Hi folks!
Ya...
So...
The title says it all!
This is us at the parks, no holds barred. Thank you again to Food Blog Forum for this amazing once in a lifetime opportunity. As you are about to see we do not get out much. When we do its complete chaos!
For those of you who complain you never see pictures of me, this should make you want to never ask again. It's not a pretty sight after a week of no sleep due to snorers r us!
Okay so I snored too...
Whatever!!!
This is the beginning of the end for Disney. The Bee family descends.
We saw Muppet Vision 3-D which was awesome!
Mini-me and B-Dude have some sibling rivalry fun! Is stepping on toes legal? Judge says YES!
Star Tours rocked, we went on repeatedly! Indiana Jones was a ton of fun!
If you want to see your volunteer camera taker and Woody laugh like crazy just ask "should I grab Woody's a**" right before the picture. Fun for the whole family!
Animal Kingdom is beautiful! It was unprepared for what would happen next!
Yup, the Bee family enters and all heck breaks loose!
This is one example of why us going out in public is a REALLY bad idea!
This would be another example!
These were moments of pure joy! We took photos with characters for hours!
I mean who wouldn't??
It's just so much fun!
Even Daisy got in on the fun. The guys might have gotten her digits!
Which totally justifies us girls shamelessly flirting with Chip n Dale. The highlight of my trip was these two doing a skit with my cell phone. Funniest, most memorable part of Disney for me!
We did behave normally on occasion. Like on the Express. Okay total lie, but it was worth a shot!
I mean what fun is normal anyway right!
Sometimes you just gotta let loose and have a few giggles!
Doing the Safari at Animal Kingdom is a blast. If you go you must do it! It may have been the only time we behaved like adults. Pfftt!
That wraps up the photo tour of Walt Disney World. I actually didn't take any pics of Epcot or Magic Kingdom. We did get one from Disney while on the Aerosmith coaster but I've actually sent it to Ellen so who knows you may just see the Lunatic family on there in their proudest moment. *hysterical laughter*
So to recap:
Epcot- we didn't do much there. The conference was there so I did see it. It's beautiful. We had fireworks there for the conference as well. The fam got fish n chips in England while I was at the dessert party and were kind enough to bring me some after I was done. It rocked. However the Coke that accompanied it was vile! You know me and Coke, not a fan.
Magic Kingdom- we did this and it's quite fun. The kids did Splash Mountain, we all did the Haunted Mansion. Pirates of the Caribbean was our first ride all together so it holds a special place in my heart. The Cinderella Castle lights up at night so if you have little ones make sure they see it, it's very cool. The Electrical Parade was stellar. As were the fireworks, they were beyond impressive. Do make sure you set aside time to do the fireworks at night.
Animal Kingdom- We did Expedition Everest which I thought was okay but not as big as the hype. The wait time is killer for it so get fast passes for this one! Kilimanjaro Safari was worth it, it is incredible to see the animals up close and the guide rocks at entertaining you. Dinosaur was oodles of fun and unexpected really, loved it. Primevil Whirl was so much fun and whips you around in ways you do not anticipate. Such a riot! The Tree of Life is beautiful, you must see it! The Wildlife Express was okay but you could do this kind of thing at any zoo. But it did have Rafiki so the kids were happy. The Oasis Exhibits along the paths were great. The Giant Anteater made a wonderful appearance for us. Animal Kingdom also has Camp Mickey-Minnie Greeting Trail where you can take tons of pics with characters. There is also random ones who show up which is quite fun so don't miss the opportunity to take shots with them when you see them!
Hollywood Studios- This park is a bucket full of fun. It ties with Animal Kingdom for me. I can not rave enough about the Rock n Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith. It scared the heck out of me and I wanted to run out of there when I saw that thing shoot off while in line. But I held it together and went on. This resulted in the funniest picture of us ever. We also did the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror repeatedly. I mean the first time I'll admit I was scared, I hate to admit I was the poster girl for the warning sign of people who should NOT ride this ride. But I threw caution to the wind and went on anyway. I just gave my medical history to mini-me before it started. It terrified me, but oh my goodness it is so much fun. So we went on a gazillion more times. By the end I could actually keep my eyes open through the whole thing. Star Tours we absolutely loved and went on again and again. Hubs picture even made it on the screen one time as the "rebel spy", so funny! Indiana Jones was interesting and worth a look. Muppet Vision 3-D is a riot and I loved it immensely! The pizza at Pizza Planet was very good, if you have youngsters it's a good place to take them.
So as a whole I have to say I loved every single minute of this vacation. I know I kid and joke but the bottom line is we had a blast. It was the trip of a lifetime for us. We had not been on vacation in 8 years and none of us had ever been to Disney before. So it really was a magical experience. I would love to go back when I am not working and spend more time in the parks. So Disney if you're reading this "call me"!!!
If you get the opportunity to stay at a Disney Resort the Polynesian Resort is AH-MAH-ZING! I mean out of this world. It is right on the monorail so transportation is easy peasy. It also has access to the boat to take you to the park. Buses are another easy and quick option. It has some great gift shops that have some wonderful cooking items. I could have went nuts in there. Also make sure you go to one of the restaurants and get a Dole Whip. It will change your life. No joke!
The Polynesian Resort: Such a cool hotel. It's the closest we've come to getting mini-me near Hawaii which is where her real name comes from.
We stayed an extra night at Pop Century Resort. It is one of the value resorts but it was great. Such a fun atmosphere there. We stayed in the 50's building which had a water view (I believe it was a huge pond but it was water) and was very quiet. I really quite liked it there. Parking is super close by. You can also catch buses to the park right from the hotel.
Pop Century Resort: Wonderful place to stay. Affordable, cute, kitschy, and quiet! I did not steal a facecloth dog from this hotel no matter what you hear to the contrary!
I hope you enjoyed this little Disney wrap up. I cannot thank Food Blog Forum and Walt Disney World Resort enough for allowing me to take my family on the trip of a lifetime. It is something none of us will ever forget. You changed our lives and gave us memories that will last forever. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!
PS.
Check out Road Trip 101 with the Bee Family: Part 1 of 3 from FBF's Orlando Conference
And stay tuned for Conference 101 with the Lunatic tomorrow! It's sure to be fun and have some surprises for you!
All photos and content are the property of Cravings of a Lunatic. Using any portion of it is copyright infringement. You may link to the post but any unauthorized use is plagarism. Please don't make me smack you with a big stick! That is all!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
Love that y'all had such a great time at the theme parks!! Wahoo 🙂
Kim Bee
It was such a blast. I want to go back so badly.
Christine
Glad you all had fun. Thanks for sharing all the awesome photos.
Kim Bee
Thanks Christine. It was so much fun.
Anita at Hungry Couple
I'm slightly troubled by Daisy Duck's behavior but otherwise it all looks like normal vacation fun to me. I mean, after all, if you can't try on funny hats at the funny hat store than why bother going?! Seriously, I'm glad you had such a marvelous time.
Kim Bee
Lol I know right. She is flirting up a storm. But it's okay cuz Chip n Dale did the same with us so it's all good. Oh man we had a blast and made total fools of ourselves but you just gotta go for it at Disney.
Kiri W.
Wow, looks like you had an awesome time!
And the hat problem... let's just say there's a picture of me wearing a Elvis plastic head from the eyebrows up. And my chin is so very convincingly Elvis. Sigh.
Kim Bee
We really did, it was so amazing. I feel like a new person. Really needed that getaway more than I thought.
Lol, that is hilarious. I am a hat gal so this kind of thing is right up my alley.
Peggy
I actually lived an hour away from Orlando when I was 19 and have never been to Disney! Can you believe it?! You guys looked like you had a complete blast!
Kim Bee
Omg you are nutty. I would be there every day if I lived near it. It's such a cool place. So have you been now? Or are you a non-ride kind of gal? We had so much fun. It was the trip of a lifetime.
katie
Great recap on the parks! Looks like y'all enjoyed them.
Kim Bee
We had so much fun Katie. I just loved Disney. It's like a whole different world.
Ramona
What fun, fun, fun!! Awwww... I wish I could have been then and joined all the fun. 🙂 I promised my kids we'll take them down there too.... Your family looked like they had a blast and that's exactly what you're supposed to do when you're on vacation at the "happiest place on earth" 🙂
Kim Bee
Maybe we can pick you up if we go next year. Lol. It was so much fun. Your kids would love it. There are endless things to do there. It was a total blast. I only heard one worker complain while we were there. Most of the employees seem as happy as can be. It's such a cool environment.
balvinder ( Neetu)
Disney is so fun, I found out recently when we went there on Valentine's day.
Kim Bee
Aw what a nice way to spend Valentine's Day. It is magical. It is a trip I will never forget.
Tes
What a fun post 🙂 I really love to go there some day 🙂
Kim Bee
Thanks Tes. It was a blast. I highly recommend it once in your life. So much fun!
Katie {Epicurean Mom}
Looks like such fun!!! I so so wish I could have gone!
Kim Bee
We really did. You have to come next year. xx
Jen at The Three Little Piglets
The characters are the best part! We have so many great memories of our kids seeing their favorites. I'm so glad you guys had a great time and made it home safely.
Kim Bee
It was such a riot. I have to say the characters were one of the best parts of it. Long trip but worth the effort.
Cucina49
I doubt you looked like tools--and I'm sure there were people behaving much more outrageously!
Kim Bee
Oh we totally did but I'm totally okay with it. Lol.
Dara
Oh my God I love your photos. Your family looks as zany as you are! Thanks for sharing this all with us.
Kim Bee
Yup, we have some issues. But it sure allows us to have tons of fun. This is a trip we won't ever forget.
missymaki
Haha! You are having SO much fun! What a great post!
Kim Bee
Thanks. We like to let loose. Maybe a bit too much. Lol!
Dee at Deelicious Sweets
We go to Orlando almost every year. Our favorite park is Animal Kingdom. So fun! Great pictures. Looks like you guys had a blast. Are you allowed to come back though? 🙂
Kim Bee
You are so lucky. I'm 43 and this was my first time there. Loved Animal Kingdom. It was a total riot. I don't think we can go back, something about a 50 feet distance between me and Daisy at all times.
Emily @ Life on Food
I love Disney. It is the best place to really live it up. Glad that your whole family had a great time.
Kim Bee
Thanks so much. It was such a riot. I want to go back already.
Ann
What a fun post....I'd love to hand with you in the world! Y'all are fun! I've enjoyed this series and can't wait to see the finale!
Kim Bee
Thanks so much Ann. I was hoping we'd hang more but it was such a hectic weekend.
Valerie @ From Valerie's Kitchen
Great recap Kim. It looks like you guys all had a blast! There really is nothing like Disney is there? I've never been to Orlando but have made several treks to Disneyland in So Cal with our boys when they were younger. It never gets old.
Kim Bee
Thanks Valerie. It really was the trip of a lifetime. I'd love to do the one in California as well. Disney is like a different world. I really enjoyed myself.
Choc Chip Uru
Lols you are so not making tools of yourself - it is called having fun 😀
Love love love how much family awesomeness you had!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Kim Bee
Lol we had tons of fun for sure. It was a laugh riot from the word go.
Hester @ Alchemy in the Kitchen
Looks like the lunatics have broken out of the asylum! Sounds (and looks) like you had a marvellous time. The animal kingdom does look lovely. I made it as far as the Disney car park once, but the 40C heat was too much for my milk white Irish complexion - sense prevailed and I had skip the experience. I cried bitter tears!