the much anticipated (and needed) return home.
I’d be lying if I said this is going to be a short telling. There is no way I could cram the events of this trip in a nut shell. The predictions I made for myself all ended up coming to be and then some. For the first time in a long time I had found happiness again. I was emotional and I am more sad now that I’m home.
But here it goes.
It was early Monday morning (July 9th) and I hadn’t slept for longer than two minutes at a time. I was wide awake and ready to just get there. The flight was quick and painless. My best friend Xanax and I took a little nap and happily slept the majority of the time spent in the air. Flying has always given me anxiety for as long as I can remember. With the Magical Express taking care of our luggage we only had our carry ons to deal with and it made arriving to our hotel much easier. Our room wasn’t ready right away so we took the time to head over to Disney University to get Liz’s new cast member I.D. We also spent some time in Downtown Disney and ate at the best gourmet sandwich shop ever Earl of Sandwich. I went to visit my old store. It was an erie feeling walking through those doors again and seeing how much has changed and what remained the same.
There was a mix up with our hotel (that was fun) but we were finally able to get to our room and unpack our luggage that was waiting for us. After traveling all day and walking around we took a well deserved nap and headed over to the Polynesian Resort for some Magic Kingdom fireworks. It was there that I was reunited with my former college program roommate Sam. Seeing her again was a wonderful feeling and it was great to catch up and share memories as adults over some drinks.
The following day was spent relaxing at the newest Disney resort the Art of Animation. While it’s not fully completed some parts of the resort are finished and already hosting guests. The pools we visited are absolutely adorable and so detailed. I was reunited with my Chinese roommate Blair for the first time in two and a half years. I was an emotional wreck to say the least. Our plans were altered when the rain hit but we were able to enjoy some sun and lunch at the Yacht and Beach club’s Beaches N’ Cream. When the night fell I took Liz and Blair to Independent Bar for their first I-Bar experience. Nothing has changed there and it was a night just like any other.
Wednesday, our first day in the parks and Liz’s 22nd birthday. I hope you all got your free slurpees! :) Get it, 7-11! We spent the day walking around Epcot taking in the world showcase. We had reservations at the Japan restaurant Teppan Edo and I enjoyed some delicious sushi. It rained off and on so walking around wasn’t as enjoyable as we hoped but we did get to see all of the countries and enjoy some of our favorite attractions.
Thursday, Hollywood Studios. My absolute favorite park in all the theme parks. We were able to enjoy all our favorite attractions, The Great Movie Ride, The Backlot Tour (in which we were extras), Star Tours, Rock N’ Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, and Toy Story Mania. Because Liz’s back was hurting I had to enjoy Fantasmic solo but I was so happy to see my favorite show again. Again, I cried.
Magic Kingdom Friday. We spent some time during the morning meeting princesses, training to be pirates, chatting up the mayor of Main Street, and meeting my childhood idol (Ariel). We headed back to the room for a comfy wardrobe change and headed back to Epcot for some Chinese cuisine, oh and tequila in Mexico. Ohhhh tequila. After sleeping off the tequila shots we headed back to Magic Kingdom for extra magic hours. From 11pm-2am we were able to walk on every ride with hardly any wait.
Saturday is the day for relaxing in Disney. We kept it low key. Laid out by our hotel pool, shopped Downtown Disney and enjoyed dinner at T-Rex.
Sunday, we would of went to Animal Kingdom but it started to rain monsoon as we were walking out the door. So we spent the day pigging out on snacks and watching Beetlejuice on cable.
Monday. The end. Blair came to the hotel and she and I spent the day at Animal Kingdom. Liz being vacationed out spent her day relaxing at the hotel. I still can’t ride Dinosaur without screaming bloody murder. After lunch and a safari we made it to the car before another monsoon. Blair hung out with us in our hotel lobby before we boarded the Magical Express to the airport. It was harder to say goodbye to her than it was to see her again. I was an emotional wreck during half of our trip to the airport.
Then we learned our flight was delayed and I went from being sad to aggravated.
Now we’re home. Back to normal, reality. I think Liz had the best birthday ever being sung to three times by entire restaurants and enjoying free desserts and birthday treats. Enjoyed Disney without spending an entire life savings, thank god for cast member discounts and that garage sale I had back in the day. I didn’t come home broke! I’d rather still be there. But I’m glad to be home. I missed my family and my cats. I missed my Apple family and a paycheck.
Future plans are developing more and more. It’s getting closer. I can feel it.
