Around the World in a Day

Magical Memory

Mondays

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This past trip, Allison decided she had favorites at each park that she wanted to revisit at the end of our trip...the very end!  For our last full day of our Disney vacation, we decided to take on the challenge of visiting all 4 theme parks in one day!  The night before our venture, Allison made a list of all of the attractions she wanted to hit.  The rest of us were allowed to add a few in, too, of course.  We hit the hay, and then got up early in the morning, so we could be at Animal Kingdom when the park opened.  If I remember correctly, Animal Kingdom had Extra Magic Hours that morning, so we were able to get a head start on our day.

She's just a little excited--can you tell?







First up--Primeval Whirl!  What a way to start the day!  We also hit Kali River Rapids and Everest...not once, but twice!  Then, it was on to Disney's Hollywood Studios--we had a lunch at Sci-Fi Dine In that we didn't want to miss!





On our way to lunch, we stopped to see the High School Musical Pep Rally, buy some trading pins, and visit with some favorite characters we had missed during the week.

After a great, relaxing lunch of burgers and awesome milkshakes, we worked on our "list":  Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Playground, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Playhouse Disney Live (with a quick picture with Handy Manny while we were waiting), and, of course, one of Sarah's favorites--The Great Movie Ride!  We always ride at least 2 or 3 times during our vacations  ;)

Time was marching on, though, so we headed on over to Magic Kingdom, where we had plenty to do!  Big Thunder Mountain Railroad; Splash Mountain; Pirates of the Caribbean; Haunted Mansion; The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh; Mad Tea Party;  Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover, and we threw in Carousel of Progress, as a last-minute thought.  The highlight of the evening, though, was Allison's first time riding Space Mountain, just before Magic Kingdom closed its attractions for the night!  Sadly, we didn't have time to ride again, so we headed over to Cosmic Ray's, where Alan had gotten dinner for all of us to eat, while we contemplated our busy day!

Still going strong!  Notice the crane next to the Castle?
They were already putting up Christmas lights on the Castle--in September!



Finally, it was time to move on....very slowly now.  It had been a really long day, and we still had one more park to conquer!  We forgot to take the closing crowds into consideration, though.  Our original plan had been to take the Monorail to Epcot for evening Extra Magic Hours, but the lines to the Monorail and the Boat to the TTC were a mile long!  Oh, no!!!  We decided to take the bus back to our home resort, The Beach Club, and walk from there...it was really close to Epcot!  Alas, as we got closer to The Beach Club, Sarah lost her momentum, and just couldn't go any farther.  It had been a VERY LONG day for an Aspie.  I was SO proud of her, though!  She had been such a trooper and had gone for SO LONG that day!   I am still in awe of her accomplishments for the day!  Alan made the "sacrifice" and decided to stay back at The Beach Club with Sarah, while Allison and I went to complete our task.

We didn't realize how tired we truly were!  Phew!  My feet still hurt, just thinking about it!  Allison and I were determined to do it, though.  We took our time, and just enjoyed the ambience of the relatively quiet night at Epcot.

Our goal for the evening here--Test Track and Soarin'!  As we were walking, Allison commented to me, "Mom, you know what I would like to do next time?  I'd really like to see the "fountain show."  I told her, "I wish you had told me--we would have made time to do that this week!"  As we walked slowly by the Fountain of Nations, the lights turned on, and the music started.  My little girl was getting her wish!  We stood there together and watched the light show until it ended.  What a Magical ending to our long day!  Excited about what had just happened, we then headed over to Test Track and got in line--30 minutes!  At 11pm!   We persevered, though, and got to ride!  By the time we got off, it was 11:45, and we were beat!  Soarin' would just have to wait till next year.  At least we had already ridden a couple of times already this trip.  No problem--except that our feet REALLY hurt!!!

We headed back to The Beach Club.  Our resort that is so close to Epcot sure didn't seem close now!  Every step was painful!  By the time we got back to The Beach Club, my feet hurt so bad, I had to take the elevator to the 2nd floor!  We went in the room and collapsed!  We definitely slept well that night!

Was it worth it?  Definitely!!!  Would we do it again?  Probably not!  We would spread it over 2 days, instead.  Phew!  What a day!  But, what awesome memories we have of that day!  The memories I made with Allison at the end of the day are Magical, and I wouldn't trade them for the world! 

--written by Missy Smith, Disney Travel Specialist at 3D Travel Company

Magical Memory Monday

Magical Memory

Mondays

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Cooling Off at Epcot



One of our traditions when we visit Epcot is to stop at the Play Fountain between Future World and the World Showcase near Canada.  It's a great way to cool off from the September heat!  Sarah decided she wanted to stay mostly dry this past trip, but in her usual Aspie-fashion, she stayed right there on the edge of the action!



Sarah's thinking about it...



Alan tried to encourage her by getting in on the fun!







Allison is checking it out



Whee!  Can you tell Allison LOVES the water?!?



Cooling off without getting drenched









I think I can keep it from spraying me!

--Written by Missy Smith, Disney Specialist with 3D Travel Company

Contact me at missy.smith@3dtravelcompany for your free, no-obligation quote



Magical Memory Monday--Take Time to Stop and Smell the Flowers!

Magical Memory

Mondays

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On our most recent Disney vacation, I decided it was time to slow down, instead of rushing around, trying to "do everything."  I took the time to stop and smell...and photograph...the flowers, as well as some other things I may have just overlooked in the past.  Enjoy!



--Written by Missy Smith, Disney Specialist with 3D Travel Company

For a free, no-obligation quote, email me at missy.smith@3dtravelcompany.com 



Breakfast with Lilo, Stitch, and....Surprise!!!

Magical Memory

Mondays

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For our most recent trip, I made a last minute reservation for breakfast at 'Ohana.  I had considered this in the past, but had always decided against it.  This year, because of how we had reserved our room, we had some extra meals with our dining plan, I decided to go for it!  I'm so glad we did!  The food was great, and the character interaction was awesome!  I knew we'd get to see Lilo and Stitch, which was the main reason for booking this meal...Lilo and Stitch are 2 of Sarah's favorites.

I had been so focused on knowing that Lilo and Stitch were going to be there, and getting to surprise Sarah with that, that I didn't notice who else would be there...Mickey Mouse...

and PLUTO!!!  Allison's favorite! 



She was SO excited to see her new best friend!  Can't you tell?

We are very excited to be going back again on our next trip, and eating breakfast with all of our friends who are joining us for 3D Travel's The Ultimate Field Trip!  We'd love for you to join us!  Click here for your free, no-obligation quote!  Can't wait to see you!
--Written by Missy Smith, Disney Travel Specialist at 3D Travel Company



Disney on Ice, The Next Best Thing

Magical Memory

Mondays

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My girls and I are already thinking about our next Disney trip...unfortunately, it's still 6 months away!  So, what better way to enjoy a little bit of Disney close to home than going to see Disney on Ice!  This year's theme was Princess Wishes.  Almost all of Disney's beloved princesses were there--Belle, Jasmine, Snow White, Ariel, Mulan, Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), and of course, Cinderella.  All of them except for Belle performed with their respective prince; Belle performed with some of the enchanted kitchen staff in "Be Our Guest."

Belle and Lumiere heading to "dinner"



Jasmine and "Prince Ali"



Snow White and her Prince Charming





Ariel and Prince Eric, after Ariel has traded in her voice and tail for legs



Mulan and her "General"



Sleeping Beauty, waiting for her True Love's first kiss





Maleficent, the dragon, setting fire to the ice!





Anastasia and Drizella trying to catch the Prince's attention







Cinderella being escorted from her carriage by the Prince



Cinderella and her Prince Charming

Who was responsible for the magic behind making all of the princesses' dreams come true?  Why, Tinkerbell, of course!   She was even privileged enough to get to ride in Cinderella's Carriage!



The show concluded with a magnificent finale, complete with all of the evening's princesses and fellow performers, as well as fireworks on the ice!  It was a beautiful way to complete the evening!



As always, the girls LOVED the show, and yet another Disney Magical Memory was made!

--Written by Missy Smith, your Disney Travel Specialist at 3D Travel Company

Click here for your free, no-obligation quote!

Allison's New BFF!

Magical Memory

Mondays

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On our most recent trip to WDW, Allison suddenly decided that her FAVORITE character was now Pluto.  Our vacation became a quest to find Pluto and get great pictures of the two of them!  We also tried to find "souvenirs" that were Pluto-themed.  I had her search high and low for her favorite thing to buy, and had her wait a few days, just to be sure of what she wanted.  Needless to say, we came home with a plush Pluto who is in the rotation of sleeping with her at night (she alternates her "friends" every few nights).  We did find during our trip, though, that there is not a whole lot of "stuff" with just Pluto on it.  Allison is an avid snowglobe collector, and was hoping to find a Pluto snowglobe, but sadly, we weren't able to find one we loved.  I did find one at a local store during the holidays, though, and surprised her with it at Christmas, along with a montage picture of her with Pluto!  She can't wait to go back to WDW and see her new best friend!



--Written by Missy Smith, Disney Specialist at 3D Travel Company

http://www.3dtravelcompany.com/