My Favorite Place on Earth

For those of you who know me well, know that my absolute favorite place on earth is Disney World in FL.  I grew up going about every other year as a child and have the fondest memories of the place.  So, naturally, I want my children to experience it as well!  We waited until our youngest was 5 so that he could appreciate everything (and ride *most* of the rides since he was over 40″) and just returned from a FABULOUS vacation!  We stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, where Zebras and Giraffes and other African animals hung out in the Savannah outside your window.  The attention to detail was magnificent.  We highly recommend it!

We went on a Safari at the Animal Kingdom Park and saw amazing animals!

One of the highlights of the trip was when the kids got to fight Darth Vader.  I don’t have actual pictures of them fighting him  because I chose to film that part instead (and I only had my P&S w/ video on it, so couldn’t hand it to Lawson!).  Such a bummer.  But here’s what I did capture!

At the Animal Kingdom, David was SO proud of conquering the ride Mt. Everest – one of the best coasters I have ever been on!

Every night the parks are lit up so beautifully.  I WISH I had brought a wide angle lens with me to get the full effect, but oh well…

My absolute FAVORITE thing at Disney is the SpectroMagic parade.  I cry, seriously, every time I watch it.  I was so excited for Colin to see it for the first time!

On the last night, we I decided that we should go to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Celebration.  Lawson kept asking me what we *got* for the extra money we had to pay to go, and I assured him we got a Christmas parade, Cinderella’s castle lit up with ice crystals (see above), *free* hot chocolate and cookies and special Christmas fireworks.  ”Hmmm”, he said, “we get a parade and fireworks everyday at Disney and I’m telling you the hot chocolate is not FREE, we’re paying extra money for it!”  And then to top it off, it started raining the minute we entered the Magic Kingdom.  BUT we didn’t let it spoil our night and succumbed to buying the Disney rain ponchos for everyone.  I thought it was magical.  Lawson left with a head cold and sinus infection, just in time for his marathon on Saturday!

You can’t beat the end of the night with fireworks…and I had the chance to shoot them which the photography nerd in me was so excited about doing for the first time!!!  I think I got some good shots.  And for those other photography friends out there wondering what I shot at:  f/2.8, 1/13 shutter speed and ISO 640 on manual w/ no flash.

I think I might become a Disney Travel Agent one day…it might just be my calling!