Photo Flashback! Four Things I Love

This week's Wordless Wednesday theme is "4 Things."  Here's what came to mind.

Friends (Finally!)

Firsts (Favorites)

Fun (Fairytales, Fantasyland)

Family (and Food and Festivals!)

Photo Flashback! Magic Kingdom at Night

I love the Magic Kingdom at Night.  As wonderful as it is during the daytime, it is extra special at night.  In February 2016 we were at the Magic Kingdom for the 25th Anniversary party for Disney Vacation Club members where the Magic Kingdom was open from 9 to midnight just for DVC Members.

The Hall of Presidents

The River Boat at night

During the 25th Anniversary Party there were only about 10000 DVC Members allowed in.

I love Cinderella Castle at night

DisneyMom

Disney Vacation Club 25 and Beyond

Let us know if you love the Magic Kingdom at night.

The Disney Vacation Club celebrated 25 years in 2016.  We have been members since 1993.  February 2016 was the first party for DVC Members to celebrate the 25th Anniversary. Free tickets were given to 10000 DVC Members for an after hours party in the Magic Kingdom.

--DisneyDad

Photo Flashback! Until We Meet Again...

Two weeks ago, we said goodbye to my father-in-law, Jim. 

Jim is missed by many. He loved to laugh and was equal parts ornery and generous. I am thankful for the time I was able to spend with him and desperately wish my husband and children had more years with their father and grandpa.  The girls decided Grandpa's favorite things were John Deere, Pepsi and the WSU Shockers.

Jim went to Walt Disney World four times and I was a part of the last two. He read 1 Corinthians 13 to start our Disney wedding and asked "who gives this woman?" A couple years later, we took a trip with both sets of parents and managed to get everyone to ride Everest...once.  Jim didn't know quite what to make of character meals but was a good sport. 

Jim, until I see you again in Heaven someday, I promise to take good care of the family you left behind. Thank you for raising Andy to be smart, funny, loyal and a hard-worker. The apple didn't fall far from the tree. 

Photo Flashback: Valentines Day +1

To my Valentine.

I've shared these pictures before in different posts.

Honeymoon 1973

At our Daughter, Amy's, Disney Wedding.
This was taken at the Grand Floridian in 2005.

Riding the TTA/ People Mover

My Valentine 💘

Since Valentine's Day was yesterday, I thought I'd share a few pictures of My Valentine.
--DisneyDad

Photo Flashback: Love This!

My husband, Andy, and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary at Aulani last year.  It was an wonderful trip.  This week's blog hop theme at Focused on the Magic is "Love this!"and I knew I needed to share some photos from Aulani.

This was from our lunch at 'AMA'AMA on our first full day on the island.  I'll share the rest of the meal later but today I wanted to show you the amazing view from our table, my honey, and one of the best desserts I have ever had.

The lagoon over my cup of fruit-infused water.  We were in no hurry to give up this view.  And as best we could tell, they weren't in a hurry for us to leave.  

So happy I married this guy!

We ordered Mocha Chantilly Cake.  And you should too.

The Happy Anniversary mousse was a lovely and very delicious surprise.  

This, my dears, was a dessert that still makes my mouth water 10 months later.  The menu says "Coffee Kanten, Coffee Anglaise, Macadamia Nut Nougatine and Chocolate Gelato." None of those words really describes just how incredible this tastes.

Check out the other "Love this!" posts through Deb's hop at Focused on the Magic.  We are so happy to welcome her back to Disney blogging!

Photo Flashback! What time is the 3 o'clock Parade?

Welcome back Deb and Focused on the Magic's Wordless Wednesday!

Magic Kingdom Parade 1973

The 1973 parade picture was taken my by wife's uncle.   

His wife has given us his old pictures of The Magic Kingdom.

Parades at The Magic Kingdom have changed some what but the 

age old question remains:

What time is the 3 o'clock parade?

Magic Kingdom Parade 2016

OPEN WIDE!!

FIRE!!

Hello Mickey!

Up and Away!

I took the 2016 Parade pictures in February when my wife and I went to the Disney Vacation Club 25th Anniversary party at the Magic Kingdom.

--Disney Dad

Photo Flashback! We're Going to a New (to us) Resort with Lots of Palm Trees

Almost 11 years ago, this handsome guy and I said "I do" at Disney's Wedding Pavilion.  It was a beautiful April day and the setting could not have been better.

Since then, we have had two babies, lived in 7 places in 4 states, and moved 8 times (long story but we moved into one house twice.)  We've been blessed with lots of joy and many tears of frustration. 

2015 was a rough year for us so a tenth anniversary trip didn't happen.  But now it's 2016 and things have settled down.  Our girls are old enough to stay with Grandma and Grandpa for a week without us.  We haven't taken a trip alone since our first anniversary.  

So when my husband asked if I'd like to go to Hawaii this year, I was thrilled.  We drug our feet on planning (no idea why) but now we have planned a trip to Oahu.  Aulani, here we come!  I am excitedly researching things to do and see and eat.  Our week's stay will be split with 4 nights at Aulani in the more relaxed area of Ko Olina and 3 nights at a resort amid the hustle and bustle of Waikiki Beach.  

If you have been to Aulani or Oahu, I'd love any tips you'd like to share!

  I'm so happy that Deb is back to blogging!  Please head over to Focused on the Magic and leave her some comment love.

Photo Flashback! My Calendar Shot

Mom and DisneyDad

If I am putting together a calendar, it must include a shot of Main Street USA at the Magic Kingdom at night showing Cinderella Castle.  This one just happens to have been taken of Mom and me last week at the 25 and Beyond Bash to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Disney Vacation Club.

--DisneyDad

Photo Flashback! Hall of Presidents

Every four years we have a national competition to select the next person we want to enshrine on the stage of The Hall of Presidents at Walt Disney World.  There is an addition every four or eight years. With this election year we will see a new addition to the cast on the stage.  It's been on TV a lot just in case you have missed it.  Once again it's an interesting competition to see who is added next.

George Washington

Abraham Lincoln

Andrew Jackson

George Washing delivering his inaugural address

Great Seal of the United States

The Hall of Presidents is one of the original attractions which opened in 1971.  It was the further growth of the 1964 Worlds Fair show Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln to include all 43 of the people to have served as president.  (Yes, President Obama is the 44th President.  Grover Cleveland served 2 non-consecutive terms as 22nd and 24th President.)

The pre-show atrium contains portraits of presidents as well as memorabilia from presidents and their wives.  The history on display is worth the few minutes it takes to look around.   I have taken lots of pictures here over the years.  These photo were taken in October, 2015.

--DisneyDad