DisneyWorld, OSIRIS-REx, and beyond!
There I was, five days, alone in the house. It was amazing. I got up when it suited me. I managed no one but myself. I took myself to work without detour. I ate as I chose, when I chose. I stayed late at work without consequences. I danced ceili and Friday Night Waltz. I slept til I woke up on Saturday. I remember that person. She's still in there. It's nice to visit.
And then on Saturday I tried to finish all the pack and prep and leftover chores and shopping best done without 4 year old in tow.
And then, I flew off to Orlando with Christyn and Brian.
Our flight in Austin was delayed a bit, so I thought as we left that Erik and Athena might have to wait around for us, or maybe we'd fly a little faster and make up the delay. That didn't look likely as the pilot seemed in no hurry. About an hour before landing, we learned why: Orlando was being deluged and nothing was landing. We were being diverted to Ft. Lauderdale. We learned later that meant to refuel and take off again to fly back when we could land. Of course, this is the one leg of our flights that we were in an older plane with no internet, flight tracking. or other info. So I started working out all the possible scenarios that could happen when we couldn't communicate with Erik and Athena.
After a tense hour or so where we almost went to another airport, but managed to land in the nick of time. Erik and Athena were not so lucky. They diverted to Tampa and were flying back, due to land about 20-30 minutes after we landed. So we sent Brian to baggage claim and went to meet them at their gate. And then we waited, and waited, and waited. From the moment they hit the tarmac, it actually took 25 minutes to get to the gate. Maybe the pilot got lost? I don't know. Anyway, our little delay became a big delay, but we gathered up the bags, picked up our car rental, managed to wedge all the bags in it juuuuuuuust barely and headed to Disney's Coronado Springs.
And then we had our first taste of "Really Florida?" Okay, our second taste. Our first taste was the moment Brian and I went to pick out our rental car. That first breath of air outside the terminal so humid and warm that it stopped being air and started being water hit me. I pulled it together and figured out how to breathe when it's 9:30 at night, 90 degrees, and freaking tropically humid. Our second taste of Florida was all the unmanned toll booths on the road between the airport and WDW that accepted coins (or toll tag) only. "Doesn't everyone fly with a roll of quarters?" they silently asked? We rifled our pockets and wallets and made it. We even helped out a car in front of us in the same predicament, just sitting at the toll station blocking our way. The car rental agency hadn't even offered to rent us a toll tag. I suspect they see it as a revenue stream processing all the tickets with a handling fee. Florida: it makes your California mortgage seem reasonably priced.
Day 1: Magic Kingdom. Eerily like Disneyland, but alternate universe Disneyland where I have no idea where to find the good bathrooms. They still have a PeopleMover! The Seven Dwarves Mine Train is a hoot (and a high quality kids coaster). We started learning our way around our MagicBands and the FastPass+ system. It's definitely different. They also have a quick service place where you can get Dole Whip at any one of a dozen registers. I waited under 5 minutes from, "Ooh Dole Whip sounds good!" to actually having it in my mouth. Disneyland needs this. I'm not kidding. There was also a shocking lack of churros. Considering churros were on my Dining Plan bucket list, I was not best pleased, but I soothed my soul with easily accessible Dole Whip.
Day 2: Disney's Hollywood Studios. Weirdly, not super interesting for Athena. She didn't want to do the Little Mermaid show. She strongly prefers rides. Most of the rides there required her to be taller and/or braver. She's pretty brave for a 4 year old, but not Tower of Terror brave. Nope. Turns out, I'm not brave enough for the Rockin' Roller Coaster. Holy sneezeballs Batman!
We called it early and headed back to the hotel where we went to the pool and let Athena try out the water slide. We underestimated her love for the water slide. A lot. We suddenly regretted not having 2 more days and passes to the water parks on site. The first time she went down, she was hesitant. She made Erik go first, then me follow. I expected to get to the bottom to find an inconsolable little ladybug. Nope. I got to the bottom and she yelled at the top of her lungs, "I WANT TO DO IT AGAIN!" She made us go with her 2 more times, then declared, "It's okay Mommy. I can go by myself." And then she did it another 30 times or so. I really wish I'd had video of the "I'm not running" walk she did to the stairs, straight legged, tutu swimsuit flouncing. One of the times she let me go with her, I told her she was hilarious. She asked, "What means hilarious?" I said, "It means you make me laugh and smile." She said, "Yes, I am hilarious."
And then on Saturday I tried to finish all the pack and prep and leftover chores and shopping best done without 4 year old in tow.
And then, I flew off to Orlando with Christyn and Brian.
Our flight in Austin was delayed a bit, so I thought as we left that Erik and Athena might have to wait around for us, or maybe we'd fly a little faster and make up the delay. That didn't look likely as the pilot seemed in no hurry. About an hour before landing, we learned why: Orlando was being deluged and nothing was landing. We were being diverted to Ft. Lauderdale. We learned later that meant to refuel and take off again to fly back when we could land. Of course, this is the one leg of our flights that we were in an older plane with no internet, flight tracking. or other info. So I started working out all the possible scenarios that could happen when we couldn't communicate with Erik and Athena.
After a tense hour or so where we almost went to another airport, but managed to land in the nick of time. Erik and Athena were not so lucky. They diverted to Tampa and were flying back, due to land about 20-30 minutes after we landed. So we sent Brian to baggage claim and went to meet them at their gate. And then we waited, and waited, and waited. From the moment they hit the tarmac, it actually took 25 minutes to get to the gate. Maybe the pilot got lost? I don't know. Anyway, our little delay became a big delay, but we gathered up the bags, picked up our car rental, managed to wedge all the bags in it juuuuuuuust barely and headed to Disney's Coronado Springs.
And then we had our first taste of "Really Florida?" Okay, our second taste. Our first taste was the moment Brian and I went to pick out our rental car. That first breath of air outside the terminal so humid and warm that it stopped being air and started being water hit me. I pulled it together and figured out how to breathe when it's 9:30 at night, 90 degrees, and freaking tropically humid. Our second taste of Florida was all the unmanned toll booths on the road between the airport and WDW that accepted coins (or toll tag) only. "Doesn't everyone fly with a roll of quarters?" they silently asked? We rifled our pockets and wallets and made it. We even helped out a car in front of us in the same predicament, just sitting at the toll station blocking our way. The car rental agency hadn't even offered to rent us a toll tag. I suspect they see it as a revenue stream processing all the tickets with a handling fee. Florida: it makes your California mortgage seem reasonably priced.
Day 1: Magic Kingdom. Eerily like Disneyland, but alternate universe Disneyland where I have no idea where to find the good bathrooms. They still have a PeopleMover! The Seven Dwarves Mine Train is a hoot (and a high quality kids coaster). We started learning our way around our MagicBands and the FastPass+ system. It's definitely different. They also have a quick service place where you can get Dole Whip at any one of a dozen registers. I waited under 5 minutes from, "Ooh Dole Whip sounds good!" to actually having it in my mouth. Disneyland needs this. I'm not kidding. There was also a shocking lack of churros. Considering churros were on my Dining Plan bucket list, I was not best pleased, but I soothed my soul with easily accessible Dole Whip.
Day 2: Disney's Hollywood Studios. Weirdly, not super interesting for Athena. She didn't want to do the Little Mermaid show. She strongly prefers rides. Most of the rides there required her to be taller and/or braver. She's pretty brave for a 4 year old, but not Tower of Terror brave. Nope. Turns out, I'm not brave enough for the Rockin' Roller Coaster. Holy sneezeballs Batman!
 |
| No really. |
Day 3: Epcot. We started the day at The Seas, which has been delightfully updated with a Nemo overlay. We enjoyed the aquarium. We walked up to the dolphins just as they were about to do a show, so we ended up with an accidental front-row spot. They were total hams, ready to take the slightest cue from the trainer and turn it into comedy. We also had lunch scheduled at Akershus, which I'd heartily recommend to anyone who wants some up close and personal time with the princesses. Athena was over the moon. And the Blue Glowtini was a better drink than it had any right to be. She got to help lead a parade with Princess Aurora. The food was also really good. Next we hit the new Frozen Ever After ride. They took the track of the old Norway troll ride and reused it for Frozen. It works. Athena adored it. Then we took a tour of the World Showcase including a Wine Walk, took a Journey Into Imagination, and At the end of the day, we split up from Christyn and Brian who got a lakeside seat in the Moroccan showcase for a lovely dinner while we grabbed a quick bite and headed to Spaceship Earth because Athena wanted one more ride and that was the one we hadn't done. She'd resisted all day, but finally relented and we had 10 minutes to make it from as far away as we could be in the park. We made it! And Judi Dench narrated our journey. It was a super neat ride, and Athena loved playing in the Project Tomorrow showcase, especially the Body Works game. She did all the things, and that one twice, and then the staff politely encouraged us to get on the way. It was 40 minutes past closing time.
Day 4: Launch Day. Well, this was supposed to be the crowning jewel of the trip. It was significantly more problematic than that.
Day 5: Animal Kingdom.
Day 6: Epcot again! We started the day with croissant sandwiches and espresso, plus two desserts from the France pavilion and that was the best decision ever. The croissants were like only the French really make them. The creme brulee was absolutely perfect. We determined to return again. This brings up something funny about the trip: we had a dining plan included with our room and every meal included an entree, drink, and dessert. Every. Meal. We were expected to want 2 desserts a day. It was madness. Some places would kindly let you swap for a cup of soup or something, but mostly no, just dessert. Plus the dining plan also included a snack every day. We ate All The Things. Knowing this going in, I determined I would abandon my diet for the duration of the trip. This had two consequences: 1. all the tummy grumbles and constipation returned, and 2. I learned that about 20,000 steps a day meets my appetite. I couldn't really eat that much food in a day, and I didn't gain weight because we were logging between 18-30k steps a day. But I was so ready to go back to my diet when I returned. Five days later, my tummy was happy again. So, I think I'm sticking with this for the very long run, with the occasional adventure in eating all the things where I know there will be consequences, but where the trade off is worth it. And yeah, Disneyland churros are worth it.We had another trip through the Frozen ride and saw a few more things, but Athena begged to return to the pool, so we did. This time I was prepared:
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| Kindle and frozen Sangria |
Kid runs around on the slide, I read a book and sip a nice poolside beverage. All is right in the world. In reality, she did ask me to come play with her (and slide with her), so I didn't get too much reading time, but it was quite nice even to even walk up to that dream and say hi.
Day 7: Magic Kingdom redux, and catching up with John, Stacy, and Indigo.
Day 8: Last chance! Epcot, Magic Kingdom and flying home.
Take-aways from DisneyWorld:
Take-aways from DisneyWorld:
- You need at least 8 days, probably more like 10, to feel like you've done it all. We never saw Disney Springs. We missed La Nouba. We didn't get to see the Star Wars Fireworks Spectacular. We skipped the water parks. We never used our free mini-golf passes. We only got one day at Animal Kingdom. Seriously, I could've done 3 more days without thinking twice. If we wanted to do anything outside of WDW, add more days.
- I love Disney customer service. For the first two weeks after getting back, all I wanted out of life was to plan my next Disney vacation. A cruise, a return trip, DLP, anything! In the loving embrace of the Mouse, there was no problem so large that could not be solved with a quick thinking cast member or a free fast pass. On September 8th, I dearly wished KSC was run by Disney instead of Delaware North. That impression has only been reinforced since getting home.
- Athena loves water rides. Water slides, Splash Mountain, Kali River Rapids. If it's water-based, it beats any roller coaster or dark ride. I'd best get used to being soggy.
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