savanna view at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.  This was also the first trip where my husband's family joined us and I brought along a good friend.  This was the year of Celebrate Today! and I got in free on my birthday, except that we already had our tickets, so I got a gift card instead!  I love my charm bracelet.

Magical Moment: On our first night I woke up to hear some strange noises coming from our window.  Several animals gathered at the watering hole and the birds were fighting over their position!  What an amazing time to sit and watch animals from our balcony!

PS: On this trip my husband got really really sick.  We spent one whole day just sitting in our hotel room.  Since there isn't a lot to watch on TV at WDW - I'm sure they'd rather we were in their parks spending money and having a good time - we watched a lot of ESPN.  That was the week that Manny Ramirez got traded.  It was the only thing happening in sports. We could recite the entire interview by the end of the trip.

WDW Trip Reminiscing: October 2008

Trip Name: Vacation 2008

Where We Stayed: Animal Kingdom Lodge


What Made It Different:  This was just a regular old vacation for us.  We did celebrate my husband's birthday while we were there and I hired a local company to create an elaborate scavenger hunt for him which took place in the Magic Kingdom. I highly recommend www.giftsofalifetime.com if you are looking for a special interactive event like that.

Magical Moment: I left for this trip feeling so so sick.  Rick was just getting over a cold and I had gotten it shortly after he did.  I know that doesn't sound very magical.  It's not.  By Day Five of our trip I was finally feeling better and we visited Disneyquest in Downtown Disney.  Wowee!  Was that amazing or what?!  I loved that we could play games together as a team and virtual Pirates of the Caribbean was great fun.  It was both the first day I was feeling well and an opportunity to really connect together as a couple and have some fun.

Side Note: While I was extremely hesitant to stay at a new resort on this visit, Animal Kingdom Lodge delivered such an authentic, relaxing experience, that I no longer want to stay anywhere else, regardless of whether I can only use bus service to the parks!

WDW Trip Reminiscing: June 2007

Trip Name: Honeymoon 2007

Where We Stayed: Concierge Floor (swanky!) at the Yacht Club


What Made It Different: This was our first trip to WDW as husband and wife, but only my second trip to WDW.  My husband grew up traveling to Disney with his family, almost yearly, but I grew up in Los Angeles.  Disneyland was "Mickey's House" to me.


Magical Moment: Walking into our room that first day was incredible.  There was a sign on the wall welcoming us with our picture on it and we had turn down service every night.  We could see fireworks from the balcony.  What I remember most was that first night.  I was so hungry, so jet lagged, and so tired that instead of walking to the America Pavilion for food my husband said, "Let's just go back to our room and get room service."  Oh boy!  Room Service!  I have never gotten room service in my life.  He was this different, amazing, free-spending person on vacation.  Where had my frugal husband gone?  He was left at home.  "Vacation Rick" was born!

6/17: This Week's Blog Preview

On our first anniversary we took a trip to Phoenix, AZ.  I love to travel and my husband loves "Great Hotels," as he says.  He found a romantic spa and hotel tucked away on the edge of Phoenix.  We could not wait to get away, celebrate our anniversary in style, and enjoy a great hotel.  Rumor has it, George W. Bush stays there when he goes to Phoenix.  This was posh hotel living at its finest.  An enormous suite, the most gleaming white bathtub I've ever seen, meticulously kept landscaping, and a gourmet restaurant on property.

In less than 24-hours we were bored out of our minds.

Sitting by the pool lasted about 4 hours, until it was so hot I couldn't sit there and I had already read every single book I brought with me.

The nearby mall was fine, but nothing spectacular.

We needed more to do. 

Eventually we stumbled upon a 12-hour driving tour of Arizona that included stops at the Grand Canyon and Sedona.  It was amazing.  We flew in a helicopter.  Rick saw the Grand Canyon for the first time; I hadn't been in years.  It was the best day.  Full of adventure and interesting food stops.  We were in awe.

Side Note: It's hard to be "in awe" of something in everyday life.  I am sometimes amazed, transfixed, or surprised, but not "in awe."  Only one place on earth has regularly delivered that feeling of reverential wonder.  You'll only need one guess to know where.

Back to my story: The trip turned out just fine, but for the same price - and staying in the same time zone - we could have been at Disney.  We would never make that mistake again.  We vowed to always go to the Mouse for our vacations for the rest of our life.

What resulted are some amazing trips, with incredible memories, that only get better every time.

So, this week, on the cusp of our latest vacation, that will involve what promises to be the most fabulous rehearsal dinner in Epcot's Italy Pavilion, a Walt Disney World Wedding, and a first time visit for our littlest girl, I can't help but think back over our last few trips and the memories we made.

This week, I'm going to share them with you!

WDW Bridesmaid!

I'm going to be a Walt Disney World Bridesmaid in 4 days!!!!

Photo of the Week: Cinderella's Castle

So here's a different on your traditional castle shot.

Favorite EPCOT Country: Mexico

EPCOT (aka Nerd Park in our house) holds the esteemed position of our "favorite park."  Something about the combination of science and culture appeals to me.  I also find it to be a lazy park.  You can enjoy it quickly or slowly.  You can wander through the countries, stopping to eat delicious snacks when you feel like, and then admire the pickle tree in Germany.  You could also blaze through each country, buy the postcard, find the pressed penny machine and be on your way.  I can't really explain it, but we enjoy this park more than any other and it isn't because of the booze.  Although, I have heard the avocado margarita in Mexico is delightful.

Speaking of Mexico, I have to give it the "MY FAVORITE COUNTRY IN EPCOT" award.  

Minus the seagull/churro incident, which sent the rest of our party diving under the table and me fending off a crazed seagull to the point where I tossed the churro to protect my face, Mexico, for me is the most relaxing country in Epcot (PS: Special Thanks to the Cast Member working at the counter service window who gave me a new churro for free.  It took the sting out of my bird attack).

What makes a great country in EPCOT?

(1) Great Music: I sure do love that Mariachi band.
(2) Great Attraction: very few counties can boast of this and I have to give it to Mexico for never having a line, being in a boat, and something my 2-year-old actually remembers from her last trip.
(3) Great Food: Churros, tacos, quesadillas, this is the best food overall (the egg rolls in China are also amazing).
(4) Great Theme: I appreciate the ride, the market, and a restaurant are all inside, making this an ideal place to cool off  in the summer.  There are also wonderful things to buy and look at inside too.
(5) Characters: I know that nearly every country has a character, but do they have Donald in a sombrero?  Honestly folks.  How can you top that?
(6) Great View: I sure do love sitting on the outdoor terrace eating some tacos.

And that's why when I recently found myself in the Dentist's chair having a cavity filled I went to my happy place and it was Mexico.

What is your "happy Disney place?"  Leave me a comment and let me know!

Grocery Delivery at Walt Disney World

In 2011 we took our two-year-old daughter for her *gasp* second trip to Walt Disney World.  She eats a lot of different foods, but I was concerned that she wouldn't get enough to eat on our trip.  Also, that kid eats the very second her feet hit the floor.  Don't try to put her off long enough to feed the baby or shove a protein bar in your own mouth.  She will be hopping around you singing a song about oatmeal or repeatedly telling you, while waving one hand to emphasize her point, "I don't want my waffles toasted."  I don't bother explaining that they are frozen and have to be toasted.

How could I get her breakfast the second she wakes up when our character meal is at least a 15 minute bus ride away...if the bus comes exactly when we arrive at the bus stop?

It seemed foolish to run to quick service and get her waffles or pancakes when we were going to eat again in only an hour, but it also seemed cruel to make her wait.  For one thing, I didn't want to hear the oatmeal song our entire trip, but I also get cranky when I'm hungry and I don't want her feeling like that either.

Solution: Garden Grocer

After doing a little research on the internet (I thank God nearly every day for the internet...seriously), I discovered that you can have groceries delivered to your Walt Disney World Resort!  I ordered everything for her breakfast that she needs; Oatmeal, milk, cinnamon, and applesauce.  Even if she ate french fries at every single meal, I knew that she would eat one good meal a day.  She could even eat it for dinner or snack and she could eat first thing in the morning.

This was the best thing I've ever done on vacation.  Smartest mom-move ever.

This year I will be doing the same thing.  I am also ordering diapers, wipes, water, formula, rice cereal, cheezits (husband request), bananas (daughter request), and fish crackers (do kids live on these or what?!).  This eliminates at least one suitcase and the need to shop once we get there.

You can check it out for yourself at www.gardengrocer.com 

Some notes: There is a minimum order and a delivery fee.  The prices are a little steeper than you would normally pay, but you do not have to shop for yourself.  I'd rather have that 2 hours for fun than spend it at the grocery store. They sell most major brands, fresh produce, and also a wide variety of organic options.  Groceries are delivered to bell services if you are not there.  (Thanks Bell Services!!!)  I have had great success with this service on two occasions and highly recommend it.

5-Year Anniversary of My WDW Honeymoon

5 years ago today I stepped into the lobby of the Yacht Club, a newly married (less than 24 hours before) woman, for an amazing WDW Honeymoon.  My new husband had carefully planned a surprise trip just for me us.  Although, I had told him that if we went anywhere other than WDW for our Honeymoon he shouldn't bother marrying me!

What followed was a week of magical moments - a Keys to the Kingdom Tour, a romantic dinner in Cinderella's Castle (complete with champagne glasses I still have), and a hilarious encounter with Winnie the Pooh who was very excited to see HUNNY-mooners.  What I love the most were the little touches that made our trip amazing.  The "congratulations" sign that hung in our room, the surprise honeymoon package Rick ordered for us with my ears (above), our honeymoon buttons, and the dozens of congratulations we received from cast members and guests alike.  Because of that experience I always congratulate couples I see in the parks together.

I love being a Disney Hunny-mooner.  I can't think of any place I'd rather go...ever.

HAPPY HONEYMOON ANNIVERSARY WALT DISNEY WORLD!  

You are the most magical place on earth.  My love affair with "Mickey's House" was sealed on this date in 2007.

Photo of the Week: Polynesian Pool

The Volcano Pool at the Polynesian

Pregnant at the Animal Kingdom

The Animal Kingdom is one of the most challenging parks to visit while pregnant.  You cannot ride the big three rides: Everest, Dinosaur, or Kilimanjaro Safari.  That leaves very little to do except catch a couple of shows.  Since this is our second favorite park and the park with the best food (in my opinion) it was a little hard to visit during our BABYMOON II (like a Honeymoon, but to celebrate your baby instead!). 

I had, however, taken up photography in recent months and enjoyed taking some interesting photos of this bicycle in Harambe.  I love Disney's attention to detail and this park is one of the most beautifully done. 

I didn't mind the chance to sit, photograph, and also visit the bathroom a few times while my husband and daughter enjoyed the safari.