I had a great week with my family. One that will try and capture below....a lot of it will be in picture form haha. But first I'll start with the day before they arrived....
Tuesday: I had my last Disney Heritage class. It was strange to think the eight week course had finally come to an end. I was kind of disappointed I was there and not at the Candlelight ceremony in Epcot where the rest of my friends were watching Neil Patrick Harris (aka NPH) narrate...sigh.
The class was still interesting and I got to learn a few more Disney facts before receiving my certificate of completion and my perfect attendance award.
After class I had work for six hours and it wasn't all that bad.
Wednesday: As my family was flying over the east coast I ran over to Magic Kingdom to take care of a few things before heading back to my apartment to meet them.
It was great seeing them after four months of being away from home! My Grandmom has made the journey: success #1 (she hadn't been a passenger on a plane since her honeymoon - she hates flying).
We went to the Luau at the Polynesian that evening and had a lovely time complete with AWESOME food and watching an amazing fire trick show.
After the Luau I took the monorail over to the contemporary to join my friends for the DCP Winter formal (#blizzardbash) - literally, the DJs must have implored us to use this hashtag via any way of social media AT LEAST 55 times.
Gram and I at the Luau
Thea, Kenzie, Gina, and I at formal :)
Thursday: We all slept in a little before heading to the Magic Kingdom in the afternoon til about dinner time. It was great showing Gram around the park - seeing what she remembered and all the new stuff. Mom, Dad, Eddie, and I got to go on some of our favorites including Space Mountain and the Hall of Presidents :) We also got front row seats to Celebrate a Dream Parade and the Christmas Preview. Eddie, Mom, and I also took a trip around the Speedway :)
Queen of Hearts flirting with Dad
There is a special little bit at the for the holidays and it was really pretty and very moving!
Epcot's Christmas Tree!
Mom, Eddie, and I went on StarTours - so fun and funny - before we all headed back to the hotel to swim and meet up with Gram before heading back to Studios at night.
Of course, Eddie wanted a picture with this car.
Dad, Mom, Me and Eddie in HS!
Back at Studios we headed straight for the 5:30 showing of Beauty and Beast and it was as good as I remembered though I was very disappointed to tech guys that turn into an acapella group did not make an appearance - did they retire? Also the Beast is not as scary as I remember while Gaston is much scarier.
We had a nice dinner in Studios and Eddie and I took Gram to see "One Man's Dream" (a walk through area and film that tells of Walt Disney's life). She really seemed to enjoy it.
But the show stopper was after dinner - Fantasmic (aka Fantastic). Waiting in a line of roughly a few hundred people isn't all that bad...until they are directed to walk in a calm and orderly fashion and take it as the sound of the pistol at the beginning of a track meet sprint race. Seriously, people calm down.
After getting through the masses we made it to our seats and only had a wait for a few minutes for the show to start. Fantasmic is great and Gram seemed to be memorized. She thought it was "incredible" - success #2.
After a day at the Studios we were pretty tired so we went home and right to bed.
Saturday: Saturday was the day we didn't go to any of the parks. We still had an enjoyable day by the pool and going to Downtown Disney. Late lunch/early dinner at Raglan Road followed by dessert at Ghardelli's and shopping in World of Disney. We went back to the hotel just as it was getting dark but with enough time to see all the buildings light up and get in a few good pictures (most of them are on my Grandmom's camera).
All of us in Downtown Disney
Sunday: We had a lovely breakfast at the Grand Floridian Cafe and I decided then and there that when I make enough money to treat myself to a fancy Disney vacation that's where I want to stay.
With the Gingerbread House!
Mom, Dad, Eddie, and I took an adventure to Epcot and got to ride my Dad's favorite ride - Soarin'. We also got to walk around the countries and meet Pere Noel!
We got fast passes to Test Track but sadly there was some kind of issue and the ride was down for most of the rest of the afternoon.
With Father Christmas!
Before we knew it, it was time to head to the Magic Kingdom for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party - part of my Dad's Christmas gift to us.
It was great to able to be in the Magic Kingdom as a guest for the party, appreciate the decorations and festive atmosphere - despite the temperature of 75 degrees.
We got to see the castle light up at 6:15 - so neat!
We spent some time shopping at the Emporium, drinking hot coco and eating sugar cookies and going on rides. Space Mountain (Me, Mom, and Eddie), People Mover (Gram liked that one), Tea cups, Peter Pan, Thunder Mountain (Me, Mom, Dad, and Eddie) to name a few...
Now a few pictures from Very Merry...
The Castle lit up!
Mickey and Minnie!
Nutcracker Soldiers!
SANTA!!! OH MY GOD!!!
PS - We watched the Eagles "Snow Bowl" game in 85 degree weather while wearing our bathing suits. Just saying.
Monday: Monday was our last day to enjoy the parks so we went to the only park Grandmom hadn't been to yet (for AM Magic Hours at that): Animal Kingdom!
We went on the Safari first as it is best to do it in the early morning - your chance of seeing animals is a lot higher -- and saw animals we did! Most animals I've seen on the Safari! So great!
Sadly the River Rapids was down so we went around to Everest and it was a lot of fun! We joined Gram for lunch and just walked around the park for a little bit and took pictures.
The rest of the day was another opportunity to relax and soak up the warm weather and sun (before Mom, Dad, Eddie, and Gram had to head home to the cold).
Tree of Life.
Animal Kingdom's Christmas Tree!
Tuesday: Tuesday morning we enjoyed our last breakfast at Pop Century; I had by stand by chocolate Croissant (so delicious)! We all took one last swim in the pool and the family took in the last of the warm weather and Vitamin D. We did some last minute shopping in the gift shop before heading off to my apartment.
It was crazy to think how quickly the week went but it was such a good week. I was grateful to be able to get the time off. On the bright side, I'll be seeing the family and all my friends in PA in 3 weeks!
After my family dropped me off I went to the Graduation Ceremony for DCP participants.
I got my Mickey graduation ears and certificate of completion....just 2 and half more weeks of work. Can't believe it's all coming to an end.
Wednesday: Yesterday I went to the gym and unpacked everything from the vacation with the family! I went and saw Frozen, FINALLY! I went by myself but I didn't care. It was amazing! Everyone must see it! So funny, great music, timeless story.
I finally went back to work last night and it really wasn't as bad as I thought it was gonna be - despite some people ridiculous comments and questions that left me puzzled - anyway - tis the season!
Thursday (today): Today I woke and just took time to read and relax as I wasn't feeling all that great. Hopefully my shift will go well at work tonight.
I can see the finish line --- so crazy!
In Conclusion: My family is amazing. They also left me with my childhood stocking filled with the 12/13/14 days of Christmas - too cute!
I don't know if my patience will hold out from opening the rest of them like tomorrow - haha I hope so.
:)
Finally: The last bit of Walt's quote from the blog title is this.... "...Lucky indeed is the grown-up who manages to carry these same characteristics over into his adult life. It usually makes for a happy and successful individual."
Reflecting on my family's trip I realized several things:
1.) I am an incredibly lucky daughter, sister, and Grand-daughter. They travel down here to Florida to see me and spend time with me around the holidays. Knowing we won't be together on Christmas day...it was like Christmas came early.
2.) This trip marked the first time my Grandmom had been on a plane since 1961 and her first time back in Disney since 1979! I'm so happy she got experience the magic of Disney - it reminded me of what Disney is truly all about - the place where dreams can come true and everyone is a kid again!
3.) Though I won't have my family here with me on Christmas Day at least I'll have my Disney family.
My family's trip spent in "The Happiest Place on Earth" truly embodied the dedication that Walt said at the opening of Disneyland:
"To all who come to this happy place: Welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America, with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world," Walt Disney
Along with the quote that is displayed on the Walt and Mickey Statue in front of Cinderella's Castle that reads:
"Partners"
"I think most of what I want Disneyland to be is a happy place...where parents and children can have fun, together."
We certainly did.
Until next time friends.
Keep Dreaming,
Mary-Kate
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