It has been 13 very very long years since I last set foot on Walt Disney World property.
After working as a cast member (part of the Disney College Program) for 8 months and being in the parks just about every single day, I never dreamed that I would leave and not return for THIRTEEN years.
When we went to Florida last spring, we very seriously considered going to one of the Disney parks for just one day – but ultimately we decided against it (for a whole plethora of reasons). It was heartbreaking to be so close and yet so far.
Needless to say, when Derrick surprised me at Christmas with a Magic Band and the news that he had not only bought our Disney tickets, but made our park reservations, AND booked our AirBnB, I was quite a bit taken aback.
And I started eagerly counting down the days from that point on.
We went back and forth but ultimately decided to begin our Disney adventure with a day at Animal Kingdom. We knew the kids would absolutely love it and we figured it was the best park to “ease” our way into the “Disney experience” – to get used to the Disney atmosphere, the Disney crowds, learn the Disney app, and figure out how to use Genie+.
And it turned out to be the PERFECT choice.
We spent about 9 hours at Animal Kingdom and did absolutely everything we wanted to do. It was such a wonderful, fun, beautiful day. We have so many happy memories and I’m so thankful we can go back and re-live our memories over and over through my videos and photos!
Of course, what is a post without photos? Here are a few of the highlights of our day both from my iPhone 12 Pro and “big” camera (I have a Canon R6).
Us! And some guy!
Did you miss our “Day 1” post? If so, you can go back & catch the highlights of our day at Sea World Orlando HERE!
Stay tuned! Our day at Magic Kingdom is coming up next!