For those of you who continue to read and comment on my novel-length journals--thank you. This will probably be the final Summer Vacation journal (mostly because I can't remember what happened anymore). Anyway, here's the conclusion of what I did on my summer vacation.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Recap
Having spent a good chunk of the day in Charleston, South Carolina, we cut through Georgia, stopping only in Brunswick to use the restrooms. Before we know it we are in Florida, stopping at the welcome center to look at brochures and rest after a couple more hours in the car. Then we're off again. Closer to Orlando we hit our first thunderstorm, which slowed us down a little, but not much. By this time, it's already six o'clock in the evening, our check-in time was supposed to be around four, so we're already late. But what really delayed our arrival (apart from spending a quarter of the day in Charleston) was a couple of car accidents on the freeway, which were no doubt caused by the heavy rains. Once we got through that section of freeway, it was smoothe sailing all the way to the hotel. The sun even came out (Florida is the Sunshine State, after all).
Seven o'clock in the evening, we arrive on Disney property. Soon after, we arrive at the hotel (Disney's Old Key West) and check in. The concierge hands out various buttons for the things we are celebrating during our stay, including my sister's high school graduation (the entire reason for the trip) and my dad's birthday (which is the following day). After the concierge hands us our keys/tickets, we are off to our room, which is located at the far end of the resort.
I don't have any photos of the room, but I will do my best to describe it. It was much like any other hotel room--two queen-sized beds on one wall, a table and two chairs on another, a small corner of the room dedicated to the bathroom--except there was a sliding glass door which lead out to a tiny patio and a tiny kitchenette, which included a mini-fridge and a coffee-maker.
Since it was late, we did not go to any of the four Disney parks our first night. Instead, we headed off to Olivia's at the front of the resort to grab a bite to eat, and then to Downtown Disney to browse. And that was our first day in Florida at the Walt Disney World Resort.
Highlights from the rest of our stay at Walt Disney World
Monday, July 13 (My dad's 51st birthday)
Park: EPCOT Center
The first thing we did was visit The Land, where we took a boat ride on the Living on the Land tour. Then we headed over to The Living Seas, which is one of my favorite stops in the park.
We didn't stay at EPCOT long, because we had dinner reservations at Fulton's Crab House at Downtown Disney and we had to go back to our hotel room to change. I wore a white sundress with hot pink and green circles on it. We had eaten at Fulton's once before (in 2000) and had excellent meals. I got a platter of King Crab claws for $51.99--the most expensive meal I've ever had, with a few exceptions. Afterwards, we hopped on a bus to MG...excuse me, Disney's Hollywood Studios, where we basically just looked around and walked dinner off until the park closed.
I remember looking in one store that had DVDs and I made the comment that it would be so cool if they had Chip n Dale Rescue Rangers vol. 2 but of course, they didn't have it. Not that I had expected they would. I had been looking for it for two years with no luck.
Tuesday, July 14
Park: Disney's Hollywood Studios
So, we decided to pick up where we left off the night before. Unfortunately for us, the lines were so horribly long and confusing that it took almost an hour to even get in the gates that day. Some of you may be asking why? Well, since September 11, 2001, Disney has upped their security. If you're carrying a bag, you're not allowed into the park until it has been inspected. The process of searching the bags is usually handled much better than it was that day. It was mostly because people weren't following instructions and having their bags ready when they got up to the security guard. Anyway, we walk into the park, and head toward the same direction we had the previous night. We go into the same store with the DVDs and lo and behold! There, sitting on the shelf, is not one, but three copies of Chip n Dale Rescue Rangers vol. 2. I couldn't believe my eyes. I, of course, snatched up a copy for myself immediately. I paid for it, and had it sent to our hotel so I wouldn't have to carry it while we visited the attractions.
Disney really is a magical place.
Wednesday, July 15
Park: Disney's Animal Kingdom
This had to be the hottest day of our entire trip. It was only 90 degrees (I've been in Florida when it was over 100), but the humidity was almost 90 percent, which made moving around miserable. However, the first thing we did was run straight to Expedition Everest, which is one of the more popular rides in the park. It is a rollercoaster, after all. But the most surprising thing to me was that my mom decided to ride with us. She hates rollercoasters. They make her nervous. But she was so calm. I was so proud.
Afterwards, we headed right to Finding Nemo: The Musical. It was excellent. If Disney ever decides to lengthen this program from an hour to an full-length performance, I would pay the money to see it. If you're ever at Disney's Animal Kingdom, I highly recommend it. The rest of the day consisted mainly of trying to stay cool and hydrated.
Thursday, July 16
Park: EPCOT (again)
We decided to try to finish up at EPCOT. We didn't get anywhere near World Showcase on Monday and I wanted to try my hand at the interactive Kim Possible game they had there. As most of you who follow me know, I am a ginormous Kim Possible fan. Because of the game, we ended up spending a lot more time there than we had planned, but if you like the show, it's worth it. It was a lot of fun. I only wish I had the time to "solve" all seven crimes.
Memorable moment: We stopped at the Japan pavillion to get pearls. They do this thing where you pick your oyster and the Japanese ladies who work there open them with a (let's just say culturally educational and entertaining) ceremony to reveal the pearl. The one I got was 7.25mm, which is a decent size for a pearl. I also had it caged in a necklace so I could wear it.
This is kinda where everything starts to get a little fuzzy for me. I think we hopped on the monorail to Magic Kingdom for a little while, but I'm really not sure. If we did, we didn't do much after we got there. I think this might have been the day it started raining while we were there, so we left and went off park property to eat. If I remember correctly, which I'm not sure I do, this was also the same night a tornado touched down in Kissimmee, Florida, which is not too far from Buena Vista, Florida (Disney Property).
Friday, July 17
Park: Magic Kingdom
So, the last park we decide to visit just happens to be the oldest park on the property, and the most kid-friendly. The other parks are definitely geared more toward the older teen-adult crowd. But, Magic Kingdom still has its charm. I love Cinderella castle. It's so iconic, but seeing it in person makes it that much more magical. Anyway, we got to Magic Kingdom before they even started letting anyone in the gates. We even got to see the Park Opening Show! I don't think I've ever seen it before, but it was great.
Like in Animal Kingdom, the first thing we did when we got here was to hop on the train that circles the entire park and get off near Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain--undoubtedly the most popular rides at Magic Kingdom being that they're the fastest. So, we picked up our fast-pass tickets for Splash Mountain and rode Big Thunder Mountain first. Fast-pass is this wonderful thing where you can hold your spot in line while you do something else. It makes everything go faster.
After we finished riding the two big rides we headed in the direction of some of the other attractions, including my favorite--Pirates of the Caribbean. As soon as we got off the ride, we were able to catch the end of Capt. Jack's Pirate Tutorial. I only wish I could have seen it from the beginning. Ah well. It was still good.
We literally spent the entire day at Magic Kingdom. It rained a little then, too, but nothing compared to the day before. So, around the same time we decided to try Tony's Italian Restaurant (you know, like from Lady and the Tramp). And we were able to get in, even ahead of some people who had reservations. We were seated in view of a fountain featuring Lady and the Tramp. I treated my family to dinner.
Around ten o'clock is the fireworks show at Magic Kingdom, and let me tell you, Disney sure knows how to put on a show.
Saturday, July 18--We basically used this day to hop around the different parks and catch things that we missed, which wasn't much. We hopped over to Planet Hollywood for lunch (we had a free meal voucher compliments of the hotel). We also hung out around Downtown Disney for quite some time. We decided to try this theme restaurant called T-Rex for dinner. The only problem was there was a three-hour wait, and it was already seven o'clock. So, while we were waiting, we got more pearls. This time from a Hawaiian company called the Pearl Factory, where my mom got a flawless 9mm pearl! That is huge. I had mine set in a necklace with a little octopus on it.
Around 9:30, we went back to T-Rex to wait for our name to be called, and it wasn't long. But the wait was sure worth it. The ribs we ate there were the best I've ever eaten at a restaurant. They fell right off the bone.
Sunday, July 19--Finished up a few more things we missed, including Rock and Rollercoaster and Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios. I had also wanted to see the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular before we left (it's one of my favorite shows there), but unfortunately, about half-way through the show, the sound system pooped out, and the show was cancelled. At least I've seen it before. Hopefully it will still be around the next time I get to Disney World. Anyway, after finishing up at Hollywood Studios, we went back to Downtown Disney to finish our suvenir shopping before heading to the Gulf Coast.
And that pretty much wraps everything up. We drove down to the Gulf Coast to walk a few of the beaches there. We also ended up eating at Keegan's Seafood Grille, which was featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. I tried Conch for the first time there. It was pretty good.
Monday July 20--We stayed pretty close to the Gulf Coast and woke up to a downpour. We didn't think it was ever going to stop raining. But it did. The sun even came out, much like our first day in Florida. So, after leaving the hotel, we headed towards the beach again. And then we headed home. We stopped in Buena Vista again at a Bob Evans for a quick lunch. And then we stopped at the incredibly huge Florida Mall to visit MnM's World. After stopping at BJ's Wholesale Club to get gas, though mostly to satisfy my curiosity, we headed home, making only one more stop in Florida. And that was at a beach on the Eastern Seaboard around sunset. We didn't stay but a half hour. Then we had dinner at a Cracker Barrel and then found our last hotel of the trip near Savannah, Georgia.
Tuesday July 21-- My dad wanted to visit an airplane museum. Something 8th...? I wish I could remember what it was called...Dad? I bought a purple orchid pin at the gift shop there. My mom, sister, and I didn't go in. It was too expensive. And that was our final stop (apart from food and bathroom breaks) on our trip before arriving home just after 12:30AM.
Thanks for reading everyone. Well, that is, if you got this far. I guess I remembered more than I gave myself credit for.
Speaking of reading, I've decided to extend my summer reading until the fall equinox, which is around the 20/21 of September. I'm still trying to finish reading The Duchess, but I only have 100 pages left.
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