
It has been 13 very very long years since I last set foot on Walt Disney World property.
After working as a cast member (part of the Disney College Program) for 8 months and being in the parks just about every single day, I never dreamed that I would leave and not return for THIRTEEN years.
When we went to Florida last spring, we very seriously considered going to one of the Disney parks for just one day – but ultimately we decided against it (for a whole plethora of reasons). It was heartbreaking to be so close and yet so far.
Needless to say, when Derrick surprised me at Christmas with a Magic Band and the news that he had not only bought our Disney tickets, but made our park reservations, AND booked our AirBnB, I was quite a bit taken aback.
And I started eagerly counting down the days from that point on.
We went back and forth but ultimately decided to begin our Disney adventure with a day at Animal Kingdom. We knew the kids would absolutely love it and we figured it was the best park to “ease” our way into the “Disney experience” – to get used to the Disney atmosphere, the Disney crowds, learn the Disney app, and figure out how to use Genie+.
And it turned out to be the PERFECT choice.
We spent about 9 hours at Animal Kingdom and did absolutely everything we wanted to do. It was such a wonderful, fun, beautiful day. We have so many happy memories and I’m so thankful we can go back and re-live our memories over and over through my videos and photos!
Of course, what is a post without photos? Here are a few of the highlights of our day both from my iPhone 12 Pro and “big” camera (I have a Canon R6).

Us! And some guy!


.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Did you miss our “Day 1” post? If so, you can go back & catch the highlights of our day at Sea World Orlando HERE!
Stay tuned! Our day at Magic Kingdom is coming up next!