Beta Test Staycation

     The past couple days have been a blast!  My mom and my cousin both came up to Orlando for a couple nights to visit, and I got the time off work to hang out with them.  I had a "beta test stay" at Art of Animation Resort, to assist in testing the new Magic Band technology.  We were able to add a night before and after the beta stay, so we had three nights to spend together!  When I checked us into Art of Animation, I was blown away!  It's such a cool resort!

     As soon as I got off work, I rushed back to the resort.  I got to hang with my family, and we got a quick bite at the food court in the hotel.  First thing after breakfast, we headed to Hollywood Studios, where we had fast passes set up on our magic bands.  We did Toy Story Mania, Tower of Terror, and Rockin Rollercoaster all super quick,  We even had some time to swing in and see some friends before we left!

       We jetted over to Magic Kingdom for a lunch reservation at Tony's Town Square Restaurant, which is right on Main Street, and themed like the Italian Restaurant in Lady and the Tramp.  It was our first time there, and the food was absolutely delicious (I suppose it's hard to ruin eggplant!), and the decor is perfect.  I only wish I could have heard a little more Bella Notte!

      We had time to kill before the start of the Halloween Party at 7, so we stuck around to play until then.

        As it started to get dark outside, and the party began, the music changed and Halloween creeped out all over the Magic Kingdom.  We snagged our event wristbands and some treat bags and went to score some candy.

      We hit all the treat stops (treat trails!) and caught the HalloWishes fireworks.

     A trip to the kingdom just isn't complete without the princesses.  And finally, after three visits to the Halloween party, I got to meet the Hundred Acre Woods crew in their costumes! So happy!

      After a late night at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, we got up bright and early to get breakfast at Cape May Cafe at The Beach Club Resort.  The bananas for the waffles were so yummy, and the little beach outfits the characters had on were super cute.  I had never done character dining with a child in tow before, and it was sad to see them be quick to blow of the adults at the table.  We all want pictures!  Thankfully, we were able to snag everybody!

      We just hung around Orlando for the day, wiped out from all the park hours the previous day.  We did some shopping, bought some fabulous PJs, and even fed some roadside donkeys!

     We made our way back to the hotel, and got ready for dinner.  After a bit of a struggle, I was able to book us a reservation at 1900 Park Fare in The Grand Floridian.  1900 Park Fare is a character dining buffet, including Cinderella, Prince Charming, the stepsisters, and the evil stepmother.

 

 

 
 

     Dinner was wonderful, and afterwards, we went back to our hotel, and into some particularly snuggly pjs.

     This morning, when they both had to leave, and I had to go into work, was pretty sad.  I hate goodbyes!

     That being said, I'm already planning their next trip up, I love when my family is here, and keep looking forward to more visitors!

It's not goodbye, it's see ya real soon!

xoxo

Hallo, Glücklich Oktoberfest!

     Oktoberfest has officially arrived at DCP housing!  Tonight, we had a housing event that was totally Oktoberfest themed!  Alyssa and I went with our friend Will.  There was a DJ, dancing, German food, Snow White and her prince, and Goofy, Daisy, Minnie, and Mickey in traditional German outfits.  The characters in lederhosen and dirndls were definitely my favorite part!

Auf Wiedersehen!

xoxo

"To all that come to this happy place: welcome."

     Last week, while on vacation with my Mom, we paid a visit to Disneyland.  I was so excited to see where the magic (that I'll soon be a part of!) all began.  While getting ready in the morning, I read on facebook, that it was the 58th anniversary of Disneyland opening day!  It was total coincidence that we would get to be there for such a special occasion, and really upped my excitement.
     We gave our tickets, and walked through the gate.  As we turned onto main street, and the castle came into view, I donned my ears, and let the Disney magic take over.  Right as we got on to Main Street, Mickey walked out!  We were just standing there, and wound up second in line to meet The Mouse himself, we'd barely been there 10 minutes!  After snagging our photo op,  we walked right into Pluto walking out, second in line again!  After some hugs, photos, and laughs about our amazing luck, Goofy showed up!  First in line this time!

 (click photos to enlarge)

 

 
    As we eventually proceeded down the walkway, it had become pretty clear that my mom had (however temporarily she may claim!) had been bitten by the Disney bug.  She wanted her own pair of ears, after saying over and over prior to the trip, that she wouldn't be wearing them!  It's impossible to walk down Main Street, towards the castle, with Minnie ears on your head, and not have a big smile, physically impossible!

 

     Disneyland is much smaller than Disneyworld.  So, even though we only had one day, and the crowds were large, we were still able to see all of the park and participate in a majority of the attractions.  
     We ate Disney food.  We watched Disney shows.  We rode Disney rides.  We may or may not have taken 3 spins in giant teacups.  We (I) defeated the Evil Emperor Zurg.  

 

 

 

 

 

     The day was beyond amazing, and before we knew it, it was dark, and the fireworks were going to start.  We grabbed some ice cream, and a primo spot back on Main Street.
     As the lights dimmed, and the music swelled, I suddenly felt very overwhelmed.  Being where it all began, where one man's dream had turned into all of this magic, a place I had only ever read about, was very surreal.  Standing there, surrounded by thousands, in the happiest place on earth watching the fireworks show, I was so moved, that I began to cry.  I cried out of excitement for my upcoming adventure, out of joy, and the magnitude of what I about to be involved in.  It really hit me in that moment how very lucky I am.

    
     I couldn't have asked for a better day with my Mama.  It was truly a special day, and one I'll never forget.  I'm now more excited than ever to get up to Disney World, and to play like this every day!
    With only 19 days until check in, time is really flying by.  I have so much to do still, and haven't packed a single thing.  I really need to get moving, so stressful!

We're in the home stretch here!

xoxo