Covid-19 was far from over at the start of the year. Madeline was out of a job, which also meant she didn’t have free access into Walt Disney World. We had to use her comp tickets if we wanted to go. In addition, there were black out days for annual pass members, Cast Members, and other groups, so it was a struggle to go. Still, we managed a few adventures. Then she got re-hired in March, so that changed the dynamics again.

2021—Miscellaneous Orlando Adventures

We kicked off the new year with a trip to Epcot on a beautiful Friday. It was the Festival of the Arts time. The park was empty, so we enjoyed the food and a few rides. We also made a purchase, which I got signed a couple of days later.

A couple of weeks later, the Surfus family came to town. We hung out with them at the Magic Kingdom for most of the day.

In February, we went back to Epcot. It was after the Fine Arts Festival and just before the Flower and Garden Festival. It was another gorgeous day to roam the park.

In March, Madeline went back to work, but this time it was at Be Our Guest restaurant.

In April, Alicia and Mel celebrated their 4th anniversary with brunch at the Grand Floridian Café. Alicia also met up with Lindsay, someone she met on a cruise in 2005. Flower and Garden was going

on in Epcot, so we had photos there and Disney Springs.

In May, we got the whole family into Hollywood Studios. We had lots of firsts, like drinking blue milk and Alicia & Mel riding Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and Rise of the Resistance. Myles had some fun that day, although he really just wanted to go running around and exploring on his own. The Barnetts came to town and we spent some time with them at their Marriott Vacation Club pool and Disney Springs.

July brought Food & Wine at Epcot. Madeline also had a free night stay at Art of Animation, so we spent one day at Epcot before checking in and then going to Magic Kingdom to see the fireworks show that was ending. It was a bit crowded, though, so we felt better at the resort. We went to Animal Kingdom the next day and saw a new ape addition to the park and the new Lion King show.

August was the Ratatouille preview for cast members. Myles enjoyed playing in the park at Epcot.

In September, we finally returned to the Dr. Phillips Center, where we saw Lasting Impressions. The show immersed us inside of impressionist paintings to classical music. We also fell in love with a new painting at the Boardwalk, and the artist just happened to be there to personalize it.

We went to the Magic Kingdom on the last day of September. News crews were there in anticipation of the following day, which marked the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World. On the 1st, we started together for breakfast and then Madeline went back to the Magic Kingdom. It was less hectic then she thought it would be, but the crowds were there as she was leaving.

Meanwhile, I went to Epcot. The crowds were kind of low there, too, except for the line to the Creations Shop, where everyone wanted to buy special 50th merchandise. I rode Test Track with no wait at all, but mostly I just roamed the front area and then went into the store to see what was there.

Disney added 50 statues across the parks, so we went on a hunt to find them. Epcot got a new fireworks show: Harmonious. At the end of the month, we took Myles to the park and Madeline went out with Tutti.

We went to Studios with Myles. Madeline got a special poster. We also rode the monorail with Myles, which he loved.

For my 60th birthday, the girls took me to brunch at the Grand Floridian Café. One Christmas Eve Eve, we spent one final day at a very empty Epcot.

 

Our lives really do revolve around the various locations and opportunities that Disney has to offer.

Sep

Aug

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jul

May

Apr

Mar

Feb

Jan

Madeline met me at Epcot and we both got to ride Ratatouille on its official opening day. We then went back to the Magic Kingdom, where everyone was now on Main Street waiting for the new fireworks show. We decided to skip that crowd and go home, but it was fun to say we were there on the 50th Anniversary.