Disney 2011 cont.

The next day we headed to the Animal Kingdom with one goal, to see the Festival of the Lion King again.  We were lucky and got into the first show of the day and had stage seating right up front. 

While walking around park I couldn’t help but notice all the beautiful plants and flowers, including this unusual plant… 

And some really strange looking bugs too!

We had lunch at Flame Tree Barbeque and I had one of the best turkey sandwiches I’ve ever had away from home.  And we had a nice view from our seats while we ate.

We then changed parks to get in some good Epcot time.  Unfortunately the crowds were there too, and all the popular rides and attractions had huge lines.  So we did what wasn’t popular and had a good time anyway.  We visited Spaceship Earth, Figment, Captain EO and then went into The Seas.  I could spend hours in there just watching the fish. 

Then we did something different, we rode the monorail around to different resorts to see the Christmas decorations.  I liked the decorations at Grand Floridian best, and the smell from that giant gingerbread house was just yummy. 

We then headed back to our resort for dinner at Shutters.  Dinner was very good, but the room was so cold even my hot tea got cold before I was half way through the first cup. 

The next morning we were back at Epcot again.  First we fast-passed Soarin’ and then went looking for short lines.  We found one at Ellen's Energy Adventure so we took the ride.  After that it was lunch time so we checked into the Coral Reef Restaurant  and were lucky enough to get seats right up front near the aquariums… or I guess I should say tanks. 

When we were finished eating we went into The Seas again, visiting Turtle Talk which is another audience interactive show.. I love watching the little kids. 

Then we headed into World Showcase, riding through Mexico then meandering through Norway, China, Germany, Italy.  Then we stopped for a bit to listen to some of the Candlelight Processional before passing by US, Japan, Morocco, France, UK and finally Canada. 

After a snack of some yummy fried shrimp we found a good spot to watch Illuminations.  Always a must for us when at Disney, this one was even better with the added segment for the holidays, and what a fabulous finale of fireworks!

Early the next morning we headed home, but extended our fun by having lunch in downtown Norfolk. 

Way too soon this vacation was over and it was back to reality for us.  To me the best part of this whole trip was watching John truly relax, something he can never do at home.  We had no schedule, except for food reservations, and went where we wanted to go when we wanted too.  We slept in several mornings and stayed up way past our bedtime most nights.  And for the first time in two years I had my sweetheart all to myself for seven glorious days.  And that is what made this vacation the best one ever!