Saying Goodbye is Hard to Do

Monday 2.24.14

After such an epic day I was excited for something a little more low-key. I knew today was going to be tough.

I started off my day by sitting by the pool with Karen. It was so amazing to sit in the Happiest Place in the World and have a heart to heart with someone you love! Yes, Karen, I love you!

Afterwards I got back to the hotel and changed quick to meet Kristy and Anne for our version of the Last Supper. Kristy, my perfect twin, made reservations again at a place I had never tried! I love when she does this by the way haha

As we were checking in I had to take a photo of just about everything I saw. This spot to me was like a little hidden gem!

Of course a Cast Member talked me in to being IN the next photo of it!

We took a photo together <3 I still can't believe how lucky I am to have found not one, but two sisters on this vacation. <3

The decor inside just makes your jaw drop and your head tilt back. Disney did a good job with this one. It takes a lot to impress me now on property and I was truthfully blown away by the ambiance of the Tusker House.

We were seated and almost immediately Kristy and I needed to eat, we were starving! The food is set up similar to a marketplace, so inviting. I wish I had taken photos of each food station. Next time.

They had everything you could imagine here AND MORE. I couldn't NOT get biscuits and gravy. I mean it was staring at me.

They had Jasmine rice, blintz's, tatter tots, scrambled eggs, home fried potatoes, coffee cake. It was a carb heaven!

All the characters were walking around in their best safari gear. Daisy stopped by to say hi. Check out those lashes, girl!

Oh Donald!

Of course Goofy was there too!

And you can't have a party without the Main Mouse, Mickey!

Sadly, yet again I got stuffed very fast.

After we were done with breakfast we decided to go to MGM. Kristy and Anne had to make the Magical Express by like 2.30pm I think and we wanted to ride Tower of Terror before having to go back to Pop.

Kristy, my fabulous vacation Fast Pass Planner, told us we had a little time before we were dropped in a service elevator so we walked around Pixar Studios.

Yup...Saw another Green Army Man. And yes I did push my way in front of a child. I just needed a quick photo and they were going to ask for an autograph. It wasn't my proudest moment but it needed to be done.

And what is a trip down the Streets of America without Singing in the Rain?!

After our ride on Tower of Terror, which I laughed the whole way through. We got 'thirsty'.

Lucky for Kristy and Anne, I knew JUST the place!

THE HOLLYWOOD BROWN DERBY LOUNGE!

Citizens Take Flight- Margarita Flight: Mango, Classic, Pomegrante.

And some desserts they now offer at 3 for $9.. (I should have just gotten a ginormous slice of grapefruit cake)

And a girl can't say no to a Champage Flight. The red one in the middle was the yummiest.

I didn't want the day to end. We were having so much fun.

Sadly the girls needed to get back to the hotel. We got on a bus back to Pop. When we arrived at the Magical Express Bus Stop I didn't want to prolong the sadness too much. I gave them both a hug a hurried away. P.S. I'm really bad with goodbyes. 

I stopped into the shop off the lobby and walked around to clear my head. I looked at my phone 2.30pm... TWO THIRTY PM! I realized my parents would be taking Ryan to the recruiter at that very time! I quickly called him and was incredibly relieved I was able to get to talk to him. I wished him good luck, told him I loved him and was very proud of him and hung up.....and then I cried. By the candy. I felt a little silly but then again...Ryan has never 'gone away'. He and I both stayed close for college and I kinda got used to seeing him at my parents all the time.

I immediately had an idea for a Graduation gift for him. And off I went with a purpose.

I changed out of my dress and got into leggings and a tee and figured now would be a better time than any to try out the Gladsoles I got. I'm not going to talk about them too much as I want to do a separate post about them. They are that awesome, trust me.

I made fast pass reservations for the princesses and boarded a bus to the Magic Kingdom.

My first stop was Ariel.... let's just cut right to the chase. I sobbed. Like SOBBED on her shoulder. I didn't anticipate having everything hit me in her Grotto but hey, I guess it needed to happen. She was amazing when I told her I Ryan was leaving for the Army and said he was a brave man and a ton of nice stuff. She will forever hold a spot in my heart. I am sorry about the water works though Ariel.

Then it was over to Cinderella and .....welp, not Aurora, must have been taking a nap or something.

Rapunzel was great! She told me my hair was awesome and made sure She was on one side with hers and I was on one side with mine. She said we had to show it off haha. It sure helped me keep it together while I was with her.

Although I began to keep my composure much better thoughout the rest of the day I found myself randomly crying/tearing up when I saw something that reminded me of him. Trust me, I know he's going to be okay and he's in Boot Camp/Basic Training its just this kind of change is a HUGE change and I'm having a little trouble working through it.

This Snow White was much more pleasant and less weird than the last one I met.

Gaston. Doucher. Bottom Line.

I wanted to stop for Merida but the line was a joke.

After realizing that the monorails were down AGAIN I waited almost 60 minutes for a boat to the Poly. I think the wait was worth it for this view though.

When I got there I made friends with a soldier on temporary leave with his family. I helped them find the lobby and thanked him for his service. I headed up to the Kona Cafe to get some coffee for my parents and charged my sadly dying phone.

Once the coffee was done I realized since I had asked my friends to raise a glass for Ryan I needed to as well.

I made my way to the Barefoot Pool Bar and grabbed a margarita and an outlet.

Na Zdrowie Baby Ryan!

Sammy came by a little later to pick me up for dinner. I was hitting another place I had never gone before. The Maya Grill at Coronado Springs.

We didn't need to wait very long for a table at all.

Our waiter kept calling us princesses all night. I have to admit I enjoyed it.

The food was amazing! Enchiladas Suizas

Fried Ice Cream and Churritos for dessert. mm mm mmm

We were both stuffed and tired. 

Mission: 4 Parks, 1 Day

After my mini-sleepcoma I woke up ready to take advantage of my first full day in Disney. Boy oh boy was it cold though. I believe my phone said 39 degrees.... burrr. I put on my scarf and used my Rapunzel locks as a shield from the cold. I knew I needed to hydrate but I wanted to explore.

I have never stayed at All Start Sports before and thought I'd take my time sightseeing even if it was freezing for Florida.

I love how family oriented All Start Sports is. Even with the weather there were constantly families outside playing on the 'turf'.

After short walk around I couldn't stand the cold and decided to hit Animal Kingdom first. It is one of the hidden gems of WDW I think. Even though it is a park, I don't believe it always gets the credit it deserves. Plus I figured it's usually a good 10 degrees warmer there anyway.

I could not have been happier the tree out front was still up! I hadn't really paid attention to it in November when I was running past it for the Jingle Jungle 5k. It has to be my favorite tree on Disney property.

My favorite ornament as usual is the lion.

I was looking for my Margarita hut, and when I realized it was closed because of the weather I hightailed it to EPCOT. I knew 11am was close and I'd be able to have a delicious Mexican meal when the pavilions opened.

If you have never seen what I'd like to call the 'opening ceremonies' of the pavilions you HAVE TO make a point to try. In all my years going to EPCOT I had no idea this was a daily occurrence. 

I couldn't function much longer without food so after a quick walk around the Plaza de los Amigos I went outside in the cold and stopped by La Cantina de San Angel. I got the chicken tacos and as you can see, I have a mild obsession with the very spicy chipotle salsa. My meal was cold very fast but I enjoyed it so much. I tried sitting in the sun but lets be real. 39 degrees...is well...39 degrees.

Now that I had a bit of liquid heat and a belly full of food I attempted to tackle World Showcase thinking my best option would be to stop in every single building possible.

These lovely lamps in China provided me with a bit of finger rewarming. I bet I looked a little odd but I couldn't help it.

Next stop was Germany! I had to follow my nose to the Karamell-Kuche. The smells are intoxicating. Everything looked so delicious I couldn't decide. That was until I noticed the Caramel Corn.

I enjoyed my snack as I walked through France...

Eventually making my way to the International Gateway I hopped on a Boat to the Boardwalk. I had yet to officially make it to the NEW IMPROVED Boardwalk Bakery.

LORDY LORDY! Look at all these goodies! 

I settled on a delicious Strawberry Cupcake and a hummus cup.

No stop at the Boardwalk is complete without visiting Joe's Marvelous Margaritas...let me tell you, they ARE marvelous.

The warmth from Mexico had worn off and I needed something that would help me get to the Swan and Dolphin Boat launch. Mmm mmm mmm did it work.

I may or may not have gotten side tracked as I had to send a couple photos to loved ones haha

Finally I had made it to MGM and again was so pumped to see another Christmas tree still up!

My first stop was to go to the Brown Derby Lounge...well I realized with the cold I wouldn't be sitting outside and was sat inside in an awkwardly small space with a waitress who was less stellar than my previous one. I got my margarita flight and relaxed.

Instead of wasting time ordering food at the Brown Derby, it was packed by the way, I hopped on a bus to the Magic Kingdom and thus sealing the deal. 4 parks. 1 day. When I text'd my parents they even said they didn't think they had ever done that before. Although my phone was beginning to die I was starving. This was my third Christmas Tree sighting of the day <3.

I was hoping Minnie would be good to me as I was running the Inaugural 10k.

Oh Pacos Bill. I love you and your pulled pork sandwich.

Hello Lover...

By now my feet were killing me and my phone had maybe 10% battery left. I decided to go back to the AS Sports and relax until Sammy got back from work. I maybe feel asleep. I was still exhausted from my full airport day. 

It had been probably 3 or 4 years since I've eaten at Olivia's at Old Key West. I was looking forward to a low key quiet meal and that was exactly what Sammy and I got. It was so much fun, our waiter was a little quirky which gave us a good laugh.

I decided on a healthier meal. Pan seared chicken breast, asparagus and dirty rice. DELICIOUS. I was proud of myself and didn't end up feeling sick afterwards. I love when I make good choices.

Then of course....when in Key West, there is only one option for desert. Key Lime Pie. This happens to be my favorite on property or well anywhere...

After the meal we went back to our room and relaxed. The Expo was the next day and I needed all the energy I could get.