Disney World Vacation

For my 31st Birthday Eric and I went to sunny florida for a week and went to Disney World! We were so excited for some fun in the florida sun...to get warm for a while...someone forgot to tell them! We happen to go during the coldest week in almost a decade! We are talking about 30's & 40's! We did have two days of 60's! So what if I didnt get to wear my new cute swim suit..we still had lots of fun! It was the honeymoon we never had!

Day One- Travel, travel, travel!

The first day of our six day trip was literally spent traveling. We left Boise at 8:00 am, flew to St. Paul, MN had a layover, flew to Detroit, MI, had a layover and finally got to Orlando at 12:30 am on my birthday! Note to self..never fly cross country using frequent flyer miles again!

Day Two- Animal Kingdom!

On my birthday we woke upat 8:30 after getting to bed about 3:00am and went to the amazing Animal Kingdom! Right now Disney has a promotion that if you go on your birthday you get in free....if you have your ticket already (which we did) you get a $75 gift card! (great for getting souveniers for the kids you left behind!) You also get a big button that announces to the world that it is your birthday! Believe me everyone is trained to watch for these buttons and you will get a happy birthday wish from everyone! It is great!

In Africa everything looks authentic and they have so many animals in such a "natural" environment! The animal safari in is really neat...you are in a kindof jeep driving in a "wildlife reserve" the animals are right there in front of you!

When you go to Asia you have to go on Mount Everest! It is sooo fun! It was well worth the hour wait! I have to say Disney knows how to do lines! While waiting you walk through a "temple" where you can throw money at idols, ( as if you aren't leaving enough money at Disney!) a Yetti museum and lots of beautiful bamboo!

After the park was closed we had dinner reservations at Bomas, which is in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. It is an African inspired buffet. We tried lots of new foods...loved the carrot / ginger soup..Yummy! The shredded watermelon salad..yuck! But the desert bar...O' my gosh! DELICIOUS! They also gave me a great birthday plate with yummy chocolate covered cake! The atmosphere was fun, the food was ok...but at $70 for two people this is a glorified chuck o'ramma!

Day Three- The Magic Kingdom!

All I can say is about when you walk through the gates of the Magic kingdom is...its Magical! You walk into mainstreet USA where they have all this great music playing, you look past main street and see Cinderella's castle gleaming in the sun! I seriously wanted to cry I was so happy and I really did feel like a kid again! We had a great day and finished it up with the SpectroMagic Parade and the "wishes" fireworks display!

Day Four- Epcot!

So on Tues. we went to Epcot. It was 40 degrees when we got there, we were wearing long sleeves, jackets, and gloves! First we went on the "spaceship Earth" (its the golf ball) which was cool. Then we went to get our fast pass for test track and then got in line for Mission Space. Now on Mission Space it simmulates what astronauts go through (g-force!) They have 2 ride options: Orange team or Red team, the orange team is the advanced training (and the shorter line) Being big tough thirty somethings we choose orange team. we didnt think anything about all of the warnings about motion sickness we took our dramamine while waiting ( we are getting old and these were like our daily vitamins!) Long story short...I felt great after I threw up...Eric not so much! We had to leave the park for the day!

After sleeping for a few hours Eric was able to get out of bed and we went shopping....for coats! After buying our new coats we went back to Epcot, walked around the World Shocase and ended our night in Paris eating chocolate eclaires, sipping hot chocolate while we watched IllumiNations! How romantic!

Day Five- Epcot....take 2!

We did Epcot again on Wed...we missed a lot on Tues. The World showcase in Epcot is really amazing! When you walk through the different counrties you actually feel like you are there! the buildings and landscaping are beautiful! While we were in Mexico enjoying a Churro this stupid bird came and took the whole thing right out of my hand!

The land and sea exibits are really cool. In Land you can take a ride through the greenhouses. They are doing some amazing things..like a 9 lbs lemon...growing pumpkins, tomatoes, peppers from trees, soil free gardening. It was really interesting...Eric loved it! The highlight of the land exhibit is Soaring!....What an experience! I dont know how they do it (I would love to though) You fly over california...it feels like you are flying....you smell what you are seeing....Its amazing!

Day Seven- Hollywood Studios!

Our last park was Hollywood studios which was Eric's favorite! This has lots of fun rides like Star tours, Aerosmith Rockin Roller Coaster, Beauty and the Beast show, and of coarse the Tower of Terror! It was soooo fun! We had dinner at the Sci-fi Drive in which is really fun. You are "parked" in a convertable car in what looks like a drive in theater. They play old cartoons, news reels, and previews for old sci-fi movies. The food was really good and not to badly priced (for Disney food). We capped off our night and our Disney experience with the Fantasmic! It was a wonderful way to end our trip....it was Magical!

Day Eight- More Travel!

We were able to hit the flee market before leaving town and get some more gifts for the kids! ( who us feel guilty?) Then it was off to the airport...but first get gas in the rental right? We went to a place by the airport, it was like going back in time....to when gas was $3.99 a gallon! Forget that! This time we flew to Cincinati to St. Paul then got home at midnight. After paying the airline $30 to check to bags they lost them for us! When we got to my parents house and tried to start our van it wouldnt start! The best we can figure someone syphened the gas out while we were gone! Welcome back to reality!

So now you have the short (and long) version of our trip! Stay tuned for the little tips I learned for traveling on a budget! THANKS!