When was this trip planned? I must admit that the thoughts for this trip began in April of 2020 shortly after the COVID pandemic began. But the trip was quite different, and our visit to Disney was originally planned for a portion of our Out West adventure in 2021. And while it remained a part of that plan for many months, due to the restrictions in California, our Disneyland visit was transitioned to a visit to San Diego. An while those days were a great time, I was looking at the ages of the kids, and the Disney dynamic has been slowly slipping away into talks of Universal. But there is a bit of magic that was lingering in the heart of little Ruby, and I knew that if we could make a trip in January, that little bit of magic would infect us all, and thus our trip was planned.
It just takes a spark of inspiration, at the heart of all creation, at the start of 20 22, one little spark, lights up for you! Imagination, Imagination, A dream can be a dream come true, with just that spark, from Ruby Lou.
So off we go...on our 2 week adventure to Orlando. Our first week was a planned virtual school and work week, followed by a week of Disney parks. I must admit that this location was in mind last year when we visited the beach during our virtual school week, but alas there was no money due to the trip out west. Which is somewhat funny as all the money was gone this year, but I guess that's why they invented credit cards, to take your 2023 trip in 2022. We left on this journey on New Years day, and loaded to the top of the van windows, packed up with all these kids in the van. Magan is much more superstitious that you might think, even Sam commented on this realization during this day. But thou shalt have black eyed peas, greens, and ham every year on New Years, thus saith the Magan. So I knew this would be a requirement to find somewhere during our journey on this day.
Our trip down was somewhat uneventful, as the kids watch their movies and shows, Magan sleeps and I drive. I don't remember every gas station we have ever stopped at as Granddaddy might, but to stop at rest areas is an old man trait i picked up from him, and the kids knew that even tho we stopped shortly before the Florida Welcome Center, that we would stop at that stop...because, we must. I was excited to get some "citrus juice" that Davis thought was hilarious for some reason how I described it. "Don't you mean 'orange juice'" he asked? But I told him no, I mean citrus juice, they have both orange and grapefruit, and I love BOTH! But guess what is not opened on a holiday such as New Years Day...the welcome center! So no "citrus juice", no collecting an assortment of the latest Disney pamphlets, no pictures with random faces cut out for tourists...just a stop along the interstate to pee.
Oh well, back in the car. We made it to Ocala for supper where I planned to visit the cracker barrell, where I knew they would have greens and ham. I was not too sure about the peas, and no, they do not have them if you were wondering. Magan had a plate of greens and ham...rather, I think she ate them off my plate, cause she wanted her normal grilled chicken. And shortly after supper, we made it down the 429 toll road down to our new DISNEY home in Windsor Hills.
"Krista’s Tropical Escape is a beautiful 3-Bedroom 3-Bathroom townhome and is perfect for your Orlando Vacation! Enjoy a spacious townhome in the beautiful Windsor Palms Resort. Relax by your private splash pool. Just minutes from the Orlando Area Attractions including Walt Disney World! This spacious townhome home offers you the comforts of home away from home. Tastefully decorated, this home has televisions in every bedroom and a large screen television in the living room. On the first floor is a cozy living room for the family to gather after a long day at the parks. Large sliding glass doors open up to the outdoor space where you can enjoy a dip in the pool or lounge on the deck for some Florida sun.
Next to the living room there is a fully equipped kitchen should you decide to eat in and a dining area for you to enjoy. Also, on the first floor is a bedroom and bathroom. Upstairs there is a master bedroom with a king-sized bed and ensuite. A Second upstairs bedroom with two twin beds and its own ensuite is located next to the laundry area."
And I must say that upon entering this home, and living there for over two weeks, it was definitely our "tropical escape". That evening after settling in, I pulled out the first surprise. I had a pack of 25 Disney pins ordered in bulk from Amazon as "traders" for the kids. They all enjoyed getting to take turns picking the pins that they would begin trading over the next two weeks. I don't think any of these 25 made it into anyone's final pins to bring home, but it is always fun to pick them out at the beginning of the trip. And what about Magan and her superstitions you may ask? She had brought from home a can of black eyed peas, and ate them slowly as the kids traded pins that evening.
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