Honeymoon Part 1: WALT DISNEY WORLD

Matt and I had a two-part honeymoon….When we first started planning, I really wanted to go on a cruise and Matt really wanted to go to Disney….He was apprehensive of a cruise because he had never been on one, and I was apprehensive of Disney because of the numerous amounts of people/children….So what did we do? We saved and did BOTH! That’s right – 4 nights/5 days at Disney and then an 8 day cruise! Therefore, the honeymoon blog will be two posts…and I’ll start with Part 1 of the honeymoon – WALT DISNEY WORLD!!!

TUESDAY:

Tuesday morning, 8/11, Matt and I drove from Destin to Orlando. It was about a 6 hour drive, but it wasn’t too bad, we actually had a lot of time to talk – and of course discuss what we remember from going to Walt Disney World as kiddos! We arrived around 2 pm. We were staying at the Disney Contemporary Resort – but little did I know that Matt had upgraded us to the COCIERGE LEVEL! Oh my gosh – I can’t say anything except – it was such an awesome surprise and so nice!!! We had to enter our cards into the elevator to even get up there…and then there was free appetizers and beverages every day- which we took advantage of and always missed the daily Florida rain shower! Also – the people there were so nice and answered all of our questions – it was AWESOME! Shortly after our bags arrived to our room, so did a cookie cake with Mickey on it and a note from Kelly’s parents! So yummy! Then Matt and I got ready and hit the bus to head out to Downtown Disney for a little sight-seeing and shopping! We ended up getting a Christmas ornament there for our tree!!!

That night we got all dressed up and ate dinner at the California Grill. It is located on the top floor of the Contemporary. We were also able to stand out on their balcony and watch the fireworks going on at the Magic Kingdom!

WEDNESDAY:

Wednesday morning we were up bright and early…seriously at like 5:45!!! Why you might ask…Because Animal Kingdom was opening early and Matt and I had been told to get on the Safari as soon as possible in the morning to see all the animals!!! So we got to Animal Kingdom well before they opened and then we were chosen with only 6 others to be on the first Safari ride! That’s right a ride that normally holds about 40+ people and takes only about 15 minutes was for us a ride of only 8 people and it took 45 minutes and we saw every stinkin’ animal they had there!!! It was AWESOME! We spent the rest of the morning watching the Lion King show, watching Nemo the Musical, Kelly rode Everest twice, eating at Yak and Yeti (best meal EVER – oh that ice cream sundae), waiting 2 hours for a water ride (ask Matt about it), watching A Bug’s Life, getting autographs with Pluto and Goofy, and going on all the nature trails. We had a blast.

We then went back to the hotel and got changed and dressed and spent the evening at the Magic Kingdom. We rode It’s A Small World and Haunted Mansion – then caught the SpectroMagic parade with GREAT seats…and then moved to right in front of the castle where we watched the fireworks show “Wishes” and we got to see Tinkerbell fly from the castle to behind main street! We ended the night with room service.

THURSDAY:

Wednesday morning we woke up and got ready for CHEF MICKEY’S – which is breakfast with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, and Donald! Then it was off on the monorail to Epcot!

Matt and I went straight to TEST TRACK – one of Matt’s favorite rides. We got 2 fast passes for later in the day, and then jumped right in line anyways! After that it was off to Nemo Under the Seas and lunch in the aquarium restaurant – oh my gosh once again, delicious! Then Matt went back to Test Track to ride it 3 times in a row while Kelly went and rode some new ride – planet Earth (which she didn’t love). Then they hit the countries…First up was Matt’s favorite – Canada…where we watched on circle-vision O’ CANADA (apparently re-made with Martin Short). Then all the other countries…stopping mainly in America for a break and then Germany for some shopping! They ended their time at Epcot by doing the big giant ball ride!

Wednesday night we headed to MGM Studios/Hollywood Studios to watch a show Kelly’s parents had told them about “FANTASMIC.” They got there at 7:00 for a show that started at 10:00 pm and they were already the 4,000 person in line! Thank goodness it is a stadium that seats 13,000! The show was absolutely phenomenal! At the end they raced to go do the Toy Story ride – which both loved and Matt votes as his favorite ride at Disney!

FRIDAY:

Friday was spent completely and totally only at the MAGIC KINGDOM! We got there before it opened and were able to see everyone arrive on the train and watch the grand opening of the Magic Kingdom! It was so much fun – neither one of us knew there was an opening show!!!
We did so much in the Magic Kingdom….saw 2 parades…rode Haunted Mansion (seven times – looking for those crazy hidden mickey’s), Peter Pan (twice), Pirates of the Caribbean (at least 3 times) Stitch ride (once), Monster Laugh show, Dumbo (once – great views), got autographs!!!, ate at the American place, and then after going back to the hotel to do some laundry and pack up for part 2 of the honeymoon, the cruise, Matt and Kelly headed back to the Magic Kingdom that night!

SATURDAY:

Saturday morning it was time to pack up and head out to Cape Canaveral and jump on board the Carnival Glory. So we called the bellhop, Matt brought the car around, we grabbed some snacks and hit the road.

TO BE CONTINUED WITH PART 2 OF THE HONEYMOON…..