Save the Best for Last

My last day in Disney I woke up around 10am. I ended up being really frustrated for wasting part of the day but I know my body needed sleep. By the time I made it to EPCOT the pavilions were open. I stopped by Mexico to enjoy the delicious nachos and of course a margarita as well.

I had made a Fast Pass for EPCOT's Character Spot to continue my Graduation gift for Ryan.

I got to visit with Mickey...

 And Goofy...

And of course Minnie!

As I made my way back to Mexico and another margarita I saw Donald! The line was maybe 5 people deep so I hopped on in.

As I was making my way around the world I noticed the line for Mulan was 3 people deep and there was still a 15 minute wait...pfft what am I doing that I can't wait 15 minutes? I am so happy I did. First off, Mulan is GORGEOUS. SERIOUS woman crush on her. Second, when I told her about Ryan she asked if he would help her defend China once he was done with Basic Combat Training. <3

I had to stop at the American Adventure. It sure means something entirely different to me now. Hooah!

As I passed through Japan I noticed a little Zen Garden.... I think that's what I need in my life. A Zen Garden. Funny how you never notice the little things right in front of you, until you have time.

I began getting hungry and decided that there would never be a better time to stop by the Spice Road Table.

I got incredibly lucky and snagged a table along the water outside.

I'll leave the indepth review for a Taste Bud Tuesday but I will definitely be returning if that give you any indication of my love for this new spot.

I ended up seeing Aurora in France and took advantage of the fact that she wasn't taking a nap.

I took full advantage of my freedom on this day and spent however much time I thought I needed. I ended up having my phone make it to 1% battery when I hit the United Kingdom. I walked into Rose and Crown and saw an outlet in between the two bathrooms.. So I took a seat and charged my phone.

As I excited Epcot I thought about where I needed to go. I had 2 more Quick Service meals left and thought making it to Earl of Sandwich would be the best use of my time..well...Disney Transportation thought otherwise. I hopped on a bus to Port Orleans and was going to take a boat to Downtown Disney.

I've never been to Port Orleans French Quarter. I've stayed at Riverside but this was a whole new adventure to be had.

I immediately fell in love with Port Orleans and will make this another stop on my Disney Home Away From Home.

It took almost 45 minutes to get a boat to DTD but once I did it was such a beautiful ride. I met two ladies on vacation, sisters who just flew in that day. They were triathletes and easily in their 60's. Power to them. They were adorable.

Since the new boat dock is near Paradiso 37 I figured a margarita was in order.

I enjoyed the sights and sounds as I wandered towards Earl of Sandwich. I quickly ordered and headed for the buses. I needed to meet Sammy back at the room for the "Last Supper".

When I got back to the room Sammy was less than 5 minutes behind me. I put my sandwiches in the fridge and we got in the car to head to the Captain's Grille. I had initially planned on spending the rest of the night at one of the parks.

I wasn't as impressed with this meal as meals past at the Captain's Grille. The chicken was good but obviously very small and there was a pathetic amount of veggies to accompany it.

The dessert however blew me away. I got the s'more tart I believe it is called. So tasty and delicious. The perfect end to my vacation.

All in all I have to say this was one of the most amazing trips I have ever had to Walt Disney World. I met amazing people and formed new friendships that I think will withstand the test of time. I ate at new restaurants and tried new things. And I had a phenomenal race weekend pushing limits I didn't know I could push.

I cannot wait for next year.

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.