A trip to remember
We are back from a wonderful trip to Walt Disney World and a Disney cruise to the Bahamas. Despite some setbacks from cold weather and the stomach flu, it was still one of the best vacations I have ever been on, and it wouldn't have been great without my wonderful husband by my side, having fun. :-)
We were celebrating our 3 year anniversary on this trip, even if a bit early, and boy did Disney celebrate with us! We were given anniversary buttons at the beginning when we checked in to our hotel and wore them every day in the parks. Every cast member who saw us congratulated us enthusiastically and asked how long we've been married. We got some special treatment, like little cakes and hearts and swan-shaped towels at turn down service, not to mention the cast members seating us alone on every ride so we could share it without a family with screaming children (no offense to those with kids, I'm sure you understand). It was truly magical... I don't know how Disney does it, but they always go above and beyond in service and surprises to make each vacation extra special. The best part was spending time talking and getting to know my husband even more each and every day.
Other highlights include the following:
Riding Splash Mountain in the 50-degree weather!
Watching the amazing fireworks over the castle while we waited for our dinner with Pooh and friends.
Not thinking about taxes, chores, work, school, money, or mortgages!
Becoming a little kid again by dressing as a Pirate and partying down on the top of a ship (with fireworks).
Eating amazing amounts of good food that we definitely got a deal on due to the glorious Disney Dining Plan... we didn't touch hot dogs or hamburgers all week!
Walking and shopping (and eating!) around the world at Epcot.
Seeing Broadway-quality shows aboard the Disney Wonder every night.
Getting soaking wet in the pouring rain... and riding the Aerosmith coaster anyway.
Going on test track twice in a row at Epcot during early morning hours, and then going on Mission Space and deciding it was time for a nap back at the hotel (Warning... do not EVER go on mission space, especially not the more intense orange side! They put you in a simulator that sends you to space with G-forces and spinning and all in a claustrophobic environment... I hate space and am terribly motion sick, but I thought I could handle it since I do coasters just fine. I was wrong. Eliot couldn't take it either. Don't go!
Riding a clam under the sea to find Nemo and finding two rescued Manatees as well.
Going on a real safari to "Africa" and seeing live animals I've never seen in an open-air jeep...and some lions doing things Disney would never approve of lol!
Sitting on deck in a quiet area squeezed into a single chair with my sweetheart, sipping gourmet coffee and watching the ocean sail on by while we pretended we were on an Alaskan cruise instead of a Caribbean one (it was coooold!).
Discovering our private deck and looking out on Castaway Cay even though I couldn't leave my room because of the stomach bug I had contracted.
Seeing my husband relax and take time out for himself for the first time in months.
Watching Eliot think he was drunk because he had never experienced the need for sea legs before!
Watching Mulan, The Lion King, and Jungle Book while relaxing in our room... with room service. Oh yeah.
Having quality conversations about our relationship, our future, our marriage, and our beliefs.
Experiencing record-breaking cold in Florida, and going for a hot tub swim in the pouring rain to have fun anyway.
Wearing five layers of clothes and all the long-sleeve clothes I brought with me just to sit and watch the night show at Epcot.
Going on "the wildest ride in the wilderness" in the front, back, AND middle of the train! (The front is the best by far)
Looking at little kids doing cute things and looking at each other knowing in a few years that could be our kids. :-)
Being able to walk away from those cute kids when they start screaming about wanting ice cream. :-D
Staying at a Disney resort and having them take care of everything... they transported our bags everywhere... I didn't touch them from the time we left our stateroom till baggage claim in Portland!
Just being with my husband and knowing we have been together for 3 years and people still ask us if we are on our honeymoon. <3
Here is a link to our photo album, in case anyone cares to see a million pictures of the amazing time we had!
Disney Land and Sea 2009!!
And, for your viewing pleasure, some videos!
We were celebrating our 3 year anniversary on this trip, even if a bit early, and boy did Disney celebrate with us! We were given anniversary buttons at the beginning when we checked in to our hotel and wore them every day in the parks. Every cast member who saw us congratulated us enthusiastically and asked how long we've been married. We got some special treatment, like little cakes and hearts and swan-shaped towels at turn down service, not to mention the cast members seating us alone on every ride so we could share it without a family with screaming children (no offense to those with kids, I'm sure you understand). It was truly magical... I don't know how Disney does it, but they always go above and beyond in service and surprises to make each vacation extra special. The best part was spending time talking and getting to know my husband even more each and every day.
Other highlights include the following:
Riding Splash Mountain in the 50-degree weather!
Watching the amazing fireworks over the castle while we waited for our dinner with Pooh and friends.
Not thinking about taxes, chores, work, school, money, or mortgages!
Becoming a little kid again by dressing as a Pirate and partying down on the top of a ship (with fireworks).
Eating amazing amounts of good food that we definitely got a deal on due to the glorious Disney Dining Plan... we didn't touch hot dogs or hamburgers all week!
Walking and shopping (and eating!) around the world at Epcot.
Seeing Broadway-quality shows aboard the Disney Wonder every night.
Getting soaking wet in the pouring rain... and riding the Aerosmith coaster anyway.
Going on test track twice in a row at Epcot during early morning hours, and then going on Mission Space and deciding it was time for a nap back at the hotel (Warning... do not EVER go on mission space, especially not the more intense orange side! They put you in a simulator that sends you to space with G-forces and spinning and all in a claustrophobic environment... I hate space and am terribly motion sick, but I thought I could handle it since I do coasters just fine. I was wrong. Eliot couldn't take it either. Don't go!
Riding a clam under the sea to find Nemo and finding two rescued Manatees as well.
Going on a real safari to "Africa" and seeing live animals I've never seen in an open-air jeep...and some lions doing things Disney would never approve of lol!
Sitting on deck in a quiet area squeezed into a single chair with my sweetheart, sipping gourmet coffee and watching the ocean sail on by while we pretended we were on an Alaskan cruise instead of a Caribbean one (it was coooold!).
Discovering our private deck and looking out on Castaway Cay even though I couldn't leave my room because of the stomach bug I had contracted.
Seeing my husband relax and take time out for himself for the first time in months.
Watching Eliot think he was drunk because he had never experienced the need for sea legs before!
Watching Mulan, The Lion King, and Jungle Book while relaxing in our room... with room service. Oh yeah.
Having quality conversations about our relationship, our future, our marriage, and our beliefs.
Experiencing record-breaking cold in Florida, and going for a hot tub swim in the pouring rain to have fun anyway.
Wearing five layers of clothes and all the long-sleeve clothes I brought with me just to sit and watch the night show at Epcot.
Going on "the wildest ride in the wilderness" in the front, back, AND middle of the train! (The front is the best by far)
Looking at little kids doing cute things and looking at each other knowing in a few years that could be our kids. :-)
Being able to walk away from those cute kids when they start screaming about wanting ice cream. :-D
Staying at a Disney resort and having them take care of everything... they transported our bags everywhere... I didn't touch them from the time we left our stateroom till baggage claim in Portland!
Just being with my husband and knowing we have been together for 3 years and people still ask us if we are on our honeymoon. <3
Here is a link to our photo album, in case anyone cares to see a million pictures of the amazing time we had!
Disney Land and Sea 2009!!
And, for your viewing pleasure, some videos!
Click to view