Two Sides of the Same Coin

 Continuing to roll with different stages of life, our girls are certainly old enough to be trusted in the parks on their own. So it is that, mostly because of finances, only the two girls would park hop today. Megan and I would resort hop and we would connect at the end of the day.

Side One: The Resorts

From one resort to another using the tram - sky liner - and boats.

Then to the monorails

Dinner at the Polynesian and sunset on the beach waiting for the boat parade and fireworks

Side Two: The Parks

Vacations in the Stages of Life

 Many times in this blog you will notice, if you have followed us on any of our vacations, that our vacations are sometimes difficult to pull off. In fact, there is a year where the title of the first post was titled "the vacation that almost wasn't." That vacation was surely in jeopardy until the moment we left but it was by no means the only one. Several of them were in doubt until the day we left - but so far, we have always left and this is no accident. Megan and I decided from the beginning of our marriage, that these experiences would be a priority - a high priority - and so it remains.

Our vacations have been in doubt for many reasons. Mostly financial but also job loss, job concerns, and health of family members just to name a few. This year we encountered a new one - it involves life circumstances, not for us as parents, but mostly for our children. All of our girls have jobs this year. Olivia is working at a Camp Sea Fearer and simply would not be able to go on this vacation. Addison is working at Little Fork Ranch and also would not be able to be off for an extended period. However, coming off of the Disney College Program, she was eager to accompany us for a few days if Disney World should prove to be part of our vacation. Emily Grace is a camp counselor at the Twin Rivers YMCA, but did have a somewhat more flexible schedule than the other girls.

Emily Grace was asked about preferences of where she most wanted to go. She said that she always loves Disney and that she wants to experience a beach with clear waters. And so with those parameters we were off.

Once again this is our vacation and welcome to it.

Megan and I left on Thursday afternoon and due to a problem with the rental car we were off - but later than scheduled.

We spent the night at a Holiday Inn Express in Kingsland Georgia right on the Georgia - Florida line. 

We left Emily Grace with a friend in charge of the house because Addison spent the night at horse camp.  Two good girls but we were more than a little put off by the photo that arrived a few minutes after we talked to her until we noticed that Vivian had a third hand. AI nearly gave us heart failure.

We arrived on Friday about mid-morning.

We set foot in the Disney bubble at All-star Music Resort

We walked through the park to our room in the Broadway section of All-Star Music

Very much apropos for those of you who know us.

Disney always has a way of making us welcome - As corny as it is, it always feels good to hear those worlds from the security guy at the gate - "Mr. and Mrs. Davis, Welcome Home." 

I sit beneath the Newsies sign - One of our favorites

We brought their luggage and they await the arrival of our girls

Megan and I had lunch at Disney Springs and then back to the room for rest.

Soon it was to the airport to bring our girls home to Disney.

A cameo of our family at 42nd and Broadway and we were off to Disney Springs.

Addison ran into one of her best friends at Disney Springs just as we were leaving - So Addison and Emily went out to hang with the girls and Megan and I went back to the room. A pretty great day!

World's Largest McDonald's and Wilderness Lodge

 The last full day of being in Florida together was upon us. It always comes before you know it and it also gives to us a heavy heart. Times unfettered and together are hard to come by and, though we know it cannot go on for long at the time, we do love these times.

I have always heard that the largest McDonald's in the world was not far from us on International Drive. Ever the tourist trap junkie, I needed to see it.

As it would turn out, the World's largest McDonald's is not much different from any other McDonald's. The play area and arcade are huge and they do offer pasta and pizza dishes. But they held onto the McDonald's charm. It was confusing, overcrowded, not enough parking, and understaffed, and those who were there made it clear by their attitude and countenance that they didn't want to be there either.

Still, I have always wondered what it is like and now I know. Now it is checked off my list with no further investigation needed. 

After McDonald's everyone did some of their own activities at the vacation house and then we set out for Wilderness Lodge. Wilderness Lodge is built to resemble the old lodges in the National Parks of the West United States.

The girls are looking at one of Walt Disney's favorite trains which is located in quiet room in the Wilderness Lodge.

We ate at the Whispering Canyon Cafe, our only family "sit down" meal at Disney World.

These shakes that everyone has are bottomless. I estimated that I could drink six - not so - I had two and then took one to go.

One more stop at the Polynesian Village

The Contemporary

And, Animal Kingdom Lodge

With that we bid Disney Property goodbye until next time.

Shopping and Coronado Springs

 We went shopping with Olivia this morning to Orlando Outlets Vineland. A shopping center with no parking so they built a parking deck that costs $12.00 per car and they have valet parking for $15.00. We chose the later. The lesson is that you can park there but you better make sure that you save at $15.00 by shopping there over some other retail outlet.

Olivia came in search of a jacket and shoes. She found both - actually two pair of shoes.

On our way back we decided to check in on Celebration, Florida. My nephew and his wife lived here recently and now live near Raleigh. We stayed there once while we visited Florida while the girls were on a mission trip and camp. We ended up going to Disney. We took a picture of the place where we stayed.

Celebration was built by Disney and was intended to be an ideal neighborhood. As always, every neighborhood has its problems but it is a very quaint and desirable place to live and visit.

Down the road there is a Diner. A great place to eat.

My favorite meal of the trip so far. Chicken biscuit with sawmill gravy.  Mmmm Mmmmm.

Two years ago we discovered Joe's famous ice cream in Anaheim, California (a combination of ice cream and shaved ice) and it was great. No sooner had we arrived when I received an ad on my phone for Jeremiah's ice cream. The idea was similar so I was anxious to try it. We found one near Celebration. It tasted exactly the same - score!

After a rest at home we went back out to one of our favorite resorts - Coronado Springs. We started of by getting dinner in the food court. Then we explored.

We concluded our tour at the rooftop lounge

And HOT churros. Score again!