Showing posts with label Vacation. Show all posts

Around the World in 5 Hours

Tuesday, June 5, 2012 -

After a great cruise, hubs and I made our way back to Orlando for our final days of vacation. Leaving Port Canaveral that morning, we had pretty much all of Friday to spend at Hollywood Studios. It was crazy busy because it was also Star Wars weekend. Some great costumes, that is for sure. We didn't last long - rode a few rides here and there, but we ended up leaving early to get some rest at our hotel, the Marriott World Center.

We ended back at the Boardwalk for some dinner that night only to head back to Hollywood to ride a few more rides before heading home. If you haven't seen the show Fantasmic! in the Studios, I insist you see it soon. Great show!

On Saturday, we took our time getting ready by laying out at the pool and relaxing. We grabbed some lunch at the Polynesian resort and then headed over to Epcot to drink our way around the world with one of my great friends, Stacy, and her friend, Matt.

We had a great time beginning in the United Kingdom, only to end in France for the fireworks.

It was a great vacation, ending with a quick lunch at The Wilderness Lodge before saying goodbye on Sunday. Couldn't have done it without Stacy. I always look forward to seeing her at least once a year. This girl can give a hub, let me tell you. She's so friendly, so giving, so caring. A great, true friend that I met back in 2009. Glad to have her in my life.

Now, we have been back in Indy for a bit. Am I missing The Mouse? Absolutely. After all, this is a place that is magical. Hubs and I got engaged there, and we've returned with friends and by ourselves many times always enjoying every minute. Lots of great memories, and I'm happy to say we had another fantastic vacation once again!

'Our' rock where we become an engaged couple in 2006

Muah - love you hubs. Thanks for a great 30th birthday vacation!

2 comments

Labels: Birthday, Disney, Engagement, Epcot, Friends, Hollywood Studios, Vacation

Happiness at Sea

Friday, June 1, 2012 -

After our first couple days in the Disney parks, hubs and I made our way towards the ocean. Towards a ship that I was extremely jealous of during our last cruise for hubs 30th birthday.

I may or may not have tried to get on this boat rather than the one we were really on. Okay, I thought about it though I didn't act on it. I really wanted to, trust me on this.

Beyond the fact that I adore The Mouse, there are man other reasons why I advocate for this cruise line. Disney Cruise Line (DCL) knows what they are doing. People scoffed and said "you are going on a Disney cruise? There are going to be so many kids..."

Well, everyone. I am happy to report that though there were children, there were no more children on this boat than there was on the other. If anything, I'd say I saw less children on the boat because Disney gets it.

They have a variety of different areas just for children of all ages. A nursery, a tween area, an area for teenagers. And you guessed it, that also means there is a variety of areas that are adult only. Plus, a lot of family friendly areas too - like the movie theater (called the Buena Vista Theater) where we saw "The Avengers" and "John Carter", or the Walt Disney Theater where we saw two Broadway style shows (The Villians was absolutely fantastic) and a comedy show.

We stopped in Nassau and Disney's private island, Castaway Cay, where we spent time on an adult only beach - Serenity Bay. Talk about a quiet place - it was beautiful.

That evening, we also got to experience fireworks at sea. There is only one cruise line that does fireworks at sea and I was happy to on board. They call it 'Pirates IN the Caribbean' - cute. One of my favorite moments was sitting under the stars on deck, watching Pirates while literally being in the Caribbean with a drink in hand. Love it.

Five days and our nights were perfect. We were never bored, we ate well, and we saw great entertainment. We had such a great time, we even booked another cruise! Alaska 2013 here we come - who's in?

2 comments

Labels: Birthday, Disney, Disney Cruise Line, Pirates of the Caribbean, Vacation

Happiest Place on Earth

Monday, May 28, 2012 -

I know, I know. After the last time, I promised I would be around more. I guess life got away from me once again. With a trip to Vegas for work, followed by long days of playing catch up at work before leaving again for vacation, time got away from me.

When time gets away from you, sometimes one just needs to get away themselves. And this vacation that hubs and I had planned to continue the 30th celebration couldn't have come at a better time. We had scheduled a great vacation of a few casual days on Disney property, followed by our first ever Disney cruise aboard the Magic ship, then a few more days at the parks before heading back home.

Not that I need to tell you that I adore Disney. But I was really looking forward to this for a variety of reasons. Those first few days really were just what I needed. We spent our first day flying to Orlando (hubs worked in the am) and picking up our rental before checking into the hotel. We really wanted a casual night to kick off our vacation. Plus, a movie that I had been wanting to see, Dark Shadows, just opened in the theaters. We made our way to Downtown Disney and had a casual movie date night, while taking in the sights and sounds of the vacation destination.

The next day, we spent sometime in Magic Kingdom, with a quick jaunt to Fort Wilderness for lunch at Trail's End (you can read more about that over at City Nom Noms).

A relaxing afternoon followed by dinner in Epcot was just the day I needed to kick start our vacation. We were lucky to see the Flower & Garden Festival once again this year. It amazes me to what they can do with all the flowers, not to mention the great photo spots that become available.

The next day, we got up and started to casually make our way to Port Canaveral to board our cruise. More to come on that. Here's a hint - it was amazing!

0 comments

Labels: Birthday, Disney, International Flower and Garden Festival, Vacation

Disney Photo Recap

Friday, August 12, 2011 -

As previously mentioned, I was in Orlando for a conference. However, I also was able to indulge in a little 'me & Mouse' time while I was there. But not my typical time. I really did a lot of things that I never do when I'm on Disney property. The one day that I really spent in the parks, I spent by myself.

I always though, what would it be like to spend a day in a park by myself. Well, now I 'kind of' know. I say kind of, because it was so incredibly hot, that I think I would have modified my plan quite a bit. This time around, I...

1. Only rode two rides the entire visit. Yup, only two - the Great Movie Ride and Toy Story Mania. Everything else was a show or attraction. For instance, the Voyage of the Little Mermaid. A 30 minute broadway type show - I was impressed and couldn't believe I hadn't seen it before!

2. I didn't snack on my normal food. I had a banana and iced coffee for breakfast at Starring Rolls cafe (which is where these deliciously looking cupcakes were), ate some pizza at Pizza Planet (with a side of Caesar salad), had Moroccan sliders in Morocco and snacked at a few other places. No Dole whips, no Mickey bars. All new foods for this gal!

3. Enjoying the beach - I have to admit, I've never been to a resort pool before. AND I had never walked around the Polynesian Resort. I did both this time around (and got a great tan doing so!)

4. Watching all the country videos in Epcot. I've seen all of these at one point in time, but I normally skip these as I am usually drinking or eating my way around the world. However, the air conditioned theaters allowed me a break from the heat, plus another opportunity to see things I hadn't been able to see in quite sometime.

5. Took in the artwork. I've always known there are great shops with fantastic artwork, but I really took my time taking it all in. What I would do for a shopping spree in some of these stores - I just love all of it. Some day, when I have my Disney themed room (yup, hubs knows about this already) I'll decorate to my hearts content!

6. Cried. Well, this isn't the first time I've cried at Disney, but I walked around Walt's Dream and just took it all in. How could one man bring so much joy to all these people? Utterly amazing. And I found my new motto to live each day with:

One day, I'll only search for hidden Mickey's. Just sayin'...

Thanks for allowing me to share! And Stacy, thanks again for a great time!

1 comments

Labels: Disney, Friends, Vacation

Then & Now

Saturday, July 23, 2011 -

Where have I been? Well, I've been around. Cooking, working, entertaining life daily with a busy schedule.

Sometimes, life happens.

Unfortunately, I haven't had a lot of time to write to all of you. I hope you don't hold this against me.

Today I took a test. The Certified Meeting Professional exam. I didn't get to study as much as I would have liked, but enough that it became my life for the month of July. But, I think it went well - thank you to all those who sent well wishes!

So, that is where I've been.

And where am I now? Orlando - yes, again. For a conference followed by play time. So I'll be out of commission blog wise for another week or so. But don't worry (that is, if you are), I'll be back soon.

Be prepared for more Disney love, delicious food and events! We still have a lot planned for this summer!

3 comments

Labels: cmp, Disney, Vacation

Pierre - Good One...

Friday, July 8, 2011 -

Road trips. Some people love them, others just don't like to drive. But when you put me in a car with two of my closest friends, I know I'll have a good time.Especially when you listen to this a few times...

And try to name all the state capitals...

Try it. Pierre may surprise you...

Anyway, from Indy to Eagle River, Wisconsin we drove. I was happy to spend time in the big W for the holiday weekend once again, but this time with friends in tow. Once we arrived, there was plenty of lake, beverages, cheese, brats and more cheese to be had (have you ever dipped a Cheese-It into Ron's Cream Cheese? If not, you are missing the high life my friend.) Of course, we bought ice cream from the lake ice cream vendor. Delicious Choco Taco!

I even introduced the non-Wisconsinites to the concept of a Supper Club. Sipped Capital Brewing for the first time - even included a brew named Supper Club. And of course, New Glarus brewing company is always top of my list in Wisconsin...

Mom and dad were absolutely fantastic - thank you everything; I loved seeing you and spending time with you! Here are a few more photos:

Hope everyone enjoyed their Independence Day. And now, it is just about time for the weekend - enjoy yourself again!

1 comments

Labels: Cheese, Eagle River, family, Friends, Holiday, Vacation, Wisconsin

Disney World Continued...

Monday, June 13, 2011 -

This post is extremely delayed. As I mentioned, work is extremely busy right now. Sometimes life gets busy. It just happens. With work, I've been working at home in the evenings as well to ensure all is set for our upcoming event. That means, not as much time for blogging. But alas, I'm slowly getting back into it (though I can guarantee I'll be better in July).

Just wanted to share a few more photos from Disney. We really had a great time with our close friends Sean and Melinda. We visited Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Blizzard Beach and, my favorite, Epcot. Lots of great food (which you can ready about over at City Nom Noms), entertaining rides and amusing shows - building on memories and making new ones. I love Disney, I can't help it, it is the happiest place on earth after all!

We also went to Universal Studios for some Harry Potter love.

It was really hard to come back - I'm still having withdrawals. For some reason, it was really hard to come back. Not the normal "I don't want vacation to end" but different - like what's next? I guess we'll see...

2 comments

Labels: Disney, Friends, Universal Studios, Vacation, Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Disney's International Flower & Garden Festival - Part 2

Thursday, June 2, 2011 -

Future world had some great flowers, but I really loved all the flowers from the World Showcase - the characters matched the country so it made it a little bit more fun to me. Here they are: