Leah and Nicki Meet the People in Jamaica

Nicki and I went to Jamaica Sept 30-Oct 3. We had a fantastic time! We had an opportunity to enjoy the Meet the People Program that the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) offers. It was amazing! I learned so much about Jamaica and Nicki and I absolutely fell in love with island all over again.
When they say, “once you go…you know,” they aren’t kidding! There is something for everyone in Jamaica. The rich history and the beauty of the island….well, it’s just the beginning.
Meet Alisha! She was our host for our Meet the People outing. And she just might be yours too!

You can learn more about the Meet the People program here.

Leah and Nicki in Jamaica

Leah and Nicki just returned from the Iberostar Rose Hall in Jamaica.  This video is a little taste of their adventure.

He is a Great Mouse!

Hello! So…I’m the luckiest girl in the world (just so you know). I got to go to DisneyWorld and DisneyLand in the same year. It was my first time at DisneyWorld…which I’m sure you know cause I blogged about it like there was no tomorrow!
But, this was not my first time to Disneyland. In fact, when I was a kid, we went at least once a year. It was magic.
Have I mentioned I love Disney? Magic.1
Halloween Time at DisneyLand is just about my favorite time of year. (It comes second to St. Patrick’s Day) The Haunted Mansion becomes a playground for the “Nightmare Before Christmas” characters and THIS YEAR THEY CHANGED Space Mountain as well. I’m sorry to yell, but it was just about the coolest Space Mountain has ever been. It’s really a shame they will change it back in November.
1.2
The other spectacular thing about this trip was that I reunited (and it feels so good) with a bunch of my very best friends from college.
These are my ladies:
In line for Haunted Mansion!

In line for Haunted Mansion!

I got there on Thursday (October 1) and we ate dinner at Downtown Disney. It was a simple pretzel dog, but I just wanted to be down there to get into the atmosphere and start feeling the MAGIC!
Did I mention I love Disney?
We wandered through the stores and blah blah blah…..
Friday was showtime! And…more of our group arrived as well. We spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday wandering around the Magic Kingdom and California Adventure. I think we did Space Mountain at least three or four times.
I even sprained my ankle on Friday and spent the rest of the weekend limping around in glee. Nothing could stop me! Well…I did miss out on California Screamin’ cause of my ankle. But, Becca and I sat on a bench and enjoyed watching all the people wander around. It was the annual Gay Days celebration and the Utah Education Association was there as well. So! There was plenty of people watching to be had…
Yay!

Yay!

I actually didn’t see very many characters this year. But, the villains were out! That is another reason I like Halloween Time at Disneyland…The Evil Queen will be wandering around the park with Captain Hook…
My friend, Tiffani, got a great picture of Captain Hook. It really does look like he is talking to the Queen of Hearts about how useful his hook is…
Alice as everywhere! Probably because we are getting close to the new movie coming out. She was very polite.
I know that some people feel like there is more to do in DisneyWorld because it is bigger. But, I have to tell you…I have never been bored at DisneyLand. I have never felt like there wasn’t enough to do! There is something about that park, small it may be, that is full of the childlike joy and excitement that Disney is constantly bringing into our lives.
I want to go back…who’s with me?

Two Tickets to Paradise!

Infinity Pool Suite

Infinity Pool Suite

by Leah Wuergler

Pack your bags! Wait…I just unpacked. Good song though!
I went to Cancun with my sister in law Aug 6-9. It was amazing. I love Cancun and think it is amazing just about every time I go…………..but, this time was different. This time was blissful and unreal.
We stayed at the El Dorado Maroma! It’s an adults only all inclusive in the Riviera Maya. When you arrive they hand you a glass of champagne and welcome you to paradise. Let me tell you…let me say words to you and have you hear me! They aren’t kidding around.

The view from my BEACH BED!

The view from my BEACH BED!

View 2

View 2

This was the most beautiful resort I have ever been to. As a travel agent I get to travel quite a bit…and I’m sure I will see many more wonderful things. But, I wonder if anything will ever compare to the El Dorado Maroma.
The beach was soft white sand, the water was clear and you could walk out so far! The Marina Maroma is next door…but, I’m surprised about how little noise you hear from the boats and jet skis.
Now, you all know I like food………………..but, can I tell you how much I like gourmet food? PEOPLE! I even at seafood over the weekend. I had clams, lobster, something that was slightly crunchy, shrimp and Mahi Mahi! Now, will I be eating seafood again in the near future? NO. The slightly crunchy thing scared me, but the lobster was pretty good!
I will say that there were times I wished my brother could be there with my sister in law instead. The resort is so full of romance! But, there were also times when I wished I had a special someone to share it with as well.
The staff was amazing and attentive…I can’t say enough about my trip. I can’t say enough about how well we were treated and how much I want to go back tomorrow.

Enjoying the music

Enjoying the music

Get your tickets! If you get what you pay for…..then pay for paradise and travel without a care in the world! It’s the only way to go!!!

Day 4: Leah at the Magic Kingdom

Leah at the Entrance to 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

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.

My sister took this last picture. I love it. After the skies cleared the day was really beautiful.
Disney is magic. I’m not ready to go home tomorrow.

I’m ready to go to DisneyLAND! =)

Day 3: Leah at Animal Kingdom

Tree of Life

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

(This is not when I was in staring mode. I just wanted to document my feelings about the rain)
I have to admit that I feel bad that I didn’t really like this park. But, seriously, it just felt like a trip to the zoo.
Although, now that I say that……I did see Baloo today! He is my favorite Disney character and I have not seen him for YEARS! He was retired from the park in The Land long ago and I have missed him. (You may have been embarrassed to be in my presence when I saw him today) But, I got in line and the lady told me he wasn’t seeing anymore people cause he had to get ready for the parade! Boo!
Anyway, tomorrow is family picture and MAGIC KINGDOM DAY! You can’t even begin to fathom how excited I am. You just can’t. I’ve already warned my nephew that we will be standing in line to take my picture with just about everyone we see……he laughed. I think he thought I was joking. Poor guy.