Spring at WDW

 

Two weeks ago, Bryan went out to Florida to attend training for his new job. Jennifer flew out on last Friday to visit him and WDW. Some of their friends from University of Portland were also in the area, so on Saturday they all hung out at Magic Kingdom. On Sunday they went to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

Monday they spent the morning at Animal Kingdom, then went back to the Studios in the evening, and visited with Starlord and Groot.

Tuesday they had breakfast at Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, then spent more time in Epcot.

They stayed at Old Key West the first two nights, then moved to the Riverside resort. Wednesday they spent the morning in Magic Kingdom, then spent the afternoon at the pool. In the evening they took the boat to Disney Springs, and had drinks at the Edison.

Spring Update

Soon after we bought our home in Bend, Susan got involved with the homeowner's association, and was elected President. We like our neighborhood because it has a nice park with a pool. For Easter, we helped put on an Easter egg hunt in the park.

 

Last month the kids attended the annual banquet for their business fraternity at University of Portland. Bryan has been serving as an advisor since he moved to Portland.

 

Susan and I have been spending a fair amount of time making sure the community pool would be ready to go this summer. We enjoyed using it last summer, but there were problems with non residents or former residents trying to use it, and with residents misusing it.

We don't have much of a backyard, but the dogs can hang out on our patio.

Hollywood

Thursday after work I flew down to Burbank to drive Susan and Jenn back to Oregon. Before we left though, we spent most of Friday looking around Hollywood.

We drove up to the Griffith Observatory and looked around, then headed down to Hollywood Boulevard to see the Walk of the Stars and the Chinese Theater.  

We had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. This was my 25th HRC. We then headed north, stopping in Monterey and Pacific Grove to visit family.

Disneyland

After the cruise, Susan and Jenn spent a few days at Disneyland, meeting characters and enjoying some rides.

Some of Jenn’s Southern Californian friends came to the park to hang out with her.

 

Since they were staying offsite, they parked in the parking garage, where they could see the construction on the new Star Wars Land.

Mexican Riviera Cruise

Last week, while I worked and looked after the dogs, Susan and Jenn drove down to Los Angeles and boarded a four night Princess cruise down to Mexico. They went with some of the women my wife had met through scrapbooking.

Their first stop was in Solvang in California where they took a tour of the Swedish buildings downtown.

The second port of call was Ensenada Mexico. After a day at sea they returned to Los Angeles. 

More Disney World

Thursday we visited the Magic Kindom. Amongst other things, we rode the Peoplemover and were able to see inside Space Mountain with the lights on, as it was undergoing refurbishment.

Friday we spent some time in Hollywood Studios, including checking out the entrance to the future Star Wars Land.

We also enjoyed seeing the models for the new Toy Story Land currently under construction.

As well as the upcoming Star Wars land. We had lunch at Hollywood and Dine, a character buffet. Jenn enjoyed meeting Mickey and friends in their spring outfits. 

That afternoon we checked into a one bedroom villa at Saratoga Springs, and finished giving away the last of Bryan’s furniture. Saturday we returned to Epcot to enjoy some more attractions and the Flower and Garden festival. Yesterday we flew home. 

Diagon Alley

Yesterday we visited the Universal Orlando Resort. We spent most of our time in the new Harry Potter area at the Studios, Diagon Alley. The shops were well themed, and the restaurant, the Leaky Cauldron, was pretty good. 

 

We really enjoyed the train between the Harry Potter areas in the two parks, as well as the Escape from Gringott's attraction. It's a cross between an indoor roller coaster and an omnimover, shifting you between large 3D screens that tell the story of a tour of Gringott's that goes wrong.  

Over in Islands of Adventure, they had closed the Dragon Challenge coaster (the former Dueling Dragons) and started work on a new Harry Potter attraction.

Last night we checked into a DVC villa at the Grand Floridian.