Holidays with Castles and Mice!

The day after Christmas we flew out in the morning to Florida. We knew that it was the busiest week of the year to be at the parks in Orlando, but we do not have many weeks during training that we can leave. So off we went! We had so much fun. Yes, it was crowded, but we made the best of it. 

At the end of the week, we all had so many memories and stories to tell. Last year we rang in the New Year at Hong Kong Disneyland. This year we did it at Disney World!

Lucky Dragon was so excited to see how the cleaners would rearrange their stuffies every time they cleaned. He liked this one of them going on a "water slide."

We really like the Tiana ride. Yes, it is a change from Splash Mountain. But the theming was done really well and the music is fun. It is always a laugh as we watch the two Muggles struggle to not get wet. 

On New Year's Eve we were in the Park until 0100h. 

Koala Bear was tired throughout the end of the New Years Eve. So we went to Carousel of Progress and we rode it three times while she napped. That hour nap gave her the energy to make it for the rest of the night! 

We happened to ride Tiana's ride at the time of fireworks It was such a beautiful experience. We were able to watch from the lazy log ride as the fireworks boomed over the castle. 

At one point the day before New Years, we came out of a show at the same time as another show finished. The effect was thousands of people making a sea of sweat smelling people! It was about then we decided we were done with the parks for that day. 

Lucky Dragon and Koala Bear both made a robot so they can play with them together. It was fun to watch them choose parts and build the robot. 

We wore our Potatoland t-shirts. We had many people comment on them as we walked through the park. The Muggles were so excited to wear them because they love the new "old school style" Mickey Shorts. 

We rode Tower of Terror with the famed TJ! 

Sometimes it is the small details around the Walt Disney Resort that we love. Simple things done really well for us to enjoy. Lucky Dragon was so happy to see the Hidden Mickey made of coins. 

Many of the evenings we watched movies at the hotel or spent time at the pool. Just relaxing time to be together. 

Disney gets their theming right. Lady Hiva and I both laughed at the Animal Kingdom areas themed like India and Nepal. So many details were close to reality. These signs were hidden gems that made us chuckle. We especially liked the "fixed rate" sign and another next to it that read "Special price for tourists" 

We had to make our way the the Polynesian resorts a few times. Usually to eat. It is fun that at this point all of the Polynesians that work there recognize us and come to say hello! Lady Hiva loves it there. It is her self-proclaimed "favorite hotel in the world." We loved that they added a new art piece of framed Tongan Tapa Cloth on the wall.  

 

Character meals are some of our favorite parts of being at the resort. We get to spend time with the characters without the long lines and other pushy people. 

The favorite sign in all of Disney! 

These two are hiding to try and not get wet on Tiana's ride

Spot the hidden squirrel! 

We made the stop in the Coca-Cola store to try all the sodas from around the world. Some were good, others were NASTY. 

It was such a perfect way to start the year. We were so happy to do it. We were all a bit sad to leave and head home. But we now have another year  of adventures ahead.