The Cabinets

When he decided to build Disneyland, Walt Disney never set out to make memories for us. A place never could. He simply said that there ought to be somewhere for people to go with their families.

The place feels magical but the real magic comes from the sharing. It is the subtle interactions that happen because our focus is on one another. Our gaze is uninterrupted by the pace and the strain of everyday life.

We have had a million moments on this vacation, good and bad. We shall never forget the stray kitten in the restaurant parking lot that tried desperately to follow us into our car, the big birds walking down the road that let us get within 2 feet of them, rubbing a dolphin for the first time for all of us, the girls finding 1000 lizards everywhere as if they were always on the lookout for them, the nightly run to 7-eleven for the "after the kids go to bed adult snack" with my wife, and this list could go on forever.

One such memory will be the always walking over pot and pans in the kitchen because Emily Grace found these cabinets to be a perfect hide-out. She was always in them.

 

 

I love my family!

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Magic Kingdom (Episode 3)

Because of the age of our children and the makeup of our family, apparently we move slow. This is the third day that our entire family has been to The Magic Kingdom and at the end of the day we will have just covered the areas of this park that interest our family.

The girls began the day meeting two of their fairy friends.

The Tomorrowland Speedway

Everyone had ice cream

The People Mover

Dinner at Animal Kingdom Lodge

 

 

Then swimming and rest.

 

 

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Sea World (Episode 3)

After naps we made our way to Sea World for what we believe will be the last time. We had a few shows that we had not yet seen. First we saw "Pets Ahoy." The girls couldn't get enough. Dogs and cats, all things my girls love.

 

Next the girls fell in love with the Shamu Roller Coaster.

 

Then we knew that "Shamu Rocks" was a must see. We wanted to see the night performance and we finally got the chance.

Something about this whale, kids love him (or her I never could really tell). They both thought this show was awesome! Here the girls are not sharing popcorn before the show.

 

Next it was back to the Shamu Roller Coaster for three more rides. I guess most kids are this way, but when my girls like something they can't get enough of it.

On the way out we were able to get another family picture.

Then home and to bed. All of the girls except Emily Grace fell asleep on the way home.

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Busch Gardens Africa

This morning we decided to go to Busch Gardens Tampa which is about 45 minutes from our vacation house. The girls were able to see yet more animals and ride a few more traditional rides.

The laughing hyena was not laughing, nor anything else for that matter.

The girls discovered that this does not spin after they got on this ride. That is the reason for the disappointed faces.

The gliders.

This is a replica of the excavation of King Tut's tumb - interesting only to me, so we made quick work of it. Addison was laying against me while I was posting this blog and ask me if this was a real mommy.

Emily Grace and the rest of us had lunch. During lunch we realized that sickness still had a hold on the older girls so we made a quick sweep through Seseme Street Village and back home to the pool, baths, and rest.

 

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Beaches and Cream

The girls did feel a little better this afternoon and needed to get out of the house. We decided to go to dinner at Beaches and Cream. It is an old time 50's style soda shop.

We got right in and had the second best dinning experience that we have ever had at Disney (Ohana remains number one although they are so different that comparisons may not be relevant). The atmosphere was fun and the food was great. I got one of the best burgers that I have ever had and Megan got a tomato bisque and a grilled cheese sandwich, both were the best she had ever had. I know, how good can grilled cheese be? I tasted it though and it had a very good and unique flavor.

Then came dessert, their specialty. The girls each got a Micky Mouse Sundae and Megan and I shared a Milky Way Sundae. Ice Cream, chocolate, caramel, whipped cream, and a Milky Way Bar buried in the middle. Getting the picture?

 

Next we hung out around Beach Club Resort (home of Beaches and Cream) and then walked over to EPCOT from there in time to ride a few rides.

A rare full family photo in front of the beach club, thanks to a kind passer-by.

The girls play on the beach at The Beach Club beach for a few moments on our way to EPCOT. A few rides and then we ran into Jason Smith and his family after we rode the ride in Mexico. Jason is the best Pastor to Youth that God ever thought up. It is a privilege to work with him and a pleasure to see him and his family tonight.

After a gentle stroll around the lagoon we went home.

 

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$200,000 Teacups

Randy Pausch (the last lecture guy) was also a consultant for Disney. He did a talk to Disney employees called the $200,000 (not sure of this number) Teacups. Apparently he and his brother came to Disney as children. They searched meticulously for the perfect gift for their mom. They bought her a set of Disney teacups in a Disney souvenir shop. They took the purchase with them through the day and upon later inspection found that the teacups had broken (perhaps on a ride or something). They went back to the store to see if they could still afford to get something else for their mom only to have the store clerk replace the teacups for free - no questions asked. The story was later conveyed to Randy's mom, who was very impressed with the way Disney showed compassion to her sons. She never forgot it. It just so happened that years later Mrs. Pausch became the National President of a civic organization. They held numerous national conferences during her tenure and guess where each of them were held. Each of these conferences represented thousands of dollars in revenue and profits to the Disney organization, all thanks to a clerks compassion in replacing a set of teacups.

I haven't lost any teacups but my little girl, Addison dropped her ice cream shortly after this picture was taken. When we got to the next stand I asked the lady if they took the credit card and she said certainly so I ordered the ice cream. The lady took note to Addison's tears and as she handed her the ice cream. Olivia told the lady she was crying because she dropped her ice cream. When I went to pay, she refused my card because she just wanted to dry those tears.

A few nights ago we were at Disney Studios and the girls wanted popcorn. We were going to get them a popcorn to share. We got to the popcorn cart just as they were trying to close. Megan said, we just need one box of popcorn. The lady, noticing that we had two girls, set two popcorns on the counter and said that these girls needed their own popcorn. She said there would be no charge since they were closing anyway. I guess it was on the mouse (get it?).

When we arrived late to Cindella's Royal Table the restaurant manager noticed that the girls did not have autograph books. He gave each of them a book and pen and showed them just how to use them. We noticed later that they were selling these books for $6.00 each all over the parks.

I feel that Disney has taken care of my girls and I appreciate it. I may never be responsible for planning a conference but then again - when it comes to myself or anyone who might read this blog - you just never know. Maybe one day I will write about the $500,000 ice cream.

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Hopeful But Uncertain

This morning we still have two sick girls. We are taking it easy to see how they feel this evening.

They are at Dunkin' Donuts right now as a reward for taking their medicine (a real ordeal for Olivia). We see how they feel later and what they might feel like doing - if anything.

Emily Grace is feeling great today by the way - I think she is almost "out of the woods."

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