Florida Chapter two

 

 For some years, we have made a trip to Orlando, but this is the first time we have spent three days ahead of time, and adjusted to the three hour time difference.  Maybe that is why I feel like this might be the best time ever.

( of course trips with family are at the top of the list )

And this year, I did not take as many photos
 (phone charger did not work, but that is another story )

There are always pictures to view from previous visits ( just scroll to March 2022 for starters) 

The highlights take a different turn so to speak, because even though there are always changes ( a new ride, a new "program" another way to spend money )  Walt Disney World is a very happy place for us.  

This year was crowded, very crowded, and cold, pretty cold.  But we have learned the ropes of getting to our favorite rides before the lines get too long

enough..

Special memory # 1 

Since our first family visit about 30 years ago, we have dined at "Prime Time Cafe"  We try to get a photo wearing our matching shirts, well they almost match.
The turquoise chaise lounges are gone, but that is another story.

Special Memory # 2

Both of us were impressed by the hall of history that shares how  Mr. Disney had many failures and disappointments, but he just kept going. There is more to WDW than rides.

Proverbs 24:16 The righteous man falls 7 times and rises up again
( and again ) 

Special memory #3

Three years ago, we ordered this pretty amazing dessert that was described "serves two".  Well, it served both of us, and the family sitting next to us accepted the remainder and just happened to be at our resort the next morning and said " thanks, we ate every bite"
This year, a large family was sitting next to us. When our dessert arrived and we offered some to them, they very politely said they had also ordered one. They had no idea how large it was.  Rebecca was sitting by me and said they were celebrating their dad's 50th birthday.  We chatted and she was so polite, I commented about it and she said, her parents had trained her well.  Then she added a reference to God (I don't remember exactly ) and I said, you must love Jesus.  She said yes I do. Funny, I was not surprised, but very touched by the reality I could observe in that little space of time.  The love of the Lord does that. 

Special Memory # 4


 

While Darrell went back for seconds, Piglet came for a little chat.  When he left, a lady came over and said " you looked so cute sitting there with Piglet, I took your picture. Can I send it to you?"
Of course.  Then Darrell (being the more friendly of two of us )  asked where she was from.  Memphis.  Oh, our son lived there for a couple years, his client was FedEx. Oh, she said, I worked there for 20 years, BDA was one of our biggest accounts. 
She did not recognize Damon's name, but after she sent me the photo and her name, I asked my three kids that worked at BDA if they remembered her. 
I texted her back to explain the names of the other kids and ...Oh, she knew Tiffany. 
And then heard back from Tiffany, she had just been thinking about her and how much she loved Mt.Rainier. 
I call this a divine encounter 

And here comes Tigger and we are wearing out new matching long sleeved shirts ! 

Another highlight...
Waiting for our table at the Grand Floridian Café, the table nearby was the vacation club ladies. They also had a pin display for trading. A few guests came up to trade and the lady standing next to it was smiling each time and seemed like she enjoyed her job.
I couldn't help commenting to her ( folks do like a compliment ) She said this was a dream comes true. She had come from a European country ( can't remember which one) She also made it evident that she had some inner joy. So, I asked her "Do you love Jesus?"   and she said "Yes"   We hugged.
Sweet how you can often tell "Who" someone belongs to.    

I did have a theme as I went along because now I am in the know... there is a backpack that is the new trend...

Loungefly...

take a look 

You can wear just about anything you like and it is always fun to watch people.  

It is also good just be be together with my hubby and not hear the phone, chain saw or doorbell.

I live an exciting life

.

o

Next stop... WDW

We go often, but this time it was to acknowledge the end of hubby's radiation treatment.
MY choice, because we were on the journey together.
OK, it is not his favorite place, but it is mine.
Mine, because we are miles away from hubby's wood business.
He can actually relax and leave his phone turned off.

So, bottom line... we enjoy each others company.

and the food

and many of the attractions.

When we checked in, they gave hubby a pin to wear.
If you are celebrating something, you write it on the pin.
Birthday
Anniversary
or    Good Health...that was the pick for hubby.

So here are a few of my highlights

This little face resembled our grandson when we was that age
I could not stop peaking....something  about those eyes and
wishing our now 13 years was with us







It was a clear night and this was the view on the river boat

And then the landing
boat landing, that is. 

Not everyone takes pictures of necessary rooms
but
I am not everyone 

Can you guess, this is a seafood restaurant   

And then, who knew we had room for a dessert for two.
Well, it said two, but it was easily enough for four 
The waitress serves up two pieces...

So after we had stuffed ourselves with mud pie
We offered the remainder to the family behind us
Their little man decided it was his first course

Permission granted by his mother to post

That is the end of our first day at the WDW Resort and an easy highlight. 


                                      Thursday
First full day begins with breakfast
As we were leaving the dining room a tall dark and handsome man smiled at me.  I thought he might be smiling at someone behind me, but I smiled back.  As he passed by I heard him say
          " we ate every bit of the pie "
By the time I realized what had happened I turned around and ....
Well, I hope he heard my happy reply, though I could not tell where he had gone.



enough said
but, it was nice.

We have our favorites at Hollywood studios.   Many of the fun rides are gone, but there is still the play  Beauty and the Beast...which we love.

.
and Lunch at  Prime Time Cafe.

Each year we get a photo of someone sitting in the turquoise lounge chair
This year, no lounge chair..but it is turquoise 

And every table is like it's own kitchen table
playing old black and white clips of
50's shows

There is time for Indiana Jones  and a couple more attractions  

Then we leave Hollywood Studios and take a boat ride to Epcot Center.   We could spend more than a day at Epcot,  so we do. 

This is part of the Festival of the Arts event...We helped both days.

And by the end of the second day......Finished !


and this is the postcard all participants received...

Friday 

                                  


Full day at Epcot.   Good weather... Good Food.



                                             Saturday 



The Magic Kingdom
                                                                    

Breakfast with favorite bear 

Now we are ready to head out to the rides 

Goodbye Crystal Palace,

Hello ...

Favorite ride 

Country Bear Jamboree
It's a tradition 

And this is my favorite spot at WDW   The Grand Floridian 

We have dinner in their family dinning room 

Fresh and delicious  

Always room for dessert  

Good bye Grand Floridian

We end our last full day at the Park, and on the shuttle back to our room a passenger commented on Darrell's Celebrate button.

You have to look close...it says...Celebrating Good Health 
This is the end of the day and kids are tired and parents are exhausted and the bus is often quieter than in the morning.  So the conversation was a little more "public" and serious.  Talking about cancer and treatment and family and celebrating and... 
well suddenly , the back end of the bus was clapping.   

And yes, that was my highlight of the day....maybe even the whole trip.  

Once again, final morning

Waffle ! 

But is is also a day at the Park.

The Animal Kingdom

And much much more.

It is a real Safari Ride and this year we saw more wild life than ever before.. maybe it was the weather    

Not quite as good as it looks, quite  tasty
A final treat before
Going home
 

We knew the flight home would be interesting.  We flew from Orlando to San Diego ( cheapest seats ) and then to Seattle.  We knew that flights had been cancelled the day before and the weather was still threatening.  But, we made the connection and arrived home to find.......      The expected snow

But, the unexpected 40 degrees in our home.  The furnace had stopped working and no one at home to get help...  2:00 in the morning and hubby made a fire in the wood stove.


I live an exciting life,  and a blessed one. 

Much to be thankful for.  

WDW page two

Our second day we headed to Hollywood Studios

Pretty impression "march", but not sure this video will open for you

And they lived happily ever after

A special princess, dressed just like Belle 

Special couple...a favorite lunch spot 

Our server shot a photo of another server
that is what they do
draw attention to all things family 

Did I share a bite?

Did he share a bite?

Did he finish this?   

In the lobby of "Prime Time Cafe"
                         50's family kitchen 

The lounge chair, tv shows of the 50's, 

The traditional picture   ( usually with one of the younger generation, but not available this year ) 

This is where the memory started.  

Damon  1992  

Same chair,  Damon,  a few years later  

The same chair, Damon, Sebastian, Jackxin,  3 1/2 years ago  


Back to this years memories  

Familiar with Star Wars?    Well, apparently they are because it was over 80 degrees and these kids were loving it.  

Someone had a birthday
Someone likes twin shirts 

Keith and Cindy
hate to say good bye
A great two days together 

If you have nothing to do

or just can't make it back to your room

just stop for a little "swing"  

Tonight is free movie night, with free popcorn, out on the lawn in front of our resort.     Toy Story 2
We watched long enough to consume 1/2 bag of popcorn



A great day at the park  ...more to come