Day 4: Leah at the Magic Kingdom

Leah at the Entrance to the Magic Kingdom

It feels like coming home. Well, it felt like coming home. I discovered soon after entering that the park is set up a bit different than Disneyland….so, I got lost.
And! I didn’t realize that this park doesn’t have the Indiana Jones ride. AND WHY IS SPACE MOUNTAIN ALWAYS CLOSED?
But, I was so happy to be here. This is what I had been waiting for…..this is my place!
I know I said yesterday that I was going to get pictures with every character I saw………well, I saw four. I did not get pictures with them. The rain made everyone run and hide.
I apologize, but the rain also made it hard to get the camera out and document!

I didn’t really think much about the camera today anyway. Today was the first day I was in the park with my family! I came for family vacation…but, I did the other three parks by myself because I got here so early.
We all went on the Haunted Mansion together. The mansion itself is a really cool building. The ride is the same as California, but it did seem a bit longer to me.
Then we went to Pirates! I looooove the changes made to incorporate the movies. I haven’t been on the ride since they made those changes. I think everybody liked it. (And I got a new Pirates shirt. Very important!)

Today I was enjoying the company of my peeps! My nieces and nephews seem to be growing out of the Disney excitement…….but, I think I had enough for all of us.

Leah's Dad at the Magic Kingdom

My dad shared some joy too! Look at my Pappy! He is the greatest. I love experiencing Disney with him because he has the same kind of love for Disney that I do.

Today was a good day. I really don’t know what to say about it! I felt like a kid again. When I saw Captain Hook I did a little dance. But, he and Smee were quickly ushered away because of the rain. My sister got a good picture of Hook though.

I’m ready to go to DisneyLAND! =)

Day 3: Leah at Animal Kingdom

Tree of Life

I wish I had a better picture of this tree. The Tree of Life was amazing. But, I am going to be totally honest with you…I wasn’t a huge fan of The Animal Kingdom.
Now, I want to make it perfectly clear……I love Disney. I will be a fan until the day I die (and then after I die I will probably search Walt out see if he wants to be friends). But, I know for a fact that Disney doesn’t always get it right. And for me…this wasn’t a very magical day. This was a zoo…..and Goofy and Donald happened to be there…..

Dino Buddy

Now that I have the negative out of the way….let me tell you about what I did like! The Dinosaur ride was EXACTLY like the Indiana Jones ride. I dug it. DUG IT.

Dino Buddy 2

I got bored waiting in line for the “Finding Nemo the Musical” and I made this! Wait….that’s not true. But, this was near the line that I was standing in. The musical was amazing. I didn’t like all the songs, but the show wasn’t about the songs! The costuming and the staging were wonderful. Good times.

Leah at Everest

The highlight of the day is a picture of me! No…..the Everest Expedition was a really surprising roller coaster. I had so much fun on that. And! They have the single rider line. So, get off the ride and then jump right back into line.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

You know…….this could be part of the reason my day wasn’t that magical. It did this for most of the day. I should have had my dad take a picture when he picked me up. I was drenched…..you would have been jealous. The wet rat look is so in season.

My Gorilla Buddy

I had a staring contest with him………well, the whole crowd around me did. He was not pleased. Can you see that he is not pleased? But, he walked away first! So, I win.

Leah - Staring

I had a staring contest with him………well, the whole crowd around me did. He was not pleased. Can you see that he is not pleased? But, he walked away first! So, I win.

Wouldn’t you walk away first too? That is a stare! Grrrrrrr!

Leah at Walt Disney World – Day Two

Disney Studios

I could live here. I could set up a tent in the middle of the park and live inside Hollywood Studios! This was amazing….and just for Cathi….today was AWESOME!

Tower of Terror

I started out on the Tower of Terror………..because I wanted to judge it. I wanted to compare it to the one at Disneyland and pine away for my homeland. I will admit that there are things about the original Tower that are pretty cool……..but, the jury is in folks! California rules.

Beauty and the Beast

You want to have a strange experience? Watch the the stage shows! The “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Little Mermaid” shows were sort of like speed reading. They went right from…he’s growling! They’re in love! LET’S KILL THE BEAST! Hee hee.

Disney Animation

This may have been my favorite part of the park. They give you a history of how the movies are drawn and developed, then show you some art from the upcoming Disney movie, and then you get to create your own art! You can even go to a Disney drawing class. (The upcoming movie “The Princess and the Frog” is the first movie in years that has been hand drawn. If I wasn’t excited enough before……..)

Mickey and Leah

I love this Mouse. I don’t care what anybody says. Mickey has always been a big part of my life. My dad worked for Disney……..in fact! I found out yesterday that my dad was one of the original employees here at DisneyWorld when the park opened. Both parks are in my blood!

Indiana Jones

Well, I did a lot of wandering today. This is the Indiana Jones Stunt Show. Ummm…I have to admit something to you….I was the rude girl having a text conversation during the show. I’m so bad! I know-please forgive me. (My boss needed my password for my work email….and then I had to update her on all my fun!)

Leah at Walt Disney World – Day One

Welcome to Epcot

I’m here! My parents arrived yesterday and by Sunday we will all be here. So, you will have to forgive my personal photo taking for the next couple of days. =)

Spaceship Earth

Before I tell you about Epcot…you have GOT to see the before and after of my hair. My dad dropped me off and by the time he came back to fetch me….humidity had done some work on me. Enjoy!

Leah before the Florida humidity

Leah - Humidified!

Ha! I guess it doesn’t matter what I do with my hair all weekend. Florida will take care of my curls. I hope I can tame them for the family photo! Sheesh!

After Mars made me ill…I decided to go back in time and hang out with dinosaurs and learn about how energy has evolved. (At least I think that is what I learned. I was still having “I’M IN DISNEYWORLD” flutters.)

Spaceship Earth - Another perspective.

Then……I walked around the world! Man, do my feet hurt. (That may be an old joke, but it’s the truth!)

So, I went to ask for help….like ya do….and the employees all turned out to be French. You know what? I should have brought video with me. You would really have loved watching me try to ask Disney questions in French. We didn’t go over Disney topics in high school or college. Popcorn worthy.

My dad took me on a tour to see some of the hotels in the area. The Wilderness Lodge was my favorite! I have some clients staying there soon…now I’m double excited for them!

We had dinner in Downtown Disney at a Cuban place called Bongos. Mmmmmmm! So tasty.

Today was a really great day! I’m so excited to be here and share my trip with my friends and my clients. Although, I have to tell you the truth…………so far, Disneyland is still the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH! Disneyworld comes in second.

Loves and CHEESE!