Hello people!
I am currently in Orlando, sitting on my couch while all of my Orlando friends are working or getting ready for work. It’s Monday, and I’ve been here since late Friday night. Let me catch you up with how it’s going.
I almost take early morning flights. Flights, Dr appointments, whatever - I like to do it early and get on with it. But this flight (determined by the which one was the cheapest that day) didn’t leave till 4 and reminded me why I like to fly early. I was ready to go before lunch and anxiously waited till it was time to leave for the airport. The flight from KC to Orlando is usually pretty smooth we made it 25 minutes early. My friend Dianne pulled up right as I walked out the door.
She knew I missed dinner so she brought some snacks in a cooler. She had my favorite treats waiting at her apartment - including a nice cold bottle of Moscato. We enjoyed that as we caught up until about 1am. We talk through technology of course but nothing is as good as face to face with a friend.
We slept in on Saturday, but after we were up for a while (and registered for the DCP reunion coming in January), I realized how close I actually was to the Magic Kingdom. Suddenly I needed to be there asap. Neither of us have passes right now, but my brother had offered to get us in that weekend so we made plans for him to pick us up. We walked under the train and into the park just as Festival of Fantasy was finishing up.
Since it’s still August, I didn’t realize the parks would be decorated for Fall already, but I love the fall decorations and was happy to see them!
But you guys - I really did not understand how hot it is in Orlando in August. I mean I did intellectually, but Oh My Goodness. It was a stormy day, so it wasn’t the sun beating you hot we get in Kansas, it was like walking into a sauna. I mean I grew up with 80+ percent humidity and everyone in Kansas thinks it’s super humid there in the summer but it is nothing compared. It’s crazy, and everyone who lives here said it wasn’t really that bad this weekend. So wow.
We didn’t stay long because sitting around outside, which is usually one of my favorite parts of a Disney visit, wasn’t quite the same in the heat and it was also stormy. Wait times for even the least popular rides were crazy long. We had lunch at Pecos Bills where I ran into some long time Disboard friends completely at random. That was some lovely Disney magic. We made one trip around the park and decided that was enough. As we were headed out the rains started so I think we had pretty good timing.
Here are a few park pictures:
Everything is always good once you see the castle.
On a day that hot, Mickey's Philharmagic is, well, magic.
Had to take a shot of my favorite view.
You just can't walk by the purple wall without a photo.
See ya real soon, Mickey!
That night Dianne and I had delivery from my favorite pizza place with her roommate. We talked until he went to bed, and then we talked some more. Like you do with friends you don't see nearly enough. We were up late, but not nearly as late as the night before.
Sunday morning we met our best girl Monica at Boma for a giant brunch buffet and it was so good. The food - but I mostly mean hanging out with my girls again. Seriously, that time made me feel like everything was right with the world again I love them so much.
Later I had plans to meet up with my brother and his girlfriend again to visit Epcot. I wanted to visit my old store and friends working there, and we had reservations to eat at my favorite Disney restaurant Via Napoli. I was still so full from brunch I ended up bringing most of my dinner home (for lunch this afternoon). We finished just in time to find a spot for the Epcot fireworks and then came back to their house.
This is the store I worked at on my Disney College Program.
There was a 10 minute wait for Ana and Elsa, so I got in line. I became quick Disney friends with a family from England, so we had our picture taken together.
My brother and the inappropriate troll.
Moscato in fake Italy!
Via Napoli probably isn't the best restaurant at Disney world, but it's my favorite. These arancini are my favorite appetizer (they were better when they were smaller and there were three).
The main event - spicy Italian sausage pizza with my favorite wine.
It was late, especially for them since they aren’t on vacation and still have to work, but we all went straight for the tv to watch the Game of Thrones finale. That’s another post but I’ll just say I was not disappointed. I stayed up to an insane hour reading and posting about the episode and eventually fell asleep listening to an instant take Game of Thrones podcast about.
And now we’re back to Monday morning. I really slept in this morning, which was quite nice. In a little bit Adriane will be home and we might run back to Epcot so I can see another former coworker I missed yesterday. Or we might stay where it’s air conditioned. I’m not really sure what the plans are for tonight.
Tomorrow I’m having breakfast with Adam, the 3rd of my best DCP friends. Dianne will pick me up after she gets off work and Monica might come over late when she’s done working. Wednesday morning we’re going back to parks so I can see the new land of Pandora. Dianne’s roommate has us on a VIP meet and greet for after his show which sounds super cool, and we’ll close out the night seeing the new Magic Kingdom fireworks.
And then Thursday night I’ll leave.
I know 6 nights is probably the average length of a vacation, but man this seems short and rushed. I predict I will not even be ready to go home by then, but I’m so grateful for this impromptu get away I won’t even be mad.
Your brother is awesome.
Posted by: Your Brother | August 29, 2017 at 07:13 PM