Day 8 - Last Time For Magic

In the park by 9 am. First ride was Splash Mountain. Guess what? We were soaked by 9:15. Jillian and I were in the front and when we took the 50 ft plunge, the water got us good. But was that enough? No, we got a fast pass so we could walk right on later.

Then we wandered over to Fantasyland and rode It's a Small World and Mickey's Philharmonic 3D show. Just how do they do that 3-D stuff?

Pirates of the Carribean showed us what a pirate's life. If Johnny Depp is in it, I'm there?

The Swiss Family Robinson's Treehouse was next as we imagined ourselves shipwrecked and living on a deserted island!


The parade at 3 was magical and so colorful.


Back to Splash Mountain and we were in the first seat again. Did we NOT learn anything the last time?

We had Disney's Meal Plan, so we could eat "free" in the park. Had a nice meal at Tomorrowland. Buzz Lightyear is a great competitive ride where you shoot a laser at targets and add up your score at the end. We also watched the character show at the castle. The colors were so beautiful and the songs were very catchy. Jillian and I went shopping to pick out a few more gifts, a t-shirt for Pappy and a mug for NanNan. Then we got the bright idea to have Mickey and Minnie sign the shirt to say thanks to Pap for bringing us on this wonderful vacation. So we got a Fast Pass and headed for the character spot. Everyone at Disney makes you feel very special. They signed the shirt and gave us hugs and we were on our way. Now could the kids (and Peg) keep quiet about the shirt.

Nope, we gave it to him in front of the castle. He put it on right away!


We ended our time in Tomorrowland riding Space Mountain and Buzz Light Year.





Yes another Disney vacation was almost over but we'll be back, I'm sure.


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Location:Orlando, Florida

Back Again to Animal Kingdom - 5th day

It was a unanimous decision that we would go back to Animal Kingdom because we got an extra hour before the "regulars" would arrive. We used that time to go on Expedition Everest twice without having to wait in line. You've got to love the inventor of the FASTPASS!











This is a footprint of the Yeti or Abominable Snowman that lives on Mt. Everest. We haven't found the real thing yet.

Cali River Rapids wasn't running today. Too bad because it was really warm - in the 80's

Since we enjoyed "It's Tough To Be A Bug" and " Birds in Flight," we went again. The Birds show was a great educational show on saving our environment so that those birds don't become extinct but it was so fun, we didn't even know we were learning!











Next we went to Dinoland for a back in time dinosaur ride and then to the playground called the "The Bone Yard." The kids had us crawling over rocks and sliding down tubes. We thought we could get Bill stuck. Not stuck, but he did get wet.











Even though this was our second time at the safari, we still enjoyed seeing the animals again. Here is a baby giraffe that we didn't see the last time.

The Tree of Life has carvings of different birds, animals and reptiles. Can you see any?






Yes, it was another full day but Jillian and Nathan still wanted to swim in our pool.






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Location:Orlando, Florida

5th Day - Epcot

Take a look at how we started our day off.





These are really good, says Nate - strawberry Mickey waffles.

Since the World Showcase didn't open until 11:00 am, we decided to ride first. Soaring was our first stop and we were able to ride this twice! While still in the Land, we went to "Circle of Life" to learn that the water we use today is the same water our ancestors and those before them used. We learned how important it is to take care of our environment so that our kids kids will have fun like we are.

Next was Test Track. This was a new one for us and a fun and FAST one.





We were able to do this one twice, too.

Innoventions was a very creative place. Nathan and Jillian created a Rollercoaster ride and then we were able to ride in a simulated version of it. We are supposed to be able to log in to it at home to show you.

Now it was time for the World Showcase, starting with Mexico where we had lunch. At Morocco, we were immersed into the Arabic culture.










At the end of the World Showcase (11 countries) in Canda, we were serenaded by a Canadian and Celtic Rock Band called Off-Kilter:




Bagpipes was the main instrument and sounded beautiful.

We still had some time before the Illuminations light show, so we decided to take Bill on the intense Mission: Space ride. This ride let's you pretend you're an astronaut as you blast into space without leaving earth!




after the light show and a beautiful sunset, we headed back to our resort - All Star Music.




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Location:Orlando, Florida

4th Day, 4th Park

Last day for Andrea and Randy, we went to Hollywood Studios. Star Tours was ride with a 3-d show. Ten another 3-D show with the Muppets. Nate really wanted to see the Indiana Jones Show, so that was next. Indiana's Stunts were something else. Lights, Motors, Action was the next extreme stunt show where we saw how big- time vehicle stunts are done for blockbuster Hollywood films.

Then it was time for Andrea and Randy to leave to get to the airport. But we were just getting started. The kids wanted to go to The Tower of Terror and Rockin' Rollercoaster.





We road these 3 times.

But all good times must end so we headed back to our Resort for dinner and ice cream and an early night so we can get up early for another shot at Animal Kingdom.

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Location:Orlando, Fla

Animal Kingdom - 3rd day

The first thing we saw as we walked into the park was the Tree of Life.


We wanted to do Expedition Everest before the park got too busy. We were able to get in the park an hour early so there weren't as many people. We all went on the ride for the first time, looking for the fierce Yeti (aka Abominable Snowman. Then after that just Nathan, Jillian, Bill and I went.m I think we were able to go 4 times!














An open-air safari vehicle took us on the Kilimanjaro Safaris where we saw lots of African Animals, elephants, lions, giraffes and rhinos.

Kali River Rapids came next. We rode a tube through the turbulent waters of the Chakranadi River. They told us that we would get wet but we may get soaked. The first time we went Bill and Peg did get soaked. The next time, Andrea was the one to really got it.

The 3D movie, It's a Bug's Life was awesome according to Nate. We had bugs flying right to each of us. How do they do that?

At the Maharajah Jungle Trek, we saw giant fruit bats, birds, and Komodo dragons and tigers.





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Location:Orlando, Florida

Making memories at Magic Kingdom

Walking up Main Street, the first thing they saw was the castle.


I was excited that Splash Mountain was open this time! YEAH! What a ride. We took a 50 ft plunge into water that went spraying all over us. Yep, you guessed it. We got wet.


Then we moved on to Space Mountain, a roller coaster ride through space. Maybe I should mention that it went fast and had lots of twists and turns.

The tune, "It's a Small World" stayed in our heads all day after the ride. Then we soared with Peter Pan. Nate and Jillian decided that they wanted their dad to build a tree house like the Swiss Family Robinson one. Randy said he'd get right on that!

The Hall of Presidents was pretty spectacular with the wax figures of the Presidents. President Obama was added since our last trip to Disney.

Nighttime was the spectacular fireworks show. The castle changed colors. It was gorgeous.





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Location:Orlando, Florida

Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy ... Who else will we see?

Nathan, Jillian, Bill and I had a very snowy ride to the Harrisburg Airport. We weren't sure if we were going to make it or not. But with Bill's expert driving, we arrived at Jim and Jane Welshan's house by 10:30. Jim was taking us to the airport and we were off. We arrived in Orlando within 3 hours and were driven to the All Star Music Resort. We met Randy and Andrea who just arrived from Hawaii and were off to Epcot.


After Spaceship Earth, we went to Soaring where we were "hang gliding over the California landscape. This was one of Peg's "must dos." Next came Mission Space, a simulated journey through space (this was a little intense! Since this was a short day for us, we didn't have any time to visit the countries but we did see the Illuminations Light Show.


We'll be back!



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Location:Orlanda, Fl