It was June of 2010, and I had just graduated from Aurora University where I received my Master of Arts in Educational Leadership degree. I was 27 years old and my mom and I had never taken a trip for just the two of us. So, last minute, we decided to do just that. And where would we vacation to? Walt Disney World, of course!
One thing I feel is necessary to mention, and that is my mother had never taken a vacation that far from home without my father. As a result, it was my job to navigate us through the airport, something I had never had to do before because I had always had a male with me that did the navigating. We flew out of Midway Airport on Southwest Airlines. The trip didn't start out well as our flight was delayed, but the good news was, we managed to navigate ourselves through the airport and to our departure gate unscathed! After more than an hour of waiting, it was finally time to board our plane and for our vacation to begin!
We didn't get into Orlando International Airport until after 11pm. We navigated our way to the rental car area, picked up our car, stopped for some necessary sundries, and we were on our way to the Carribbean Beach, a resort I hadn't had the pleasure of staying in for quite some time. A little after midnight, we arrived at the hotel, called our families and let them know that we had arrived safe and sound.
The next day, however, continued to present us with challenges. When we woke up the next morning and headed out to the rental car to head to the parks, we noticed that there was a sizable crack in the windshield of the car. Fearing I would have to pay for the damage because we hadn't noticed it in the twilight hours the night before, I got on the phone with the rental car agency right away to report it. I didn't know it then, but the rental car agency would still give me trouble when I got home and attempt to get me to pay for the damage. Regardless of the difficulties of our travel thus far, our vacation wasn't dampened; after all, we were in the happiest place on earth!
While I don't remember all of the details of the trip exactly, I do remember that we traveled to each of the parks, enjoying our favorites like the Main Street Bakery, snacks of popcorn, Dole Whips, and celebration fudge, and we even tried a new restaurant: T-Rex. In regards to T-Rex, one thing I feel compelled to note here is that they have Cottontinis, a delicious blend of fruity martinis and cotton candy. These were perhaps the most delicious alcoholic beverage I can remember tasting thus far in my life.
Despite the fact that my dad loves to run what we have endearingly termed "Disney Boot Camp", my mom and I found time to go to Downtown Disney for shopping and our favorite lunchtime restaurant there: Earl of Sandwich. Of course, while we were there, we also remembered to go through Ghirardelli for free chocolate samples and a delicious sundae. We also found time to hit the waterparks and take a swim at the newly remodeled Carribbean Beach pool.
While we hoped to make this an annual trip, we haven't yet had a chance to make it back. However, we are planning to embark on a mother-daughter vacation again in the near future!
One thing I feel is necessary to mention, and that is my mother had never taken a vacation that far from home without my father. As a result, it was my job to navigate us through the airport, something I had never had to do before because I had always had a male with me that did the navigating. We flew out of Midway Airport on Southwest Airlines. The trip didn't start out well as our flight was delayed, but the good news was, we managed to navigate ourselves through the airport and to our departure gate unscathed! After more than an hour of waiting, it was finally time to board our plane and for our vacation to begin!
We didn't get into Orlando International Airport until after 11pm. We navigated our way to the rental car area, picked up our car, stopped for some necessary sundries, and we were on our way to the Carribbean Beach, a resort I hadn't had the pleasure of staying in for quite some time. A little after midnight, we arrived at the hotel, called our families and let them know that we had arrived safe and sound.
The next day, however, continued to present us with challenges. When we woke up the next morning and headed out to the rental car to head to the parks, we noticed that there was a sizable crack in the windshield of the car. Fearing I would have to pay for the damage because we hadn't noticed it in the twilight hours the night before, I got on the phone with the rental car agency right away to report it. I didn't know it then, but the rental car agency would still give me trouble when I got home and attempt to get me to pay for the damage. Regardless of the difficulties of our travel thus far, our vacation wasn't dampened; after all, we were in the happiest place on earth!
While I don't remember all of the details of the trip exactly, I do remember that we traveled to each of the parks, enjoying our favorites like the Main Street Bakery, snacks of popcorn, Dole Whips, and celebration fudge, and we even tried a new restaurant: T-Rex. In regards to T-Rex, one thing I feel compelled to note here is that they have Cottontinis, a delicious blend of fruity martinis and cotton candy. These were perhaps the most delicious alcoholic beverage I can remember tasting thus far in my life.
Despite the fact that my dad loves to run what we have endearingly termed "Disney Boot Camp", my mom and I found time to go to Downtown Disney for shopping and our favorite lunchtime restaurant there: Earl of Sandwich. Of course, while we were there, we also remembered to go through Ghirardelli for free chocolate samples and a delicious sundae. We also found time to hit the waterparks and take a swim at the newly remodeled Carribbean Beach pool.
While we hoped to make this an annual trip, we haven't yet had a chance to make it back. However, we are planning to embark on a mother-daughter vacation again in the near future!