Hollywood Studios - What was your favorite?

Was it the Rock 'n' Rollercoaster, which launched you at G5 forces into a series of turns and twists. Was it the Tower of Terror, with it's great Twilight Zone themed pre-show? Maybe it was the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular, with that handsome stunt double and amazing stunts? For Colin, even though he said Indiana Jones was his favorite, I venture to say by the look of this photo that he had an OK time at Star Wars, too! The car stunt show was surprisingly good, especially since we saw it at the end of the day. Thankfully it was loud and exciting, the stunt drivers had amazing skills and Angie got a great picture of a stunt woman on fire. She was hot stuff for sure!
My personal best surprise was the Great Movie Ride. In a little bus going through all the old favorite movie sets was, well, great! Although an early day today, we were all ready for some away-from-the-park time! On our little $20 BBQ we grilled some steaks and then sat and chatted about our favorites. As the gang tucks in this evening, I can barely contain my excitement for Epcot tomorrow!

What makes a great vacation?

Yesterday the group split up - 7 of us went off to experience Wet & Wild - a non-Disney water park that was, in a word, excellent! Sarah, Vanessa & I took Abigail and Colin on water slide after water slide, enjoying no line ups and fast water. After a long float in the lazy river, Abigail and Colin tested their strength on an inflated rubber balloon (picture a gigantic beach ball cut in half) where they had to climb up the slippery wet side using only a rope and their will to reach the top, only to the slide down the side and be dumped into a pool of water at the base. Ralph, Sarah and I went on the Brain Drain (enough said) and ice cream was a must by the end of our little adventure. Erin, Brooke, Ayla and Angie went off to ride the Everest coaster at Animal Kingdom so many times they are convinced that they have become one with Yeti. And still after that exhausting half-day (a full day by normal people's standards!) we whisked the girls off to the Bippity Boppity Boutique, where they had hair, nails and make-up done to complete the transformation into complete Princess-dom! Then off we went to Bergamo's, an Italian restaurant where the food was terrible, the service not-so-hot, but all the waiters sang. Yup. Opera and Broadway! Of course, dinner conversation was made up of which songs we could request that they might know! By the time we rolled the bus back home again, it was near 11 p.m., the kids were completely exhausted, Colin asleep in the car, and the adults were so tired we didn't even say goodnight to each other. All this to say - I'm not sure what makes a good vacation for others, but for me it's seeing the girls feel like real princesses, hearing my friends laugh, seeing my husband get in touch with his inner child and, of course, having ice cream every day.

Discovering Flordia - The Outlet Mall

Much to the enjoyment of all, we had a morning off today. I think we all needed it, with Colin crawling out of bed finally at 10, and none of us really getting it together before noon! Some of us headed out to the outlet mall, while Angie and the kids stayed home and played in the pool. All Day. Colin is slowly discovering the joys of swimming and playing at the water. Hopefully when we head to Cocoa Beach in a few days, we'll show him how to float in the salt water. As I type this, I can hear Colin and Vanessa whispering softly about their day, about their experiences past and those to come. I remember what an impression traveling left on me when I was young. I can only hope the attention of these adults and the experiences we encourage them to have leave the same sort of positive marks on their beings.
Water Park tomorrow! And the Bippity Boppity Boutique! And Bergamo's for dinner!
Stay tuned...

The Magic Kingdom - Truly Magical

As I sat and pondered, while nibbling on carrot cake and sipping a latte on Main Street, USA, in Magic Kingdom, it occurred to me that I would never, ever get tired of coming here. The weather is amazing, though there are a few clouds overhead and we wonder if the fireworks cruise would be postponed or not. And every time I come here, be it on a conference or with friends who happen to either keep their inner child alive or haven't grown so old that things are blah-zay yet, it's amazing. It's truly another world, full of adventure and experiences that lift your heart so you feel rejuvenated, but oh-so-exhausted all at the same time.
I think it's safe to say that everyone today had their special moment, from the 3D show with the kids trying to reach out and touch the mermaid (or was that Dan and Ralph?) to a roller coaster through the stars that scares the life out of me, everyone had their moment of amazement. Sarah, upon walking into the "world", her eyes round with wonder and awe, felt as if she had stepped into a brave new world. Where dancing in the street is a good thing! And so, now that we're refreshed from a swim in the pool and awaiting our Erin's famous fajitas, we're ready for more!

We've arrived, and then some...

Hello Family & Friends!
Well, not only have we arrived, done groceries, invaded WalMart and settled into the Villa, which includes a few swims in the pool, we are home and, mostly, sleeping after a very long day at Animal Kingdom. Over pizza and Strawberry Daiquiris we asked what our favorite "event" was. Dinosaur was a big favorite, even for poor Abigail who, much to her surprise I'm sure, did enjoy the ride!
There were lovely moments all day, and all in the shadow of the Tree of Live, filled with intricate carvings and spectacular creatures, almost "suspended" in the tree. Erin and Colin are posing with a fantastic example! The kids and adults alike were filled with adventure and ease and an overall fantastic feeling of fun. Ayla is taking it all in stride, much as she did the last time we were here. Abigail and her beautiful eyes fill with amazement and Colin, for all his shrugging and pretending not to be amazed, is amazed!
And so, with sore feet and aching legs, off I go to dream more dreams of adventures yet to come, roller coasters yet to overcome and, mostly, smiles and laughter waiting to be had.

One Week from Today...

We'll be trampling through Disney's Animal Kingdom, search for bones in the bone yard, Riding the Kali River Rapids, strolling through the African and Asia ports, maybe going to the Lion King show and definitely, definitely, having a "Volcano!" at the Rain Forest Cafe for Dinner!

Will it be warm, Mum?

The current long term forecast: blue skies, with some cloudy periods, low humidity and daily highs around 28 and 29 degrees. We're all looking forward to being "wrapped" in the heat as soon as we step off the plane! For Erin, who just spent a week enduring a miserable April snowstorm in Edmonton, the next 8 sleeps will be filled with sunshine, warm breezes, visions of the swimming pool at the Villa and, or course, that ever favorite smell of sunscreen. Who are we kidding, that's what the entire Team 11 will be dreaming of!

Bring it on!