25 Years Ago This Week, the InX Was Born!

Shortly after finishing my two-day Disney "Traditions" orientation in advance of starting my job at Walt Disney World, I pulled my 1978 Carolina Blue BMW onto Villa de Costa Drive in Orlando, Florida, walked up to apartment #7025 and asked to speak with a guy named Scott Hughes.

It was the third week in May, 1988. 

Little did I know that I was asking to meet my future husband and father of my children.

As well as meet what would quickly become some fabulous, lifelong friends!

 

 
 

It was, without a doubt, the best summer of my life.  

I have to smile at God's infinite wisdom when He chose to put such an amazing group of people together in the same place at the same time for the sole purpose of forming amazing relationships with one another...with the side benefit of pushing an old Bronco through sand :)

Happy 25th anniversary, InX'ers!  

Love y'all more than my luggage!

Yes, Another Disney Post. You Can Thank Scott.

Yes, we are those kind of Disney people. 

Yes, we've been to Walt Disney World 5 times in the past 7 years.

Kids hanging with Ralph & Vanellope

Why, you ask?  

Well, it's not just because Scott and I met there nearly 25 years ago, although that does lend some weight for sure.

And it's not just for the kids, because Scott and I love it, too.

I think a huge part of why we go so often is because Scott LOVES to plan the trips.

Mickey & my gang!

Seriously.  

He spends a LOT of time - months in advance - on the many and varied Disney-lover forums, learning everything he can about predicted crowd levels, what rides/attractions are open or closed, what routes through the parks are best at what time of day, which restaurants have the best menus for the best value, which characters will be where at what time, etc.

He knows the square footage of each of the resort's rooms, which have double beds vs. queen beds, how far one has to walk to catch a bus and what the pools look like.

Cinderella's wicked step mother and step sisters.
I told them they went a little heavy on the rouge and they claimed that they never wore makeup, it was just their natural beauty.

Scott does ALL the pre-planning and we just pack our bags, get in the car...

...and go have fun!

First time riding Expedition Everest
for Will and Eliza Grace.  Eliza Grace loved it
and she and I rode it three times that day.
Once was more than enough for Will, however.

Also, for those of you not in the know, they just opened "New Fantasy Land" in the Magic Kingdom 

New Little Mermaid ride is open

Now there are TWO Dumbo rides!

And they updated the Test Track attraction in EPCOT, so there were lots of new things to see and do this time around.

The newly refurbished Test Track.
Eh, I kinda miss the old one.

This trip was extra special, too, because we qualified for the free dining plan and had some great meals at restaurants in which we would've otherwise never eaten.  

These included the Japanese Teppan Edo restaurant in EPCOT - which Will declared the "best meal EVER!" 

The new "Be Our Guest" in New Fantasy Land

We asked about the "grey stuff"
but they don't serve it at lunch :(

We ate in the forbidden 
West Wing of the Beast's castle!

T-Rex in Downtown Disney

Loud.  All I can say is this place was LOUD! 

'Ohana in the Polynesian Resort and many more.

Stitch was his typical naughty self
and tried to steal Will's trading pin lanyard
because it had so many Stitch pins on it.

Lilo grabbed Eliza Grace's hand for
the parade around the room.

Um, yeah, they got a kick out 
of this statue's backside in the restaurant.

Thanks, Scottie, for all the planning and effort you put into making this a really great trip, once again!

From Younglings to Padawans

I think the kids would say the best thing they did on our Disney trip was the Jedi Training Academy. I completely agree!

As you can see, they were a little excited.

They were supplied with Padawan robes and "training" light sabers.

The Jedi Master had them take an oath to use their powers only in self-defense and then he walked them through a "fighting" routine.

Then there was a disturbance in the force and you know who showed up!

Each Youngling had a chance to test their skills against Lord Vader.  Will did a great job avoiding Vader's saber!

Eliza Grace sort of forgot about the whole "no attack" oath and went after Vader with a vengeance.  The Jedi Master and the crowd were highly entertained and Vader escaped without too much damage.

After she finished her routine she struck this pose.  HILARIOUS!  Girl was serious about it.

Here's some video of the fun.

My favorite part is when Vader tells Will that he will bring him to the Dark Side. The Jedi Master tells Will to tell Vader no, but instead Will screams "NEVER!!!" Dude got into it and it was adorable!

On The First Day at Disney, My Family Got To See...

A view of the pool at Pop Century

A bus ride to EPCOT

Spaceship Earth!

A sleepy bus ride back to Pop

Flashback Friday - Sea World and Disney 2006

As we prepare for our next trip to Walt Disney World, I thought I would post scenes of the first time we took Eliza Grace.

She was four and a half and Will, 10 months old, stayed home with Grandmommy.

This was the first time Scott and I'd ever been to Disney with a child.  We knew Disney as Cast Members and we knew Disney as adult guests, but it's a different experience to see Disney through your child's eyes.

We spent our first day at Sea World.  I absolutely LOVE Sea World.  EG strikes a Shamu pose.

Can you believe I got Scott to get up on that thing for a picture?

In the Magic Kingdom and chillin' out on what used to be called the WED-WAY people mover.

Sitting in Minnie Mouse's living room.  This was recently demoed as part of Magic Kingdom renovations.

Arthur, Schmarthur, I can pull this thing out.

Hugs with Brer Fox

Yo ho, yo ho...

Thank goodness for Daddy's arms after a long day at the parks.

Scott is saying, "I crush you castle. Crush, crush, crush."  (Kids in the Hall anyone?  Anyone?  Scott and I used to watch that ALL the time.)

We stayed in the Wilderness Lodge. So very nice!

Character lunch with Little Einsteins.

Eliza Grace got all dolled up for breakfast with the Princesses in Cinderella's Castle.  But she became terribly shy when it was her turn to see Cinderella, thus the skeptical look on her face.

Belle!

Jasmine!

Chip, Dale and Minnie

Eliza Grace showing that she can trust Bruce and "just keep swimming..."

Everyone loves Eeyore.  Thanks for noticin'.

It's a Bug Life in the Tree of Life

Getting ready to head home after a fabulous week.  She is just too adorable!