Wowee! This year has come and gone so fast! Just last Christmas me and the Bridges gang (aka my three cousins, lil sis and me) were discussing a possible trek to Orlando for the mecca of Disney enthusiasts and fanatics, Walt Disney World. Now fast forward to today and it has been 16 plus days since our first day in Florida. It has been such a blessing that we were able to go and that my uncle so graciously decided to take us along. Memories that I will cherish forever and comeback to in my day dreams when I need to escape on a magical adventure. Of course there will always be talks of going back and planning, wishing, praying but nothing will be more sure than the trip we already took, that is now forever in our memories.
Just six nights we had to explore another world and six nights too few, at least for me, I would have moved in if it was possible. It all started with a very early 6AM pick up from the shuttle and a 9AM departure from LAX. We arrived at MCO with just too much excitement at about 5PM and headed for Disney's Magical Express. We took bus number 3 for Saratoga Springs and as the driver welcomed us to Walt Disney World everyone cheered. We were finally here.
 |
| Ready for takeoff |
We entered our resort and were greeted with "Welcome Home" and it was true, for the next six nights it would be home. The front desk was so grand and surreal it really did feel like upstate New York and certainly nothing like I had imagined Florida. After check in we went out to bell services and headed to our deluxe villa to change and reorganize. The rooms were so nice and the kitchen and living area made us feel like we had enough space for 7 people. We gathered our things and headed for a night out at Downtown Disney. Easily double the size of the one in Anaheim it was a park in its own and was a great experience for our first night there. We ate at Raglan Road an amazing Irish restaurant and then made our way back to the hotel to prepare for the day ahead, Animal Kingdom.
 |
| Watching Winnie the Pooh in tiny chairs. It is intended for children. |
 |
| On our way to Downtown Disney |
 |
| What I ate. It was so dark it needed flash. "Where is my plate?" |
We woke a little later than planned, jetlag maybe, got ready and waited for our bus to take us to the park. When we arrived we were instructed on how to use our magic bands, took a photo in front of the Animal Kingdom sign with photopass and grabbed some Starbucks for breakfast using our Disney dining plan.
 |
| Bridges Crew Powers Activate! |
After discovering the park through use of our many maps we headed to where the Festival of the Lion King is and waited for what would be one of the most amazing live performances I have ever witnessed. Being brought to tears from the performers beautiful voice which far surpassed any pop star on the radio, we left to take a photo in front of the amazing creation that is The Tree of Life.
 |
| I wore this comfy romper from Free People my new hat and of course my Tevas. |
 |
| Great photo of one cousin |
Next was shopping at Yak and Yeti which might have been the greatest store we encountered on our trip where every one of us bought at least one thing and every one of us could have bought one thing more. When we had lightened our wallets just a tad and learned that Orlando's tax rate was significantly cheaper than ours, adding fuel to our souvenir hungry fire, we went on Kali River Rapids. Their queue was so beautifully detailed and just about everything at Animal Kingdom was perfectly themed, you could easily forget where you really were in an instant.
 |
| When I go back I want the red pjs |
We inevitably got wet, but I didn't mind and then walked around to kill time before our next fastpass+, Kilimanjaro Safari, relishing in the delight and beauty that we were still actually here.
 |
| From in line on Kali River Rapids |
 |
| Hiya there pals! |
 |
| I guess he looks like Mickey. |
The Safari was breathtaking and unparalleled to any experience before. It was such a wonder seeing all of God's amazing and beautiful creatures from such a distance. The elephants were my favorite part and something that might have been a once in a lifetime kind of thing. Following the flamingos and lazy lions we met up with a little lady known as Daisy Duck and snapped some cute pics. And then the strangest thing occurred, we ended up in one of the shops. All the merchandise was quite fantastic some of it was clothes most of it was plush animals but I'll admit I was quite alright with that.
 |
| Elephants playing in the water. So precious. |
 |
| Huge Stitch! |
From there we made our way down to Dinoland U.S.A. which is all about my favorite underappreciated creature whose long decomposed body fuels almost every moment of my life. There were dinosaurs everywhere and the land's kitschy, fair vibe added to its novelty. The mini coaster Primeval Whirl was under renovation so we didn't ride it this time but the huge revolving dinos (Triceratop Spin) and photobooth made up for any previous disappointment. It was on to DINOSAUR a ride that which can only be described as the most thrilling attraction of my life; we'd go on twice that day. Unaware of what was in store for us just three minutes and five seconds prior ( I'm right. I googled.) our energy level was at an all time high when we exited being the loudest and most vocal we'd be all trip, well up until the Tower of Terror but that is for another time. We stopped to see the looks of panic on our faces that were preserved by the souvenir photo that was taken at the most frightful moment and walked out of through the conveniently placed gift shop for our next adventure, Expedition Everest.
 |
| Some more food. A waffle buffalo chicken slider. |
We had just made our fastpass+ reservation and got in line to quickly get onto the coaster. As we queued we looked at photos of past Everest explorers, climbing gear and experienced the myth of the yeti. When we entered our expedition cart I was alone and as we made our way up to meet the broken track I could hear every one of my fellow vacationers as we steeply shot backwards back into the mountain, suddenly I wasn't alone. The yeti's territorial animal instincts destroyed our track once more and we flew upward into curves and turns that made Expedition Everest one of the very
best coasters. Upon exiting four of us decided that a ten minute wait was cause to go on just once more before the park closed.
 |
| Expedition Everest |
After the attractions were closed and the whole body of park goers flooded out of the front gates we made our way to one last gift shop. We walked to bus number five for Saratoga Springs, signed off to our cameras and departed in high spirits for our trip round the world, Epcot.
 |
| *smooch* |
Till next time Explorers
XOXO
