Springing Into the New Year

This New Year's Eve I said my goodbyes to Disney Springs and one of my closest friends, Anna. 

We met at Morimoto in Disney Springs. 

Some of Anna's work friends were there to celebrate New Year's Eve too.After a bite to eat we headed out. 

But not before we circled Ghiradelli just to score free chocolate samples. 

Then we all jumped aboard a bus to the Polynesian resort. I bought myself a spiky pineapple cocktail and watched the Magic Kingdom fireworks. There was even a countdown in the sky. 

We all squeezed our way into a bus back to Disney Springs. Most places appeared to be closed, but Paradiso 37 was still kicking. The only problem? It was a ticketed event. 

But when has that stopped me dancing? One of Anna's friends asked a security guard if we could dance. He turned to another worker who looked at the time and gave the nod. We were in. We were dancing and having one of the best New Year's Eves. 

Then before we knew it the night was over. 

When I moved into Chatham apartment 22103 on 13 January, 2015 I had no idea I would become such good friends with my crazy Kiwi roommate. But now it's over a year later and I'm sitting in Miami missing my old roommate and travel buddy. 

I miss our chats, your advice, making crazy plans and pretending to try to lose weight together. 

Stay awesome, my beautiful friend. xo

What Is This?

Magic Kingdom was the place to be on Christmas Eve, well, it was for me. I had already spent half the day there, but there was plenty more to see and do. 

First there were a few shows to watch. A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas was more dorky and awesome than I could've dreamed. 

The moves were fresh... out of the '90s. 

One audience member described the dancers as "crisp". He was not wrong. 

After that funky dance show I headed over for the Celebrate the Season Stage Show on the castle stage. 

Those moves were classic and clean. 

There was a little Nutcracker portion.

After the extravaganza Elsa decided to light it up. 

Sarah joined me and we watched Celebrate the Magic. 

While watching Holiday Wishes a boy who was around 12, who may have had developmental issues tapped me on my shoulder. It was just after Jiminy Cricket mentioned Santa in his narration. The boy was so excited, "Santa's coming! Santa's coming!" I started clapping and cheering too. 

I met Anna and Elsa for the first time in like, ever. 

We jumped aboard the Jingle Cruise. 

Then took a stroll through Ye Old Christmas Shoppe before watching the Electrical Parade pass by as the clock struck midnight.

Our first plans for Christmas? The Carousel of Progress. 

The slowest moving Disney ride of all. 

Sarah and I were the only people spending early Christmas morning with the family representing years past. We couldn't spend the holiday with our own families, so we spent it with our animatronic family.

There was even a slight glitch and we experienced most of the Christmas part again. 

Maybe it wasn't a glitch, maybe it was a magical moment. It gave us time to find hidden Mickeys. 

The People Mover took off at lightning slow speeds around Tomorrowland. Slow enough to allow us to acknowledge our fans below. 

We snapped a few photos in front of the Christmas tree. 

Then read a Christmas tale. 

Our time at the Magic Kingdom was over, but, Christmas had just begun. Sarah and I picked up Kyra and had super early Christmas breakfast at IHOP. Aside from eating and drinking our toasted marshmallow hot chocolates 

we decided to assign Toy Story characters to different positions at Pizza Planet. And we rewatched A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas. It felt like we'd watched it a day or two ago. 

It was then time for bed before continuing Christmas the next day at Universal Studios.