Disney World, "The Magic Kingdom"

After a brief visit back home, I traveled from San Diego back to the east coast to spend the holidays with Deb, Steve, Nick and Girlie. One of my birthday gifts this year was a trip to DisneyWorld so we decided to go just before Thanksgiving. We departed Folly Beach, SC for Orlando, FL on Sunday morning, November 21st.

St. Augustine, FL was one of our stops along the way. The old fort was fun, the weather was beautiful, christmas lights were everywhere! We found a great little bistro for dinner. The scallops were delicious and all the while we were entertained by some of the best guitar music and song.

Our next stop...Orlando and the Westgate Village, our home for the next few days. We got a good nights sleep so we could get to the Magic Kingdom early in the morning the next day. Two full days at the park from opening to close at 11pm! It was the best ever!

Girlie and Nana rode the Carousel 8 times in a row! It's Girlie's favorite ride. Nick and Mommy, Deb, were riding Thunder Mountain and Space Mountain while Girlie and Nana rode the magic carpet! The biggest thrill was getting to see Johnny Depp in person...we love him! Because it was late at night and very dark and scary, no one wanted to go to the Haunted Mansion except Nana...it was fun. The second day we went to Huck Finn's Island and explored the caves and mines and had fun climbing around the rocks. We loved the People Mover, the Hall of Presidents and the Carousel of Progress, we laughed a lot at the Monster's Inc. Comedy show and at Big Al at the Country Bear Jamboree. We rode everything!!! Pirates of the Caribbean was a favorite.

We managed to eat a few turkey legs, cotton candy, pineapple shakes...and some assorted other goodies! Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Bars were so creamy and tasty.

One of our other hightlights of the day, beside the parades, was meeting Minnie and Mickey Mouse. Girlie and Nick got to talk with them and get their autograph in their journals. Tigger and Winnie the Pooh also signed their books. We left the park on the Monorail and went back to the Westgate for some rest. We spent the better part of the next day at Downtown Disney at the Lego Store, lunching and have a chocolate sundae at Ghirardelli's, and buying a few Disney gifts for Christmas presents.

Nick and Nana celebrated their 7th and 70th birthdays. We were treated to special badges and all day long people said, "Happy Birthday!"

(pictures to follow)
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