Double-Digit Extravaganza!! (Part 1 of 3)

Friday, July 10, 2015 by  

Birthday joy, tickets to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Studios, Florida, Orlando, great excitement (3)Birthdays are a big deal in our household. Turning double digits?  Birthday joy, tickets to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Studios, Florida, Orlando, great excitement (2)

Well, that’s just momentous.

These photos are the tickets to an adventure of a lifetime: We took Little One on a Tweendom Extravaganza to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando, Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Titanic Artifact Exhibit, Disney’s Epcot Center, and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to visit Winter & Hope of Dolphin Tale 1 & 2, CoCo Key Water Resort & Mystic Aquarium.

We walked over 120,000 steps – thank you, pedometer – which translates to 52 miles!

In blue are links to Parts 2 & 3 of this story - yes – so remarkable, they deserve their own posts!

To explore the magical world of wizards & wands, chocolate frogs, Butterbeer & Platform 9 3/4, click Part 2: Harry Potter World

To see Winter, the sweet dolphin who lost her tail when she was only 2 months old, click Part 3: Winter & Hope
Animal Kingdom, Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Epcot (2)  Animal Kingdom, Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Epcot (6) Animal Kingdom, Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Epcot (7)

Animal Kingdom, Tree of Life, Rainforest lunch, up close with Little One’s favorite bird, Safari

 Animal Kingdom, Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Epcot (8) Animal Kingdom, Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Epcot (10)

Disney World’s beautiful Main Street and big smiles!

Animal Kingdom, Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Epcot (11) Animal Kingdom, Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Epcot (12) Animal Kingdom, Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Epcot (14)
Cinderella’s castle, reserved birthday spot to see Disney’s Fantasy Parade & meet the characters, Animal Kingdom, Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Epcot (19) Animal Kingdom, Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Epcot (20) Animal Kingdom, Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Epcot (21)
Enjoying Disney’s Ferry Boat ride, power lines on the I-4 – cool!! and Epcot Center

Animal Kingdom, Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Epcot (32)  Animal Kingdom, Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Epcot (33)

Gorgeous Annual Flower Festival at Epcot, Space Center, coral reef cuddles

Animal Kingdom, Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Epcot (24) Animal Kingdom, Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Epcot (27)

Animal Kingdom, Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Epcot (26)  Universal

Animal Kingdom, Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Epcot (36)  Titanic Artifact Exhibit

Dad & Little One enjoying the water resort where we stayed. That slide was insane!

CoCo Key Water Resort Orlando (2) CoCo Key Water Resort Orlando (1)

♥♥♥ And best of all was celebrating at Mystic Aquarium & CoCo Key Water Resort with family & friends. ♥♥♥

Turning 10, birthday party, birthday parties, water resort, fun, laughter, birthday fun (1)  Turning 10, birthday party, birthday parties, water resort, fun, laughter, birthday fun (2) Turning 10, birthday party, birthday parties, water resort, fun, laughter, birthday fun (3) Turning 10, birthday party, birthday parties, water resort, fun, laughter, birthday fun (10) Turning 10, birthday party, birthday parties, water resort, fun, laughter, birthday fun (4) Turning 10, birthday party, birthday parties, water resort, fun, laughter, birthday fun (6)

Turning 10, birthday party, birthday parties, water resort, fun, laughter, birthday fun (12) Turning 10, birthday party, birthday parties, water resort, fun, laughter, birthday fun (15)

bright spot flowerThe Bright Spot – Enjoy the stories of Harry Potter World and Winter & Hope by clicking these blue links…or just keep scrolling, they’re next. We highly recommend both vacation sites!!  🙂


Bianca

Pixie Dust & Dolphin Kisses

Monday, May 2, 2011 by  

Nothing can take the place of wonder & awe in a small child’s eyes.

Think back to a time when everything you believed in was true & sweet & simply pure magic.

3 year old as Cinderella (3 years old)

Our little one just turned 6 ~ celebrate with us in this photo journey and thank you to everyone who has sent such lovely e-mails ~ I have shared every one with her!

It all started with a trip to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique: choice of gown, hair in a princess bun with shimmering pixie dust, a wand, glass slippers, and a beautiful sparkling wishing star.

Cinderella had just finished dancing with Prince Charming…Sleeping Beauty & Snow White. 

Cinderella and Prince Charming Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Cinderella  Bonnet watches stage

The Fairy Godmother greeted Little Petal and her Baby Bambi at the door.

Fairy Godmother with 6 year old                                 Following her gown presentation in the dressing room…

gown and slippers     slippers and wand and crown

Boutique spa  Boutique spa …it was time to transform into a little princess. Hair, nails, the whole royal treatment for Little Petal and her Baby Bambi – who was also sprinkled with pixie dust and given a matching crystal cheek applique.

Then it was time to meet Cinderella and have lunch with her in her castle!

6 year old meets Cinderella

   Florida 2011 (219)a

  Cinderella enjoyed meeting Baby Bambi.

Cinderella and Bambi

Snow White, Belle, Ariel and Sleeping Beauty made our little princess feel extra special, too!

Snow White

                  Florida 2011 (248)     Ariel the mermaid

Belle  Sleeping Beauty

After making a big wish on her birthday candle and a wonderful farewell hug from Cinderella,

we enjoyed the Magic Kingdom where dreams really do come true…

Hug from Cinderella

…because the next morning, Little Petal awoke to the news that her dream of swimming with dolphins was about to come true!! (For more on her incredible love of sea animals, go to the story “Harmony & Magic,” posted on November 3, 2010)

family in wetsuits We spent a beautiful day at Discovery Cove swimming with sting rays, swimming through an aviary – protected by 2 waterfalls…and Little Petal’s favorite – swimming with a very sweet dolphin named Jenny – what an amazing experience!

Swimming with the dolphin

6 year old kisses dolphin

The Bright SpotTM bright spot flower – Creating memories with your family, for in the end, all we have are our memories.


Bianca