tourist attraction

florida was great! the weather was nice, except the last day we were there, where there were torrential rain storms and a tornado warning. but it didn't stop was from exploring animal kingdom in soaking wet clothes!

we got to hit up the pool/waterslide area at our hotel and head to some awesome outlets. i scored some major deals, and because i rarely go shopping anymore, i spent a bit more than i intended. but can i just say i want to move into the barney's outlet? so much good stuff, and for seriously reasonable prices.

the outlets, and to a lesser degree, the disney parks, were packed. what recession?

we stayed in a pretty rad place for a steal, about $100 a night for a two-bedroom two-bath place with a full kitchen and washer and dryer in-unit. i wasn't expecting much for the price, but the place is pretty much brand-new and anj gets all the credit for suggesting we not stay at a disney property. staying at one probably would have driven me nuts. the place we stayed had a free shuttle to epcot, and from there you could hop on the monorail or take buses to anywhere in walt disney world. never did i imagine walt disney world to be so insanely huge! it truly is like driving in a small city. the only bummer about not staying at at disney property is not getting to participate in the "extra magic hours," where each park opens early/stays open late on a particular day, as this is option is exclusively for resort guests.

magic kingdom, our first full day in orlando:

enchanted tiki room. we didn't get to see a show, but the decor was awesome


even mickey's house was in the holiday spirit




we went on pretty much everything we wanted to, except for space mountain. fast passes, my first time using them, are the greatest invention.

epcot:


obligatory "golf ball" shot


each world showcase had a "kidcot" area where they had tables where kids colored this mask. then the mask was stamped, sort-of a passport, indicating you'd "traveled the world"


coca-cola products from around the world. a blatant marketing scheme, it was still cool to taste all of the flavors. beverly was horrible, the rest were decent.




piazza san marco


it was huge!







epcot was pretty awesome, it was what i was most looking forward to in terms of disney parks. the test track ride was more intense than i thought it would be, but i dug it. i'd pass on mission: space if i was ever asked to go on it again, and we even did the "green" easy experience. i quite literally had the beginnings of a panic attack, being trapped in that little capsule was not so much fun.

i got to introduce anj and her son to waffle house, late late at night







cocoa beach:






at disney's Polynesian resort, which was totally kitschy, and totally up my alley




animal kingdom:


ominous looking clouds, right? you know no idea.


this doesn't do it justice




blurry ostriches


rhino ass!




just as we were leaving, the rain stopped