I first traveled to Disney World (back when there was only Magic Kingdom and Epcot) as my high school graduation present in 1987, and visited the park with just my mom. She and I both fell in love with the Magic Kingdom on that very first trip. We only spent one day at the park while my brother and dad went to Epcot, which was not nearly as entertaining as it is today, and my brother does NOT remember the trip fondly. We stayed from park open until park closing, enjoying everything. My mom did not ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or Space Mountain, but she DID ride Haunted Mansion with me a record 23 times in one day - a feat I have yet to duplicate.
After she started getting sick in September 2015, I offered to take her back to Disney World and even push her in a wheelchair if need be, and she seriously considered it at one point, but she felt like it would just be too much. I really wish she'd been able to experience it again.
Hayley and I took this trip with a photo of mom; she was going to ride all of the rides she had always wanted to go back and experience. It was a trip I will always remember with fondness. I love you and miss you, mom. I wish you had been with us in more than just spirit.
So, as it has been almost a year and a half since Hayley and I took this trip, I wanted to post some of our photos. It was a wonderful time. Hayley Moore, I apologize in advance. I know you don't like some of these photos, but I do. <3
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| Early morning flight |
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| Disney's Caribbean Resort - a very large, moderately priced property. It was a far walk to everything, but our room was close to the main entrance. |
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| Our room - pretty simple. I prefer Port Orleans Riverside by far. |
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| Mom's first stop: Epcot |
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| Test Track |
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| It was a very chilly trip around the Test Track outdoor track! |
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| My lovely child at Epcot. |
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| Street performers in Epcot (Italy pavilion) |
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| Lunch at Katsura Grill (Japan pavilion) |
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| France pavilion We loved that everything was still decorated for Christmas in early January! |
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| Tribute bands perform at the England pavilion |
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| Hayley's favorite slow ride - Living with the Land |
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| Night view of Spaceship Earth |
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| My favorite photo of us was from Spaceship Earth |
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| Us as part of the ride, lol! |
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| Back at Magic Kingdom |
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| Teacups! |
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| Teacup spinnnnnnnnn... |
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| Space Mountain at last! |
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| Space Mountain beauty! |
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| Who doesn't love the Haunted Mansion? |
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| Good memories of riding Pirates of the Caribbean with my mom - we loved it |
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| Pirate wenches |
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| Big Thunder Mountain Railroad |
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| Splash Mountain |
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| Extra Fast Passes because they had to shut down Space Mountain while we were in the seats waiting to start the ride on our second time around. Woo hoo! |
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| A well-hidden performer |
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| In line for Expedition:Everest |
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| Random surprised guy behind us in line, lol! |
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| Silverback gorilla on the walking safari |
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| Love this show! |
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| Delicious lunch at Yak & Yeti - a great restaurant! I believe we had bang bang shrimp (middle), sweet and sour shrimp and combination fried rice. All delicious! |
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| Splash Mountain possums |
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| And Splash Mountain buzzards |
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| Haunted Mansion - stretching room |
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| Cinderella's castle dressed with icicles |
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| Boat ride from Port Orleans Riverside to Downtown Disney |
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| Inside Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar - Downtown Disney |
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| Dinner at Morimoto Asia - Downtown Disney |
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| Sake sangria is delicious! |
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| Shuimai |
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| Two desserts: Chocolate cream and crunch (Hayley's-top), and Cream Caramel |
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| A rainy day at Animal Kingdom to ride Expedition:Everest |
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| Everybody's covered! |
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| It was wet and fun! |
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| Back to Yak & Yeti because it was so good! |
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| Honey Chicken |
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| Firecracker Shrimp |
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| Hollywood Studios - Rockin' Roller Coaster |
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| Tower of Terror - yay! |
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| Hollywood Studios at night |
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| Inside the Tower of Terror lobby |
The end...see ya real soon!
