Disney's Magic

Thanks to my readers, this blog has recently been funded to continue service for a couple more weeks. Thanks for reading!

As for my free days in the happiest place on earth, it's incredible! To be honest, the experiences I have already encountered are having a very large impact on my life. I feel I am maturing and growing in a way I would have never been able to in Kansas. The people I am meeting and impacting on this trip really helps me to know that everyone in life has a purpose, and the job I have down here is the most rewarding experience I could ever go through. I have been reminded that Disney World is not only a place for people to share memories with loved ones on vacation but a place for people spending their last wish in life. I know that there are people who aren't as fortunate as I am and those who are sick who come down here on a gift from someone else's back to experience the magic Disney has to offer. However, I don't see those people as much as I see the general public and people under twelve.

The reaction I see on children's faces is very touching. It's great to see them wait in line to meet their favorite Disney character, shake the hand of their movie star, and hug their hero. During the parades and shows, the music plays, the fireworks shoot, the million dollar checks go out to pay for all of it, and the parents and children alike enjoy watching every character go by whether they are portrayed as good or evil. I personally love the music! I can't really explain it, but perhaps it's because music is my passion. The kids dance to the music and the parents are proud to know they brought their children to a great place.

The smiles on the parent's faces only help to add to the Disney magic, and it helps me to be very thankful of the parents I have. It was my parents who payed for my way to come down here. It was my parents who taught me how to be social and make the friends I have. It was my parents who sacrificed their free-time to work so I could have a good life. It was my parents who loved me when I was up and when I was down. I wanted to dedicate this post to them, because they are a big part of my life. I know them as my family and my friends, and I understand not everyone has that relationship with their parents. I also know that not everyone's parents have had the same experiences mine have, but it only makes me love them more for being strong and supportive.

This trip to Disney, although it's been less than a week, has helped to morph my life into an enriched one filled with promise and endless learning. In conclusion, I want to make a shout out to my parents, "I love you, thanks for everything."

One Day In

Wednesday; Check-in:

So after one day, I'm still exhausted! Zak and I woke up at 7:45 am so we could make it to check-in with plenty of time for beating the crowd when check-in is scheduled to start at 9. When we arrived, they started an hour early and people were already moving in. It was good news because we didn't have to stand around and wait for check-in to start.

We finished for the day around 3 pm. However, we had like a two hour break between check-in and our first meeting, so we got lunch. After our meeting finished, we came to our room and just chilled. It's great having a free day in this area; there is beautiful weather, beautiful girls, and some other beautiful stuff.

I have met a lot of really great people already and spent the evening with a group of about 7 people. We played basketball, explored the apartment complex, watched Borat, and hit up the pool and hot tub! One of the girls in the group was very pretty, and I can't wait to take her out...

Moving on.

Two Days Before the Day After Tomorrow:

Today's schedule was more laid back, and we didn't have as many things to accomplish. Zak and I both had to wake up early, again, so we could make it to our first meeting. However, we finished at 10 am and have been relaxing since then. We are about to play the Simpson's Game, so I will be leaving! Enjoy your day, where ever you are!

P.S. - I have to wake up around 6:15 am Eastern Time tomorrow for our final day of check-in! I'm not going to survive this trip...

The good news is that I have the weekend off to visit all the parks for free. I officially start my work training on Monday, then I am in the park working on Friday. I'll be up at 7:30 am everyday next week and ending at 5. It's like working the paint crew again.

Correction:

Today's Men in Black high scores are as follows:

Joel: 478,075 points
Lori: 266,317 points (a huge improvement but still learning)

My mom says she's on a lucky trip because she's found six pennies; I just think she's trying to compensate for the plane tickets.

P.S. - Today's temperature was 82 degrees; we over-dressed in short sleeves and jeans.

It All Starts..

As many of you have guessed, I have been very busy in preparing for my move to Orlando Florida. Aside from the packing, motherly nagging and anxiety, this trip has one of the best ever, and I've only been here a day!

The airplane ride was very short flight; we weren't able to finish Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. (Three coins in a fountain...) Plus, the weather here is unbeatable!

The picture above is me at Orlando's busy airport. It's a very unique travel zone because they have trams that run you around the airport. The picture to the right is of me on the tram going to baggage claim.

For the first full day my mother and I have been here (1/21), we spent over 10 hours in the Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks. Let me tell you, it was one H-E-double hockey sticks of a walk! It was nearly a mile just to walk from the parking garage to the parks.

(The pictures below are of me at Downtown Disney which is a few blocks from where I'll be living. I thought these were some real meaningful shirts.)

At these parks we rode a plethora of rides ranging from Spider-man to Dueling Dragons, Men in Black to Jurassic Park, and E.T. to Twister. Men in Black is a shoot 'em up where you roam around the city shooting aliens. It's great! My high score of the day was 275,725 points, while my mom's was a whopping 70,000 points; she's still learning. They also include several shows we had a chance to see live such as Animal Planet, Fear Factor, Horror Show, and Sinbad's 8th Voyage. Plus, I caught a glimpse of the new Simpson's ride they have coming this spring. I also took my picture with several famous individuals such as Wolverine, The Grinch, Captain America, and Cyclops. (See image of me looking daring and action packed!)

After a day like today, starting at 7:30 am, walking across the state of Florida, and riding intense rides, I am exhausted. So, to all my anxious readers (the two of them: Robert and Madison), I will be posting very shortly when I move into the Disney apartments and the real journey begins!