Disney 2022 - Day Three and Four

Day three of our trip we left Disney and headed over to Universal to check out the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We only had one day to check out Harry Potter World. Universal requires tickets to both parks if you want to ride the Hogwarts Express between the parks. We had our tickets and headed straight to Kings Cross to ride the Hogwarts Express. When we walked up to the the train station we learned that the train was closed for the day. I think I actually cried. I was sad it was closed but also very sad that I spent all the money to have tickets to both parks to ride the train. We were bummed and I mean bummed. The sweet lady that worked there must have seen how bummed we were and she did take us up to Platform 9 3/4 and we got to walk through the wall there! I am still pretty upset about it because I know I will not be going back to Universal again so I missed my chance to ride to Hogwarts. 

We did mange to get to Diagon Alley and step into Harry Potter's world. The details are very cool and I loved seeing it. Hadley got a wand and was able to do some magic around the park. We tried Butterbeer. (I wasn't a fan.) It was nice to stroll around but it was chilly! I was shocked how cold it was for Florida! 

We did walk around Universal some more and then headed over to Island of Adventure to see Hogwarts. Let me tell you - It was so crowded. It was Martin Luther King day so that added to the crowd level. 

Hogwarts Castle 

I really wanted to have a good time at Universal. I was disappointed about Hogwarts Express and I guess that just put a damper on the day for me. 

I did end the day with a Dole Whip! (Number 3 for the trip!) 

The next morning I got up early to buy Genie Plus for our Hollywood Studios day. I wanted to make sure we didn't have to wait in line for Slinky Dog dash. I got that pass for us but not until 4:00. So we had to wait till 11:00 to make our other passes. I am not sure I really understand the best way to work Genie Plus! 

Jennifer wasn't feeling well that morning so the girls and I headed to Hollywood and started our day. 

We started our morning by waiting in line to meet Minnie Mouse. She looked so cute in her red carpet dress! At the time of our trip you had to wear a mask in lines and indoors. 

Minnie looking so pretty! 

We watch a lot of All Ears on YouTube and Molly says that this is one of her favorite snacks. I will agree. We really liked this snack from Baseline Tap House. 10/10 recommend. 

We headed to the Frozen show and it did not disappoint! The host were hilarious and the sing-a-long was fun! 

I loved that it was inside! We had another chilly day. 

For lunch we went to Mama Melrose. The girls love pasta! It was good but we had some long delays due to my order and that was frustrating. 

After lunch we did Toy Story Mania! We kept getting stuck on this but we still had a good time on the ride. As you can tell I am not the best player! But we had a blast. 

We walked over to Slinky Dog and rode that. Thankfully we didn't have to wait in a long line for that! 

We ended the day with Mickey and Minnie Runaway Railway! This might be my favorite ride at Hollywood Studios. It makes me giggle and it is pure JOY! 

The girls and I headed back to our hotel to check on Jennifer. We ate our dinner and Dole Whip in the room and watched the fireworks on our TV. 

Overall it was two great days! I was so sad about the Hogwarts Express but learned that it was down the whole week at Universal. Ending my day with fireworks and a Dole Whip made each day even better! 

xoxo, 

Aunt Moe

Disney 2022 - Day one and two

For Christmas Jennifer and I decided that we should gift experiences instead of gifts. We had such a good time at Disney last February that we decided to try it this year. We looked at the school calendars and picked a week in January. We liked staying at a monorail resort so we booked the Polynesian Resort. They recently updated the rooms to a Moana theme and they have a place to buy Dole Whips. So newly renovated rooms and a Dole Whip everyday - count me in! 

Loaded up and ready to go! I have to admit I was dreading the car ride. I am an anxious traveler. 

We made a few stops along the way. We stopped at a rest area in Georgia that was very nice and we saw Forrest Gump. I got to experience my first Buc-ee's. That is one impressive gas station! 

After about 10 hours in the car we made it to our "home" for the week. 

Aloha! 

On Sunday morning I woke up to this view while my family and friends at home woke up to 10 inches of snow! I was a little sad to miss the snow but happy to have this tropical view for the week. The weather on Sunday was chilly and rainy. We decided to wait for a little bit before we headed into our first park for the trip - Animal Kingdom. 

Three happy girls!

We saw Divine when we walked in. If you look behind us you will see her face! 

Our first stop was The Festival of the Lion King. This is my favorite show at Disney World. Due to covid it has changed some but it was still so good. We all enjoyed it and I cried just a little. 

After the show we went to get lunch. We ate at the Harambe Market. We all liked our food there. We also got a Simba cupcake to enjoy! 

After lunch we headed to the Safari. This is always a must do for me! I love seeing the animals but mostly the lions and the flamingos! 

Sweet girls in front of the Tree of Life.  

After we rode a few rides, played a few games, and ate a few more snacks we left Animal Kingdom for our dinner at Sanaa. Sanaa is at the AK lodge. 

We all thought this meal was delicious! 

Ending our day with a selfie! I am not the best selfie taker and we all got tickled while I tried to figured out how to get us all in the picture. 

Day one was travel and checking in to our resort and Day two was the Animal Kingdom. The next day we left Disney property for another adventure - The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! 

xoxo,

Aunt Moe

Appalachian State Homecoming 2021

 

On a cold October weekend we traveled to Boone for Appalachian State's Homecoming. A few years ago we started going to some App ballgames. The kids love the game, the cheerleaders, and the band. In 2020 we weren't able to go to the games. So this was our first game to attend in two years! 

They recently completed a renovation on the stadium and added a new north end. 

GO MOUNTAINEERS!!

Future Mountaineers! 

One of the girls on the dance team is friends with my assistant. So the girls loved getting to meet her and take a picture! 

College Roommates...26 years later! 

We had a good weekend even in the rain and cold. Boone has a special place in my heart and I love any chance to go! I am hoping that one of the girls (or both) go to App one day! 

xoxo,

Aunt Moe