A Deeper Life: Day 1 at Disney World: EPCOT

I am home from what is one of my favorite places in the whole wide world: Disney World. I can't believe I've looked forward to this trip for so long, and now it's over. Sad sad day. But let's quit wasting time missing Orlando and let me tell you about our amazing trip!

Like any other blog update about trips I've been on, I'll have to chop it up in different posts, so that you don't end up reading for hours. Because obviously, you would. And I have about 150 pictures, so I'll have to cut those down a bit as well.

Let's begin!

Day 1: Epcot

Jamie and I woke up at the crack of dawn and left the apartment at 5:00 to be at the airport around 5:15 for our 6:00 AM flight. We waited and waited and waited, and then an airport worker said that there are some mechanical issues with the plane and they're waiting on the mechanic. Stellar. I'm not the best flyer in the world due to my fear of heights, so I was so stoked to hear this news about the plane.

Long story short, our plane was delayed over an hour which caused us to miss our connecting flight in Atlanta to Orlando. Here's the good news. We caught a later flight that left just about an hour later than we planned on, AND they bumped us up to first class! Or as I like to call it...high class :) So I filled my time on the short flight by watching The Hunger Games on my very own personal TV. Oh first class, how I love you.

We met Kirby and Camie in the airport, hugged and cheered, got on the Disney's Magical Express Transportation bus and headed to our beautiful resort! We stayed at Disney's Art of Animation resort, and it was fabulous! It's also brand new--just built this past May. We stayed in the Finding Nemo suits, and it was beautiful. We grabbed a quick bite to eat and then headed to Epcot for a fun-filled afternoon in Disneyville!

The big ol' golf ball-looking sphere:

What a beautiful sight!

Our first stop:

It had like a 3 minute wait and anytime there's a wait shorter than 30 minutes, it's pretty much an unwritten rule that you have to ride! Just because there's no wait. It was interesting and relaxing. And air conditioned. Throughout the trip, we didn't really care where we were or what we were doing as long as we got a break from the heat. It's hot in Florida.

The boys, looking at a map, being precious:

I loved Kirby's hat and thought it was not only hilarious, but also rather brilliant! It shaded the sun fabulously!

We got a cute little pic with Chip and Dale:

Did you know that Chip and Dale have different colored noses? And Chip has a chip in his tooth?

After a while, we headed to Mission Space--a super fun motion simulator thrill ride. It's kind of intense, and I quickly learned that it was a little too intense for my hubby and my sibling-in-laws. I love thrill rides, especially when I'm inside and can't really see what's going on. They were not a huge fan of the spinning, but I've always loved Mission Space! Sorry, kids.

After that ride, we rode The Seas with Nemo and Friends--a fun little ride taking us through the story of Finding Nemo. It was cute and entertaining and it was just what everyone needed to recover from Mission Space.

Our next stop was Ellen's Energy Adventure--a slow, educational ride, informing us of where energy comes from. It was relaxing and entertaining but there was a down side to this ride...the people in front of us stunk. Really badly. Like truly horrible. My tummy ache was out of control after this 40 minute ride, because they smelled so badly. Poor folks...

Next up was the World Showcase--my favorite part of Epcot!

I forgot where we were in the World Showcase in this picture, but it sure is cute:

I believe we were in the United Kingdom here:

And here:

This may have been the United Kingdom as well?:

I'm not 100% sure on that one, but I am 100% sure that that man in the picture is my cute hubby in his jorts.

Had to stop for a picture with Pooh and Tigger:

Pooh gave Jamie a kiss on the cheek and was a bit flirty with my man. Pooh was about to get busted by Wifey!

I think we're still in the UK, and there's Camie:

I had to get a picture with the Twinings Tea sign, because that's the hot tea that I drink in the morning:

Mary Poppins!!:

I wanted a picture with Miss Mary, but the line was too long and we had to book it to our dinner reservations.

This may have been Morocco:

Japan, maybe:

Japan, I think:

Italy?:

More Italy?:

Germany, I believe:

I am a Schoenthaler after all, so I should know my married roots:

Jamie, being festive in Mexico:

Camie and Jamie, playing with the puppets in Italy:

China:

Kirby, Chinese warrior:

Jamie and Abby, dressing up in Chinese apparel:

I love Werther's candies. There was a whole wall of Wether's! Heaven:

Italy:

For dinner, we ate at La Hacienda de Angel. Guess where that was located? Mexico, of course! Our dinner was super delicious and very festive! We dinned on chips and queso and salsa, shrimp tacos, a big ol' meat platter and some pork dish that Jamie got. It was all yummy!

After dinner, we walked around the World Showcase a little more and then grabbed some dessert. Kirby and I stopped back in Germany at a caramel shop and we got some goodies there. Kirby got chocolate covered strawberries and I got a caramel and milk chocolate covered apple. Heaven to my tongue. Jamie and Camie got ice cream. Perfection.

While eating our dessert, we staked out a spot to watch Illuminations--the nighttime fireworks and light and laser show on the lake. Beautiful and captivating and very Disney. I don't think I quit smiling.