Olivia's Birthday Trip 2020

 

We are hard to figure sometimes. The last few years it seems that we have not had much in the way of resources but any resources that we do have we have always favored experiencers over things. This was Olivia's 15th birthday and we have always tried to have birthday experiences instead of parties and presents. This year we let Olivia choose. She chose Disney studios. Olivia has always been a big Star Wars fan and when we were there the previous summer Star Wars was complete and employees were allowed in the help them put the rides through their paces but we could not go in. This was her big chance. Olivia was attending school virtually at the time so she zoomed into class all the way to Orlando and all the way back. She was a trooper and I even heard her answer a few questions during the classes.

We arrived at about 8:00 PM. This is the hotel lobby. 

We checked in and dropped our bags and then off to Disney Springs.

Mom wanted to make sure that she had linked the magic bands correctly to our account so this was the first stop.

After some shopping Olivia chose to eat at Rainforest Cafe.

A birthday cupcake from the management and we were off to a great start.

The next morning we were off bright and early.

 When we arrived at Disney Studios it was quite cold. We thought for a moment we would have to but sweatshirts but it warmed up pretty quickly although it never got hot. A cool breeze ruled over this sunny day and we were grateful for the weather. Once in, we did not ride anything. Instead, at precisely 10:00 AM we tried to get a boarding pass to Rise of the Resistance. We had rehearsed how we would not be disappointed nor let it be a downer on our day if we did not get it. But we did!

We loved Star Wars Land but we were not prepared for the fact that food and snacks would be in such short supply. We finally figured out how to order meals in the app and shortly took care of lunch.

This new ride, Mickey and Mini's Runaway Railway was a long wait but ended up being one of our favorites.

Or boarding group was called to Rise of the Resistance.

The park closed early so we still had enough energy to have dinner at Beaches and Cream at Disney's Beach Club.

It is a good thing we planned to share. It was more than both of us could eat.

So the sun set on our birthday day together at Disney Studios. There are many who have criticized the extravagance of trip like this (although it costs less than a birthday party) and they might be right. However, this is what I do know about these last 3 days; I am glad that we shared this time together and I know Olivia better than I ever have before. I shall never forget the way that she planned the day and asked me what she could carry for me in her backpack for me, or the expression on her face the first tine we drove under the happiest place on earth sign, or how happy she was when we got boarding passes to Rise of the Resistance, or the way she held my hand a few times as we walked to the next attraction, or the happy tiredness in her eyes as we shared a huge sundae at Beaches and Cream at the end of the day. I will not forget any of that - EVER - And for me that is the definition of priceless. I love you Olivia and I am glad we had this time together and that we didn't allow anything, including COVID-19 to stand in our way.