Sabbatical Blog: 9/23 Orlando, FL

9/23 Orlando, FL
We started early so we could get to Disney World in time for the Magic Kingdom opening. We woke up at 5AM and were out the door by 6AM. It is roughly a 2+ hour drive. We made it to Orlando in time to check out the hotel location where we’re staying for the next two nights. Then we headed towards the park, but were detoured by a triathlon that was going on at the time. We finally found the way around the race and made it to the park with Disney Magic intact, but low and in need of refueling. We got in the park and made a bee-line strait for Space Mountain, one of my favorite Magic Kingdom rides. The park still wasn’t busy yet. It was nice. After space Mountain we darted over to Pirates of the Caribbean. We had forgotten how different the Magic Kingdom here in Florida was compared to our Magic Kingdom in Anaheim. We then went for Splash Mountain. I was fortunate enough to get soaked by the jet of water that shoots out from the other logs heading down the big flume.

Today was a good day. We didn’t have to worry about Kylie too much, since my Dad and Kathy were taking care of her and we’d catch up with them later that evening. The only downer, was the rain! Once it came, it pretty much didn’t stop all afternoon. It was much better being in Florida rain, than Portland rain. The only other excitement was that all the rides seemed to start having some trouble after the rain started. We got stuck on the up part of Splash Mountain for at least 10 minutes. We couldn’t understand what the operators were saying though.

Later, we got stuck on the Winnie the Pooh ride, as well as others, but none as long as Splash mountain. We hit all the rides we wanted, some more than once. And left the park early. On our way back to the hotel, The Sheraton Safari Suites, we stopped by Red Lobster for Dinner. Traci really wanted their Cheesy Bread. My dinner was good, especially for not really wanting to go in the first place. I had Salmon and Coconut Shrimp.

We came back to the hotel and met up with my Dad, Kathy, and Kylie. After putting Kylie to bed Traci started flipping through the channels and came across the new Ken Burns documentary, “The War”, the new 14 ½ hour documentary on WWII.

Here I am all excited to get on Space Mountain.

Here we are waiting to go see the Hall of Presidents. This was during the downpour. Many people were seeking shelter. We were pretty much soaked at this point, and the A/C was keeping this place cool despite the intense rain outside.

Not too much spinning for us older kids. We can't handle it anymore.

Traci is happy, we had two back-to-back rides on the Carousel.

I always forget... but I think this is Cinderella's Castle. Where the one in California is Snow White's Castle. I wonder what they have in Paris, Tokyo, etc?