We surprised Aisya with a week long adventure to Orlando, Florida on Feb 5-12,2011. She had no idea where she was going. Even when we landed, she kept all her questions to herself until she no longer could contain herself. " Why are there buses with the words, Disney Cruise Line on them, Mama? Is Orlando a port? You know what cruises mean Mama? I dont see ships anywhere.."
Finally in the car she saw billboards on Disney World and Universal Studios and Sea World and said,"Look! Disney World! Can we go there?" We finally said,"Surprise!!" I must say she contained her excitement pretty well and only unleashed her emotions once she had confirmed that she was going to go to all the parks in Disney World and was actually skipping school for a whole week!!!
Our first day was to Animal Kingdom and although it started out with rain in the morning we managed to enjoy ourselves tremendously at this small park. Aisya had her first roller coaster ride up the Mount Everest and encountered the Yeti. Unfortunately, she was scared out of her wits and swore off roller coaster rides! Yes, our first mistake as parents...hahhaha! Aisya passed out in the car on the way back to the resort and didnt wake up till the next morning!
Our second day was to Universal Studios and I was so excited because I was finally going to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!!! My excitement was infectious and both Aisya and John equally enjoyed that part of the park. It was beyond amazing. It was as if you were in Hogswart and Hogsmeade and was just a mere muggle enjoying a day in Potter Land. I had only two things that I wanted to do: to drink the butterbeer and to get my own wand. The butterbeer was delightful - frothy and sweet, almost like rootbeer float. Yet it was not. I have forgotten what butterbeer is made of but I had three of those that day! We also shared Pumpkin Juice and that too was great! Now the wand - I insisted that the wand would have to choose ME and it did! My wand is made of oak and is rather crooked and has a ruby marble for a handle. Aisya wanted Hermione Granger's and John had gotten Voldermort's wands.
Of course, besides that we also had fun at various other parts of Universal Studios like the Superheroes City, Seuss Landing, Jurassic Park and The Lost Continent. Unfortunately it rained towards the end of the day so we decided to leave the park early. Again, Aisya passed out and didnt wake up till the next morning. No dinner again for her!
The third and fourth day were spent at The Magic Kingdom where the weather was uncooperative the first day but was excellent on the second and these were Aisya's days. She dressed as Belle the first day and on the second day as Cinderella. She overcame her fears of roller coasters and went again and again on the Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Railroad and Goofy's Barnstorm. She danced with the characters and enjoyed the parades and met Tinkerbell and her fairy friends in Pixie Hollow, met Rapunzel and Flynn, Pocahontas,Fairy Godmother, Mary Poppins, and ate and ate and ate popcorn. The fireworks were as always beautiful and calming and all three of us were quite sad to leave Magic Kingdom.
Our last visit to Disney World was to Hollywood Studios. It rained almost all morning and by the time John and I decided to get ponchos, we were quite drenched. Aisya had a raincoat so she was dry. The highlight in the park was when she participated in the Jedi training show. 10 children "trained" with the Obi-Wan and then in the show, Darth Vader appeared and each little Jedi in training (Padawan) got to duel with him. Our little serious Padawan did a great job remembering her moves. All the parents were so very proud and secretly wished for sure that they were the ones duelling Darth Vader instead!
The last day in Orlando was spent in Downtown Disney and at the resort. Marriot Grande Vista Resort was very comfortable and was a great home away from home. The food in Orlando was atrocious. John had said that as soon as we are back in Chicago, he was going to get home cooked food immediately. Well, that settles that!
Aisya was very sad to leave for Chicago on Saturday and till today still wants to know when we can go back again to Disney World. We shall go back some day. In the meantime, please enjoy some of the pictures that I have posted.
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