Nov 30, 2015

Joshua Tree National Park

We visited Joshua tree for the first time. It was AMAZING. Here are some quick shots.

Nov 1, 2015

Orlando 2015

This has been a long awaited trip for my family. I was so excited to take my husband with me for the vacation! We Youngs are dedicated and we try to have energies at 100%! We had tight schedules for each day and we knew there would be LOTS of walking. I averaged around 15,000 steps a day and even hit 20,000 steps on the last day! Orlando is humid and wet. It seemed to be a norm which I didn’t really expect, but we made the best of it! We took a red eye flight there, but I absolutely HATE red eyes. We did not get much sleep AND we had a layover in Houston at 3am. Dad picked us up and we pretty much headed straight towards Epcot. Tired but exhilarated!

Epcot
If I had to ask for to go to a place for more time, it would be here. You could truly spend an evening in each country- eating the food of the land, going to take pictures of recreated iconic places, and watching performances. There were many countries represented like China, Italy, England, Japan, Mexico, Monaco, etc. Jose was wondering where the Philippines were at though…. Awkward…. :p We did our best to conquer all the different countries and it was so interesting! It did rain a tad in the night time so that was a bummer. Nonetheless, we continued to run about in our ponchos and travel around the world! We specifically enjoyed the German buffet and street performances! There was one that particularly made me nostalgic- JAMMitors. This was a show at Disneyland Resort when I was younger and it was still GREAT!

Animal Kingdom
This was Joses favorite day. He’s always seen this place advertised when he was a kid- so it was a big deal! Ill first tell you that the Lion King and Finding Nemo show were absolutely perfect. Specifically the finding nemo- it was like a mini broadway show. Seriously. Then seeing all the animals in person like gorillas, hippos (joses fav), giraffes, and cheetahs were fantastic! We went on a legit safari that took us around. It rained SO HARD on us in the middle of the day. We thought we brought the rain with us from our wedding!! There was one ride specifically that was BOMB. Everest! Whoooo!- highly suggest this one.
Disney World
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! I had to go here for my birthday- where Id run around in my HBD button and hat! I had a big ol baymax on my shirt and wore it proud! This day was ride filled! Thunder, space, splash, and the people mover were the favs. We enjoyed how spacious everything was here. We attempted to eat at Belle’s Castle but it was all booked from 6 mos prior!! SO SAD. We ate dinner at a lady and the tramp Italian restaurant. BOMB pasta. We got to watch the classic electrical light parade. Always so good. Then we moved to the front of the castle to watch the projected show on the castle which was LEGIT and the fireworks afterwards. LOVED ITTTT.
Hollywood Studios
Okay, the shows here were LEGIT. Indiana Jones was a little behind the scenes, audience involved, action packed comedy! There was a fast and furious cars show that demonstrated neat car action tricks and chases. So cool! There was a beauty and the beast show that got a little lamer since I last saw it but still a decent performance haha. We ate at a cute little 50s themed diner for dinner. The aerosmith rollercoaster to “Sweet Emotion” was FUN!!!! I beat Jose in toy story (hehehe)! Tower of terror was a thrill!!! I screamed all hard. FANTASMIC KILLED ME. This show I was hooting, hollering, singing, dancing the entire time. I oohed at the lights and fireworks, aahhed at the characters, and cheered with every surprise. It was brilliant! We had great seats too and it was absolutely fantastic.
Universal Studios
We saved the best for last. I have been waiting for this place since high school: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This place BLEW ME AWAY. My sister was in tears and I was just loving every moment. I soaked in this fantasy place they built. Diagon Alley. First of all we had to cross through 9 ¾ Platform into the place where you shop for all wizarding things. Of course I got my wand- HERMIONE!!! We obviously had to get the butter beer- regular and frozen (I prefer the frozen!!) It was sugar goodness! We went through the many shops (jokes shop, candy shop, wand shop, nocturne alley) and took pictures of all décor. We rode the rides which were so well made with the technology and HP lands and characters. Jose said it was the best simulated rides he has been on. We then proceeded to ride the Hogwarts Express to the other Universal Studios campus to visit Hogsmede and the castle which was just wonderful. Yes, there are two Universals here! WHAT!!! We ate at Three Broomsticks. I honestly have no words for this imagined place in my mind coming to perfect fruition. It didn’t feel touristy, but really legit. I was geeked out in my Harry glasses and shirt my sister made for me. It was a really magical time. We then proceeded to the rest of Universal Studios. Jose and I killed the ride game- getting soaked on the best log ride weve ever been on, Jose finally beat me in a gun shooting game at Men in Black, Jurassic and Mummy were just fantastic, and there was a sick roller coaster that had my stomach spinning! Honestly it was just a winner.
We ended the night with treating my family out to Cracker Barrel which had amazing comfort food. Our whole table was filled with food that everyone killed!!!! Haha!

Im writing this blog as I fly back home to LA. We agreed there were things likes rides and shows in Orlando that kinda pooped on the amusement parks Anaheim but I cant blame them, they have so much land to do things! I still very much so love my Anaheim Disneyland. This was such a dream trip and Im thankful it was with my favorite people. It was honestly undeserved but God continues to be kind to us in ways we are not worthy of receiving. Thank you Jesus.