I know this will be a giant dump of pictures. But I told Ben the other day that our day together in Disney (Yes. ONE day. Wait until you see what we accomplish in a day 😳😂) was my top three days of my entire life. I have a photography problem and also a digital hoarding problem. So this is both a storytelling mission, archival job and a dump to preserve these shots.
***
Anyone who knows me in real life has heard this story tooooo many times. But here, goes: Ben and I were invited to a wedding in Florida. We were excited to go celebrate this couple and figured we could stay with Ben's brother who lives in St. Petersburg, Florida. It was a perfect arrangement and excuse to get away together.
Then Ben blew my mind. He said, "should we go to Disney for a day?"
{insert head exploding emoji}
Ben doesn't love Disney like I do. He enjoys it and does it because Mimi and I do. THIS WAS SO UNEXPECTED! And I had to pinch myself.
The last time that Ben and I were at Disney by ourselves we were months married, broke as a joke and got tickets by listening to a timeshare presentation. I could not wait to just be with my best friend and no kids in tow.
Early am flight
The airport of my childhood. I'll never forget when I first landed here as a 9 year old flying solo to visit Becca and J Roy and Nikolette...when I first met the mouse of my dreams. So much nostalgia.
The differences of Ben and I's personalities come out often. Ben: destination. Me: journey. As proved by me stopping at airport gift shops (even though we had a ton in our future ;) HOWEVER, we weren't going to Universal, so I was able to pick up some Harry Potter things (and also troubleshoot a school problem for my wonderful substitute at home).
So fun to see Halloween merch. Most of our Disney visits have been in October. It's perfection.
Speaking of merchandise: this carpet has it's own following on social media:
(Disney adults are real).
Our first time staying at Port Orleans. I'd been there to deliver a fun surprise to my Disney buddy and her hubby when we were both at the parks at the same time last summer. They have GLUTEN FREE BEIGNETS! I also loved the charming boat you can take to Disney Springs right across the lake.
I've given up trying to explain, rationalize or apologize for my Disney love. It's just in my heart and it makes me indescribably happy. Just stepping foot on property makes me feel like I'm home.
Disney is the one place where it's okay to be unapologetically extra. Nothing is too much or too whimsical or optional. The way that cast members create magic is so special. I truly think I could make my living (or retirement) here.
Ben and I grabbed some gumbo and jambalaya for lunch while we grabbed our magic bands that had been delivered to the hotel.
After a day of teaching, a night of taking Bode to his first concert AND a 3 am wake up call, a nap was in order. A princess nap to be exact. (That means you sleep on the softest bed, with the most pillows and wake up to warm gf beignets and a coffee). Tell me what's better than this?
Off to dinner at Disney Springs via a boat ride by the Disney golf course (Ben's future job in retirement).
A Disney girl in her elment:
You know when things are just sprinkled with pixie dust? We were able to be seated outside near the water for our sweet dinner for two.
I had to take my champs pic to send to my buddy Victoria too.
(I've probably photographed a version of this raincoat several times over several years. Hopefully someday it will come home with me)
This trip represented so much growth in Ben and I. I shopped while he waited but then I didn't frenetically continue throughout the whole trip. And I let logic steer me more than usual and went on every thrill ride. It was a beautiful picture of the story of us.
After procuring gluten free red velvet sprinkles cupcakes we got on our boat to go home. It was delightful and enchanting at night.
Okay, not our room (but goals for the next time we stay).
Up early to rope drop as one does. Mickey Shorts seemed the only appropriate show to have on in the background.
I'll celebrate anything. Good thing I was in just the right place with company that feels the same.
Obviously everything without two other personalities in the mix made everything easier. It was also such a light crowd (compared to last June of course). I kept waiting for Magic Kingdom to fill up with craziness as the day went on, but it never did. Perfection.
Thanks to Victoria for these awesome ears that went with my dress!
We went straight to the Dwarves Mine Train:
...and reminisced about when I took little Bode on this and traumatized him.
Then it was off to TRON! First time! (We've watched the progression of this ride for years. I also never thought in all of those years that I'd EVER ride it). But with only two grownups, one with a taste for thrill and another with a taste to do EVERYTHING, we did Tron (and all of the other rides too).
(It was terrifying. Ben loved it. I survived).
Nothing like a sweet, classic ride to soothe my soul:
Then this spooky beauty next:
My absolute favorite picture of us:
(One of my favorite part of being at the parks with just Ben was just taking time to sit and soak it all in. It was here when I was marveling that the crowds hadn't hit yet...apparently according to Victoria, any day that Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party happens that night means a light day).
(I hope that someday I don't just have to cram all of the fun into one day. I'm manifesting Annual Passes in my future).
After a sugary snack and an iced coffee on main street (Disney Starbucks is the best Starbucks), we loaded up for a chill monorail ride to Epcot.
My heart leaped when I saw this ol' girl.
(Another example of Disney cast members being able to go above and beyond. A man noticed us trying to take selfie with the Spaceship Earth. He said "I have a better view for you!" and then got us into a gate to take a picture. See? I want going above and beyond to make magic to be my job description).
This girl is my Spaceship Earth icon.
Then it was off to Cosmic Rewind. I was really excited for Ben to try it (and I was less excited to stumble off at the end...popping dramamine commenced).
He loved it. We got the Flock of Seagulls song (Mimi and I's was better: Blondie).
***
Epcot eating was on the agenda. Chilled champagne is the best remedy for motion sickness. Ben and split up to get food and I texted him to meet me in this garden. This is why Epcot is my favorite.
(When you feel like death but you're still committed to health).
Food and Wine Festival fulfilled all of my fantasies.
***
After eating and drinking (there's so much more I wanted to do of course) we had the audacity to do ONE.MORE.PARK. To Hollywood Studios we went.
Skyliner of course. My favorite form of transportation
The last time I rode Tower of Terror I was in high school. Considering our kids never wanted to do this (and at times life was scary enough; I didn't need more fear) I never really wanted to ride this ride.
Today was the day of yes. And doing it all. So I did it.
{I have a story about a little girl who was scared in line, but that's another blog}
I actually LOVED this ride. I think it's one of my tops. I was so proud of myself that I bought ears to mark the ocassion.
This ride was just around the corner. I had never been on Rockin' Rollercoaster. But I wanted to leave no ride, untried. We added it to our cue for Lightning Lane and then went to Slinky (my top favorite) to come back before close.
After a giant wait for Slinky Dog (and more school children friends) we did the thing!
We did so much. I never thought Ben would be my Disney partner in crime. We had a freaking blast. That was ONE DAY. I'm a maximizer at my core (sometimes to my detriment). But in this situation, it worked to fit in a lot of fun into our stay. Without kids who needed to nap or had different ideas, it just worked! Love you kids, but this was really fun.
We left with all the steps recorded (just in time for my work competition).
(This is just a dramatic representation)
But really...
BEFORE/AFTER
(13 hours later)
It's really hard to leave a place you love. I want this to be my zip code.
Long live all the magic we made....
