Magical Disney

I have been away on a Magical Disney Vacation.  (that is how they explain it on the commercial, right?) Well, it is true.  It was a wonderful vacation with just mom and I to get away and celebrate her birthday.  It was beautiful every day and not one drop of rain.  We took in sun and the pool, had  fabulous meals, and got to spend time with dearly missed family.

We were lucky enough to be visiting Epcot during the flower and garden show, and it was beautiful!

 While in Epcot we took advantage of traveling the countries to eat and enjoy the sights around the world.  We decided to do dessert before our main meal in a Patisserie in France, goodies below.

 If you go to Epcot, you absolutely have to eat your main meal in China.  And for this Italian girl to say that, you know it isn't to be missed.  The sesame honey chicken is perfect and share it with someone else so that you can also enjoy the cucumber salad (one of the many yummy apps) if you can fit that in your belly as well.
 Below are some shots of our adventure in Mexico.  They have a great boat ride that is a really relaxing and beautiful ride that just happens to be in air conditioning if you need a break from walking in the sun!

 On my moms actual birthday we had the best dinner. Downtown Disney's Fultons Crab.  Everything we ate was amazing and our view over the water was perfect.  When it got dark we actually saw some of the night fireworks at the surrounding parks.  *If you like mushrooms, ask for the mushroom fry app, wow.

We both had this as our dinner choice.  Allowed you to try fish, crab cake, and the most perfectly cooked plump shrimp

 Our last night in Orlando was perfect, because we were surrounded by family.  <3

Mom with the Witzel clan.

My handsome cousins (Ryan and Tyler) and beautiful cousin Kaitlyn

 One thing I noticed was new to Disney since my last visit: the influx of princesses.  And I don't mean Cinderella.  Every little girl we passed was dressed to top in a Princess outfit: shoes, hair, dress, wands.  It was adorable.  We enjoyed pointing out each new "Princess" we passed.  We noticed they had set up shops within the parks were little girls could "transform." A dress alone was over $50.00.  It wasn't until we were riding the bus home after a long day of walking, and I looked over at this little "princess" that I thought about it.
 Disney really is a magical place.  It makes dreams you couldn't even imagine on your own, come true.  Some of what you see is so beautiful and imaginative, it makes your own brain want to step up its game.  And that is for an adult.  A child's eye can barely take in everything that lies in front of it.  Everything seems so big and opportunity lies around every corner.  Details adults can appreciate are lost on children.  But the children have the better view, because they still believe in every thing they see.  They still believe anything is possible.  Yes, it may have cost the father on the bus close to $100.00 to have his daughter in that outfit, with her sparkle bun and perfect shoes.  But he gave her what I imagine every parent wants for their little girl.  He gave her the belief that she was a Princess.  Maybe when he handed over that cash and watched her light up as people doted on her hair and makeup, he was actually the big winner.  And I would bet there is more then one parent that watches and hopes that in her lifetime, she will find the real Prince her dreams believe in now.  And that he will make her feel like a Princess everyday.  So arguably some people will call this new "Princess Store" that latest Disney pull for the last dollars in your wallet.  But I say, money well spent. 
 As a last note, Disney does have more rides then I could mention here.  A few I would suggest you don't miss: Pirates of the Caribbean, the Mexican Boat Ride, Tower or Terror, Mission Earth, and Peter Pan, to name a few.  But one thing I would absolutely not miss is the Walt Disney Exhibit.  You begin by walking through a museum of sorts that takes you through Walt's life.  Pictures and words walk you through his childhood and the road that lead to the idea of "Disney."  You walk yourself right into a movie that through random clips, allows Walt himself to narrate.  You see the first drawings of Mickey Mouse (named by his wife) all the way to his idea of Epcot and bringing the world to one place.  I can't even pretend that I didn't feel a wave of emotion that brought tears to my eyes.  To me it is so moving to see such an imagination come to life.  I both idolize and envy Walt.  His life is remarkable, his mind is beautiful.  Walt never did get to see Epcot and Disney complete and as successful as it is today.  But I was standing right there, in the middle of this man's dream.  Whether you buy into the idea of Disney or not, there is no escaping the magnitude and power of his ideas and the courage of his dreams.  It is inspiring.