The Magic Kingdom

Our last theme park was the Magic Kingdom. You can't just say Disney World because that includes all the parks and there are about five of them. So, Magic Kingdom it is.

Um, yes, I took this picture and yes, I was in the driver's seat 

(Bud was steering though).

The Goodyear blimp made an appearance because there was a special visitor at the park that day. 

Did you know I have been for a ride in the Goodyear blimp? 

Can you tell who it is? 

When you arrive at the park, you have to take either the bus, the monorail or the boat to the real entrance of the park which is about a mile away from the parking lot.

Bud's learning curve on my purse camera was well, you can see for yourself. 

But he quickly got the hang of it (keep in mind this was our third 

theme park with that camera). Much better! 

I liked the mosaic scenes inside the castle.

Of course the two older guys with their brute strength couldn't 

pull the sword out but this little guy could. 

This was our first ride of the morning. 

I never understood about fast passes until now. Here's my first 

ever fast pass. It came with a bonus pass. 

After Bud got the hang of using the camera, every time I'd say "let me take your picture over here," he'd counter with, "no, I'll take your picture instead."

"Here we goooooooo!" 

Dumbo doesn't look the same as how I remember it. 

I'm not sure why adults go on Utopia. 

Especially since you aren't supposed to use them for bumper cars. 

This was hands-down my favorite experience of the day. 

It was really hilarious. 

This, on the other hand was as lame as they come. 

Can you hear the guy whistling to the dog? I can. 

You had to look twice to make sure it wasn't really Johnny Dep, didn't you. 

Jungle cruise is cornier than ever and I loved it. 

Get the point? 

Our last fast pass was for Space Mountain, and while I didn't have the terrible experience as the day before with that Mission: Space ride (I forgot to mention yesterday that after buckling in, the screen comes forward to just inches from your face which made things all the more claustrophobic) it wasn't fun like I remembered. It was too hard on my old neck. I'm just not a spring chicken anymore.

Here's the last thing we went on, and the song got stuck in my head for about a week and a half. Here you go, I'll share it with you..."There's a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day. There's a great big beautiful tomorrow, and tomorrow's just a dream away. Man has a dream, and that's the start. He follows his dream with mind and heart, and when it becomes a reality, it's a dream come true for you and me. So there's a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day. There's a great big beautiful tomorrow, just a dream away." Now let's see how long it stays stuck in your head. You know what they say about karma- well, to make the song stick in your head means it will now be stuck in my head...again. 

Walking down Main Street back to the entrance. 

This picture is for Caleb and also Nick, because I bought them both this game for the Wii for Christmas. 

I'd say, "Thhhat's All Folks!" but that would be Warner Bros., not Disney. It was fun to get away from the snow for a little while. To welcome us home, the snow made it's appearance the very next day after we came back. What a welcome. Thanks. A lot. 

Epcot

Our second day of theme park exploration took us to Epcot. Bud and I came here 10 1/2 years ago on our honeymoon before we went on a cruise. More on that later.

I thought it only fitting that I should have this for breakfast before heading out. 

Bud thought adding a few berries was an improvement. 

This reminded me of a memorial in Berlin, Germany (without the giant ball in the background). 

This is the Victoria Gardens tribute in the Canada section. 

This next picture is awesome for only one reason. When we were here last time, someone took our picture, at this very spot. I was surprised to find the same spot, and again, someone took our picture. It's crazy how much I have changed in ten years. Bud? Not so much.

Now look at the differences- like the tree growth 

(let's not mention my change in weight or hair, okay?). 

That was fun, huh? 

And Victoria Gardens from the backside. 

Look, Agnes- the Eiffel Tower! 

I have to tell this story. We had only been on a couple of "rides" all day, so at the end of the day, I took Bud to this ride since the line was fairly short. I had never been on it, and didn't know exactly what to expect from it. The ride is called Mission:SPACE. They asked us if we wanted the more intense or less intense ride. I figured more is better, so we took the orange ticket. There were a few warnings given before we got to the "launchpad." I thought I could handle whatever, thinking it was going to be similar to Star Tours at Disneyland. I was wrong. So. Very. Wrong. 

Bud asked me twice if I was going to be okay before we got on the ride. I had a little bit of reservation, but didn't want to be a wimp. When they loaded us into our spaceship, it was a bench seat that fits four people. There was a u-shaped restraint bar that came down over your head and rested on your shoulders. When I pulled mine down, it was a little too tight and I could-not-move. The panic set in. The ride attendant came by and closed the door, sealing me in, and ensuring my impending doom. I should have told her right then to let me out-I'vechangedmymindanddon'twanttogoonthisrideanymore-PLEASE! Yes, I should have. I didn't. My claustrophobia kicked into HIGH gear. The ride started and I could barely breathe. I gripped Bud's arm so tightly he probably lost circulation instantly. He says he thought that when I grabbed him it meant I was doing okay. He didn't realize my inward distress. I tried to focus on what was happening on the ride so I wouldn't think about my untimely and absolute certain death. Well, the ride did eventually come to an end. Miracles have not ceased. I was so traumatized by that ride that it still brings panic-filled feelings instantly. I was ill for a couple of hours afterwards, and skipped dinner. It wasn't motion sickness, just a full on panic-filled claustrophobic attack. It is safe to say I will never-ever-ever-ever go on that ride again. Never. Ever. 

Happy Birthday To Samuel!

In eight more minutes (because I have to wait for California time) thirty-six years ago, I became a mother.

This guy was the joy of my life and made me so happy! Thank you, Samuel, for letting me become a mother.

Busch Gardens

After coming back from our stay in the Bahamas, we headed over to Tampa and went to Busch Gardens. It took a little time getting through the turnstile and this is why-

for those who have an annual pass, they have to put their right index finger on this scanner to make sure they are who they say they are. 

We had a food pass which allowed us to eat for free all day. This guy was hoping to share our breakfast. 

The flamingos were so pink. That's a lot of shrimp to keep them that pink. 

This one is for you, Karen. 

We were told these guys haven't eaten since November because they are in a state of hibernation. However, when we came back this way at the end of the day, they had left. So it must not be a complete hibernation unless they sleep-walk. 

The ice skating show

These were for sale in the gift shop. I took a picture because they were cool and I wanted to remember what they looked like for the day when I have nothing else to do and want to make some for my house. 

Isn't she a cutie? She's feeding the birds some nectar. Isn't it interesting how people pay to feed the birds and animals so Busch doesn't have to? The kangaroos get the same treatment. 

It was rather cold on this day so we avoided all water rides. 

We also avoided all upside-down rides. 

At the very beginning of the day, my camera was whining about being low on battery. I turned it off after every picture I took, and kept squeezing "just one more" picture out of it. 

This guy is no laughing matter. 

We took advantage of our food ticket. Here we are just having a dessert snack to hold us over between a huge lunch and a huge dinner. I really need to start my diet now.