In early June, we took a fabulous vacation with the in-laws down in Orlando, where we spent 6 days taking in the sights and sounds and experiencing the thrills and chills of Disney World. It’d be a very long post indeed if I tried to cram in all that we did, so I’m going to focus on just six highlights from our time there.
“It all started with a bang”: The Fireworks
We got front-row seats for the light and fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom one night, but we were also fortunate to catch the fireworks from the ferry one night and from a bus another rainy evening. All in all, these were very impressive fireworks, including the ones that burst into heart and star shapes!
Evenings at the Magic Kingdom
From countless loops around the Speedway to meeting Rapunzel, Aurora, and Cinderella to catching the Electric Parade, evenings at the Magic Kingdom were a lot more tolerable than the heat of midday. The kids were too excited to go to bed at their regular bedtime anyway, so we kept them out late and counted on them to crash into deep sleep as soon as their heads hit the pillows (a good thing when you’re sharing a hotel room!).
“I’m in the movies!” at Hollywood Studios
Sir I. and David got up early one morning to sign Sir I. up for Jedi Training Academy. By the time the rest of us trickled into the park, Sir I. and eleven other young padawans were on stage receiving instruction. After their training, Darth Vader appeared on the scene in heavy-breathing-glory to tempt the young Jedis-in-training to the dark side. Each padawan fought in single combat with Darth Vader, and with their combined use of the Force drove him and his storm troopers away.
David, not to be outdone, volunteered to be an extra at the Indiana Jones stunt show, which was full of explosions galore.
Chillin’ at Blizzard Beach
The water park was the undisputed hit with everyone. From the one-acre wave pool to the lazy river that ran all around the park, it had something for everyone to do. Our family started off the day with a group activity–the Team Boat Springs. But the biggest hit of all were the Runoff Rapids, which we did several times, either in pairs or singly. The ten or so flights of stairs that we had to walk up while carrying our inner tubes failed to dampen our enthusiasm for this water slide.
“I’m flyyyyying” at Epcot
Our favorite rides at Epcot were Space Mission (simulation of a shuttle launch and Mars landing) and Soarin’ (simulation of flying in a glider over the California landscape). We did Space Mission twice, but Soarin’ was so popular we got to it only once.
Eating our way around the world
Our last day in the parks, with still several meals and snacks left on our Dining Plan, we proceeded to eat our way around the world at Epcot. We ate crepes in France, black forest cake and apple strudel in Germany, and orange chicken and lychee ice cream in China. The day before we ate dinner at Le Cellier Steakhouse in Canada. The filet mignon was heavenly.
Have you been to Disney? What are your Disney vacation highlights?
I’ve been to Disneyland, but never Disney World. When I was a kid, my family lived in Northern Virginia, and the year Disney World opened, my sisters and I tried to save pocket change so we could go. Our ambition was greater than our abilities at that stage, however. It sounds like we really missed out!
Aw, Liv. That’s so adorable! Funny, we live in Northern Virginia right now! We took the autotrain down to FL and that was definitely an experience, too!
How fun! Sounds like you guys had a great trip! Any pictures to share of places you saw there?
I’ve been to Disneyland a jillion times, but Disney World only once, on a business trip, though I took one extra day to rush around Magic Kingdom and Epcot. I enjoyed Epcot a lot, and remember all the different countries with the food. Yummy!
My nephew LOVES to do the Jedi Training Academy at Disneyland. We have Darth Maul to fight out here too, besides Vader, so the padawans (of which there are probably more like 30) are split into two groups, to fight each Sith.
LOL. Knowing about your family, I’m not surprised that your nephew loves the Jedi Training Academy!
I don’t think we have any place pictures, only people ones. I’m not a picture-taker at all: we used the Disney Photopass and some of our party took cell phone pics.
Sounds like a great trip! I’ve been to Disney World a few times and have always enjoyed it. I was just in Orlando as well, but only for a couple of days. My daughter and I went to Universal Studios so we could experience the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
We didn’t do Universal Studios at all. Maybe another time. 😀
I’m on the wrong side of the country to do Disney World. My parents and I went to Disneyland a few times, when we were more able to travel. Even that’s a 5-6 hour flight away, so we didn’t go often even then. I remember it fondly, but vaguely. The electric light parade left quite an impression. I think the last time we went, we caught it as often as feasible. {SMILE}
Anne Elizabeth Baldwin
I don’t think we’ll be going back to Disney World any time soon. There are a lot of other places we’d like to visit as well. We haven’t seen much of the West, for one thing.
My mom is something of a Disney fanatic. They’re members of the Vacation club and go to one of the Disney properties at least twice a year. We’ve been to Disney World a couple times now and I enjoy it every time. I’m not really big on the rides, but I am a fan of going around and doing everything else.
My favorite park is Epcot. I love walking around the world showcase. They have a band in the Canadian Pavilion called Off-Kilter who were kind of my introduction to Celtic-rock. They’re pretty fun. Also, in the Celtic Pavilion is Le Cellier (spelling?) which is a marvelous place to eat if you’re on the dining plan. If you’re a fan of steak, I highly recommend it.
I’m more than a little fond of Mickey’s Philharmagic in the Magic Kingdom. Its in Downtown Disney that I’m going to spend the most money though, because they have a truly excellent Lego Store. My wife and I dropped maaaaaaaaaybe too much money the last time we were there.
Oh, yes, we caught a little bit of Off-Kilter. David and I were the only ones of our group who enjoy Celtic music, so we didn’t hang around too long. We do try to catch a concert or two of Celtic music once or twice a year at other venues (we saw Riverdance last year, D’s gone to see Great Big Sea, we’ve seen Natalie McMaster and Leahy in concert).
Le Cellier is in Canada, and that’s where I had the *heavenly* filet mignon.
We didn’t see the Philharmonic or the Lego store (probably just as well for the Lego store, my kids would’ve gone CRAZY there). Another time. 🙂
Ever gone to see Gaelic Storm, in concert? We try and hit one of their shows every year. Its an absolute blast!
I love Gaelic Storm! No, we haven’t, though they did have a concert near us last year. Sadly, the day/time didn’t work out.