Molly and went to the airport to go on our first big vacation together.
While we were waiting for our plane…
We grabbed a quick bite to eat…
Before hopping on the plane.
We had a layover in Atlanta…
And we didn’t get to sit togther on the second half of the flight.
But we were together again after the plane landed in Orlando.
Just a short ride from the airport and we’re in Walt Disney World.
We made our way to our resort…
And then to our room.
This is what it looked liked before we junked it up.
The bathroom was big!!
With a separate shower area.
This was the main room and kitchen.
Hidden Mickey.
And another hidden Mickey.
Can you find this hidden Mickey?
We hopped on the boat and headed over to…
Disney Springs (formerly Downtown Disney).
This would have been a fun Christmas card.
We decided to grab a drink and relax…
Before continuing our walk.
Next up we went to dinner with my parents, who were also in Disney.
We ate at Splitsville, a bowling alley and restaurant…
Before heading to see La Nouba Cirque Du Soleil at the venue in the background.
We had seats right on the rail and really enjoyed the performance.
Find the hidden Mickey.
The building in which we saw La Nouba Cirque Du Soleil.
The next morning Molly and my mother went for tea…
While my father and I went grocery shopping.
They had a great time.
And we did, too.
This guy hitched a ride in the car with my father and me.
With our chores done, we headed to the Magic Kingdom to meet them.
They were taking the monorail to get there.
And we were waiting for the boat from Fort Wilderness.
They got there first…
And Molly was excited for her first visit!!!!
Our boat finally came…
And we all met up on Main Street.
I introduced Molly to the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom game.
And we played the game as we walked around.
As annual pass holders my parents get all the photos from rides and professional photographers throughout the parks included…
Which means we have lots of fun pictures like this one…
And this one.
Of course, we took our own pictures, too.
But their photos really do capture the fun.
We took a selfie in front of the castle…
And then Molly had pixie dust applied to her hair.
Find the hidden Mickey.
The Country Bear Jamboree.
We tried to vary what we did in the pictures. The second picture is our attempt at Mickey ears.
We ended up buying a hat like this one for Molly, but not until having searched to make sure that was the one she wanted.
On our way out of the park, Molly played the Sorcerers game again.
We left the park just as the Christmas tree was being lit (It was November 3rd), so we stopped and got a picture.
We headed to the top of the Contemporary to the Top of the World Lounge to watch the sunset and the fireworks.
We had some snacks that served as dinner.
Then headed outside…
To watch the fireworks.
Later that night we bought the hat in Disney Springs.
I know someone who would enjoy this booth.
The next morning we headed over to the ESPN sports complex.
We were in Disney so I could run the Wine and Dine Half Marathon.
I swung by the expo on the way out.
Hey look, just like my shirt!!
From the race expo we headed over to Epcot for the day.
We really enjoyed all the professional photos.
How to get you picture with Daisy Duck without standing in line.
We hit Living with the Land first…
And then went over to Soarin’, which may be my favorite ride at Epcot.
We were there primarily for the Food and Wine fest, so it was time to indulge.
Being goofy in England.
I got to meet Alice, one of my favorite characters.
While my father went to walk their dog, Belle, we went for a walk on the boardwalk and enjoyed some drinks and the view.
Afterwards, it was back to Epcot.
We had so much food on the trip it was kinda’ ridiculous.
We did a wine tasting that wasn’t as good as we expected it to be.
We then went to dinner at The Garden Grill, a revolving restaurant, which is also a character dinner.
We like to match sometimes when we go out.
We caught the fireworks…
And then finished our beers and headed out for the night.
Molly made her hair look like Minnie Mouse ears for our next day out.
Day 3, and Molly’s third park, Animal Kingdom.
My parents met us in the park.
We did the safari first, and Molly got to see a giraffe up close!!
We also rode the roller coaster, Everest.
My father waited and got this great picture of me and Molly when we jumped in the single rider line. We happened to get on the same coaster.
Time for a beer!!
Nice shadow.
We watched the Lion King show.
Molly being goofy with the drums.
You can’t help but have a big smile in Disney World.
Just like in DC.
The polka dot skirt was to try and look more like Minnie Mouse.
Heading in to watch the 3D adventure, A Bugs Life.
We headed back to our resort and had dinner…
And then met up with Kelli and Sarah. Kelli was running the race, too.
This was the next morning at 4am waiting for the start of the half marathon.
Like my Gatorade pillow?
The race was about to start!!!
There were plenty of photographers during the race that started in darkness, and ended just after dawn.
Hooray, all done!!!
Everyone came to the finish line to meet me!!
Kelli had run the 10K the day before, so she got two medals…
Which makes three if you include the 10K medal.
Afterwards we did breakfast at Olivia’s in Old Key West.
It was Sunday, so Molly and I headed to Splitsville…
And enjoyed drinks and food during the Ravens game.
The Ravens beat the Steelers.
I took a nap afterwards, and then later that night we went to the race after-party at Epcot.
Kelli and Sarah were there, too, and we all hung out together.
Molly doing her “I’m having a great time” dance.
Trying to get the Epcot ball in the background.
We found a nice quiet area to sit, talk, and have a few drinks.
Craft beer, yeah, I think we found our place.
Sure, I’ll try 6 different beers.
All 6 of us went and did Soarin’.
Like my shirt?
Another day, and another new park for Molly.
It was a whirlwind of a vacation, and we did a lot!!
We had some lunch…
And then notcied how Disney was making good use of the Star Wars franchise.
Rides…
Rides…
And more rides.
We did the Indiana Jones show…
And then took the boat back to Epcot for some…
Drinks…
And more drinks.
The water was hopping over her.
There are a lot of perks to being a Disney Vacation Club member including a private lounge in Epcot.
But we wanted to have more food and wine!!!!
Just like how Molly spells her name.
We listened to Boys II Men play…
And then got some more beer.
The next day we headed back to Epcot.
Molly has been saying “ride all the rides” for years… so we rode another ride.
We then met up with my parents for a beer/wine food pairing.
It was a 1.5 hour drink and food fest.
We had a LOT to drink.
These are the beers we had.
Lots of beer, wine, and food.
Afterwards, everyone was feeling chummy.
After all the drinking, why not have another beer.
We said goodbye to my parents…
And wandered around doing our own thing.
Check out the crazy hair.
We stopped by China…
And then Mexico.
We did the ride in Mexico, because, ya know, ride all the rides.
We also rode The Seas with Nemo & Friends.
My father wanted us to do this ride, but it was closed.
With so many good photos, it was time for some goofy ones.
This was happening that night and Molly was not happy about it.
The next day it was time to head home, so we grabbed some food before heading to the airport…
And had some drinks…
Before hopping on the plane home to end our trip.