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Showing posts with label Magic Kingdom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Magic Kingdom. Show all posts

April 5, 2013

Discovering Disney as an Adult

I begged them to leave me on Main Street.


Alas, I am no longer in Orlando, but in the bitter cold hands of the community of Cambridge. Far out of the reach of Cotton Candy, musical sound tracks and deliciously fun roller coasters. I am scheming about HOW I can get back to the magical land of The Magic Kingdom.

I had never been to Disney World before this trip. I am twenty-five years old. Let me tell you why it is totally worth doing Disney as an Adult:

1. The discovery is oh so magical.
You don't have to be a child to become totally enchanted by mystical characters, a princess castle and royal flags waving high in the winds. It is such a breathtaking entry. The music is happy. The ticket takers greet you by saying, "Have a magical day!" And you know what? They really mean it. You can tell.

2. You realize what a genius strange-o that Walt Disney truly was.
Let me tell you the truth: Walt Disney was a genius. A bonafide genius. If you knew a man who dreamed of bringing cartoons to life, building a princess castle in America and preserving his undead body in ice (okay that one might just be a widely distributed, but highly scandalous, rumor), you would probably think he were crazy. And Disney was dreaming this big seventy years ago! This guy was a true radical. Talk about wanting to change the world. He actually did it. And his legacy continues to bring hope and joy to millions of people every year. I mean, who does that?

3. You notice the immaculate attention-to-detail and you can appreciate it.
The shrubs are perfectly manicured. There is nary a piece of trash on the ground. Fresh flowers are planted each morning. The air smells like sweetly popped kettle corn. The ride workers are good-hearted people (unlike the scary folks you tend to encounter at carnivals) and they are wearing adorable pin-striped uniforms. Everything is PERFECT. It's like the park aims for something higher than excellence and whatever that standard is called, it is certainly achieved. As an adult, you can really appreciate the level of time, effort and attention to detail that is considered. I've never seen anything like it.

 // Prince Charming Regal Carrosel (I didn't misspell that, it's really "Carrosel!"//
 // Family Time // Bro Time // Walt Disney World Railroad // Reebok action //


// Sisters reunited! Isn't she just lovely? //

// More "Carrosel-ing" // Tomorrowland Speedway //
 // Dumbo the Flying Elephant //

 // Doorway to Cinderella's Royal Castle // Gaston's Tavern //

// Aloha Isle Frozen Dole Pineapple Whip, by the graciously strong (and incredibly perfect!) suggestion of Alyson - Thank you, friend! My favorite treat ever!! //


Experiencing Disney with friends, family, and (of course) my own Prince Charming, made the experience so fun and magical. Prancing through the newly-updated Fantasyland with my sweet 3-year old nephew Ollie was so special and memorable. Although his favorite part of the day was waiting for one of the rides (he got to play on a stationary truck while we wanted in line for Dumbo's flight), he held up for the entire 10-hour day without a nap! He was amazing. Because we all definitely wanted naps. My favorite part? Impossible to tell. I loved the Swiss Family Treehouse, the Pirates of the Carribbean, the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor and of course, the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. I think I need to conduct a bit more market research before coming to such a strong conclusion. Fancy a trip down to Disney, anyone?

Tell me about your Disney experiences!



April 1, 2013

Spring Break 2013

I know what you're thinking. We are FAR too old for Spring Break. I would have to agree with you. But I don't really care. My husband was granted a week off from school, so we high-tailed our tushies to the Boston-Logan Airport as fast as humanly possible and got the heck out of this icy, overcast haven of darkness.



We went to see my soulmate: My serene, angelic, petite and patient sister Kara. Her Ralph-Lauren model lookalike son Ollie. Her "my-brother-from-anotha-motha" hubby Brad. These are my people. My role models. My happy place. So although it was rainy and overcast for the majority of the trip (kiss that dreamed-of tan goodbye), I had the BEST time with them. We lounged, read Dr. Suess books, went for jogs and bike rides on the beach and talked a ton.

The amazing thing about family is that the relationships are always enriching, growing deeper and more interesting with time. I've known my brother-in-law Brad since he started dating my sis almost 10 years ago. Ten years! It's been really fun to welcome a brother into our all-girls family. I think he has such a great brain. He thinks out of the box. He's not afraid to try new things. He is truly the best and I admire him so much.

Map.
This Spring Break included two days in Orlando (we stayed at Brad's aunt's house) where we visited the Magic Kingdom at Disney World! Then we drove over to St. Augustine and spent two days at Brad and Kara's beach house there. The pictures speak for themselves. It was divine.

Mmm.
We ate fantastically well, especially at Nonna's and Cafe Tu Tu Tango, but my favorite tasty moment of the trip was cooking at the house. The kitchen at Brad's aunt's house is so HUGE and beautiful and stocked with all the dreamy kitchen tools... ah. It was a beautiful moment for me, personally. I love to cook so much and it was a mega treat to have the space and the utensils to make a simple meal. I like to dream that one day I will have a magnificent kitchen to experiment to my heart's foodie desires.

Moment.
There were so many dreamy moments on this trip. Spending time with my precious nephew tops the list. He learned that I love to hear him say, "I love you", so he started saying it to me like ten times a day. It sounded like, "I love you!" and ughhh, my heart just melted. That little charmer. He's going to be such a heart breaker. Did I mention he's 3?


// Downtown St. Augustine //

// Oh so magical Magic Kingdom. Don't worry, I have more pics to share. //



// My view from the hot tub, overlooking the pool. Yes oh yes. // He reads the paper ON VACATION. Such a student. //



// Biking outdoors and berries indoors //

 // Leapin' leprechaun bros // Blow wind blow // Sleeping on the plane ride home //

This trip was refreshing to my heart. Somehow my family (and the ocean!) always does that. Stevie and I have exactly 8 weeks left here in Cambridge, and this trip was the perfect way to gear up for the end of our time here. Now we are just ready for Spring to be officially sprung here in New England!