Spring Break 2014

Epcot

We do not appear to be a family that goes someplace and stays in that place.  I sometimes wonder what going to a beach for a week (5-6 days in a row) would be like.  I think we would get restless and have to move on after day 4.  Spring Break 2011:  We had a crazy whirl wind trip to Arizona.  I called my Facebook photo album "How to see Arizona in one week.".  We went as far north as the Grand Canyon and as far south as Tombstone.  Also saw many sights in the Phoenix area.  One week.  I think that was the biggest "Play Hard" family trip ever.  Spring Break 2014 rivals it.  In addition to the fun, it is also a tale in getting better and persevering.    Breaking it down:

Daytona:

In 2010, I got the boys out of school early and headed to Florida to watch one of the last Space Shuttle launches.  Ellen could not make it due to work obligations.  I found a room on the AAA guide in Daytona Beach.  That was not far from a viewing area, and would give us something to do if the launch was scrubbed.  The place I found was the Sun Viking Lodge.   It is ocean front, indoor pool. and outdoor pool as well as a 60 foot water slide. We enjoyed the resort, but did not spend much time at it since we had an entire day near the Kennedy Space Center to watch the launch.   

In 2011, shortly after we made the decision to move from Statesboro to Atlanta, the boys and I went again, for the purpose of spending time at the resort.  It became a Murkison guys place to go.  The resort has many types of accommodations, but we always got the most economic, most rustic.  In describing the place to Ellen, I painted it as a non-desirable place to go.  (Ex:  It has a statue of a viking at the front, and no coffee makers in the room.  Plus, the beach has auto traffic - and that made it a little more stressful to actually go to the beach.)   Though all of that was true, teh boys and I had a great time both trips.  

The 60 foot slide was Brian's favorite.  He had asked about going back many times.  Of course, a period of time went by when going down any sort of water slide into a pool of water was in doubt.  The resort was considerably further from Atlanta than it was from Statesboro, so for all those reasons, we did not go back in 2012 or 2013.  

Spring Break 2014 was our triumphant return.  We did upgrade to a suite with a kitchen (and a coffee maker).  It is a great place to meet other families, and is set up well for community building.  One thing Brian loves to do is to talk to new people.  He had some long conversations with kids and adults at the hot tub and at the pool.  We did do some beach time, but the waves were a bit to strong for Brian.   Ben and I spent a long time body surfing, and had to take a long walk back to the resort after the current pushed us north up the beach.  

The 60 foot water slide was a beloved by Ben and Brian.  Ben determined how many times he needed to go down it in order to say that he went a mile down it.  He easily accomplished that goal.  

The pools were open pretty late.  It gave time to play games in the pool - that also served as PT for Brian.  He also worked on swimming in the deeper ends of the pool.  A noodle is still needed, but he has made a lot of progress with his comfort level in the pool.  

A happy 9 year old, coming down the slide at Sun Viking Lodge

They have poolside and beach side activities planned during the day.  They also have a basketball hoop set up for when you want some non-water time.  An arcade with a Wii that can be played when people want to get away from the sun was also taken advantage of.

We had a balcony with a great view of the ocean.  I planned to sit on the balcony with Ellen gazing at the moonlight on the ocean in the evenings after the kids went to sleep.  However - with all the activities, we were all pretty much going to bed pretty late.  No romantic gazing was in the cards.  Ben asked me to wake him so we could watch the sunrise from the balcony.  Keep in mind, at home - Ben would stay in bed until 11 am if we let him.  He has started the stay up late, sleep in teenage mentality.  So when he asked me to wake him for the sunrise, I happily did.  He and I some great quality time that morning.  The sunrise was a bit of a bust since clouds prevented viewing it.  The company was quality.

Having a kitchen and grill around the resort made was great.  We did not have to go out to eat at all during our tie in Daytona.

Ben and Brian contemplating life over a drinking yogurt 

Orlando

So we got up Tuesday morning and did some pool time at Sun Viking Lodge.  We knew that bad weather was coming, so we wanted to get some water time in while we had the chance.  We than had to say goodbye to the new families we had just met and packed the car.   Brian was convinced that he has just had a vacation romance with a little girl he had met.  We reminded him that he was only nine years old.      

The stormy weather hit when we were about halfway to Orlando.  Glad it was not interrupting our fun, but hated driving in it.    Our first stop was the JW Mariott Resort. We didn't actually stay at this resort, just visited.  They were hosting a conference that much of my office was attending.  We also had some friends that now live in Minnesota that were also visiting because of the conference.  I actually went and checked out a little of the conference.  Ellen and the boys hung out with the Minnesota Smyth family.  To piggy back on my post from April 1, Ellen allowed Brian to do something that seemed unthinkable just a few months ago.  She let Brian and Ben explore the resort with the two Smyth Boys (14 and 10).    Granted, all three of the other boys are very responsible, and that certainly helped ease concerns.  The Marriott was swank.

After we checked into our resort we came back to pick the Smyth's back up and headed to dinner at a greek restaurant called Taverna Opa.    All I can say is ohh my.  Opa it is.  The  food was great, and the greek music blasting throughout the restaurant was awesome.  However, the highlight was the belly dancer.

Brian has no inhibitions and loves to dance.  So, when the belly dancer comes to our table looking for anyone to dance with, he jumps right up.  The other three boys wanted nothing to do with her.   Ben- in his brotherly way, was hiding his face.   The dancer spent a lot of time with the boy.  He loved the attention.  He loves dancing, so this was a perfect combo for him.  Have you ever danced with a belly dancer?   Well, I know someone that has.

Taverna Opa.  Brian and belly dancer

Disney  

I never thought that we would become a Disney family.  In fact, Ellen and I said we had banned Disney due to an experience we had right after we started dating.  That was 1997.  We went back when Ben was 3 in 2004 to see my brother in a triathlon.  Also, trips in 2009, 2012, and now 2014 have changed our views. Throw in a trip to Universal in 2013, and we are somewhat hooked on amusement parks.

This time, we stayed in Disney All-Star Movies Resort.  We have taken advantage of the Magic Hours by staying at Disney Resorts.  This allows early access or after hours access to certain parks.   This year, they let you schedule your fast passes in advance, so it is easier to plan your day.  We also won some Park Hopper passes in an auction for Evansdale Foundation event. The idea of doing multiple parks in one day seemed like to much, even in the best of times.

In 2012 - we came as part of our December to remember time celebrating the month that one year early was in hospitals and hospices.  Brian was in a transport wheelchair.  Staying on his feet all day would have made for a very short day.  We did just Epcot that trip.  The day finished with a Holiday Musical Concert hosted by Amy Grant.    It seemed like a long day.  Brian was not able to enjoy the concert, and was pretty much ready to go before it had started.  That made it a little difficult on us as well.  It was a great time, but not magical.  

At Animal Kingdom

Well, we used our park hopper on Wednesday.  8:00 am magic hours at Animal Kingdom, taking the safari tour, and the Expedition Everest as well as the dinosaur rider all before the crowds got to big.  We did a number of other rides, and decided to move on to Hollywood Studios.  The Indiana Jones show, Star Wars Ride, were enjoyed by all.  Brian and I went to the American Idol Show while Ellen and Ben did the Hollywood Tower of Terror.  We also watched some of the other shows and did the Toy Story ride/ game.  

After a quick break at the resort, we headed back to Epcot.  After we made it in, we had to walk halfway thru the park, and than hop on a boat and take it to Morocco. We had dinner reservations at Epcot's Restaurant Marrakeesh.  We arrived right on time.  

Yet again, a belly dancer came out.  She invited all the kids to come up.  This time, Ben joined the kids. This YouTube clip shows the fun.   

The wait staff sang happy birthday to Ben - and put a Fez on his head.  In fact, Ben had on a button that said it was his Birthday. He enjoyed all the attention as well.  His birthday was the following week but it is ok to celebrate a week early at Disney.  

After dinner, we rode some of the rides in the Mexico area as well as Norway, and staked out a viewing point for the Illuminations, Reflections of Earth.  A cool laser show over lake around the World Showcase.   Our day at Epcot ended around 9:30 pm. We had to get ready for the next day.  

Thursday was just Magic Kingdom.  We were at the park on the 50th anniversary of the deput of the song "It's a Small World After All."  We saw a choir singing the song as we walked in, and latter found out that they were on GMA as a collage of choirs signing the song around the world.  Pretty cool.   We also spent much of our day with the Smyths, as they were at the Magic Kingdom  We did all the rides- Space Mountain, the Race Track, It's a Small World, the Carousel , Pirates of the Caribbean, Runaway Mine Train, Magic Carpet Ride,  the Dumbo Ride, and the train around the park.    We also saw the Monsters Inc Talent Show, that is one of Brian's favorites, mine also.  We missed Splash Mountai.  It was closed for repairs at the tie we were scheduled to ride it.

We went on the Swiss Family Robinson ride - if you can call it that.  It is a tree house, with steps up to three stories to see a fictitious working tree house.   Also served as PT to a point.  That would have been a prime example of something that we could not have done in 2012.  We watched the heavily promoted Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade.  We parted ways with the Smyths in the afternoon.  They had to travel back to Minnesota and 2-3 feet of snow.  It was good to see them.  

We started at 8 am, and finally left after 4 pm. After our last ride, we went back to the resort, and Ben and I had plans to return to Magic Kingdom, but we happily changed our mind and chilled at the resort.  We were all so tired, we could barely walk.  Well, all except Brian.  

They set up a giant screen that eventually showed a Disney Movie by the pool.  Before the show, they had a Wii set up with Just Dance.  And Brian grabbed a remote, and played along.  Eventually it got a little cool, so Ellen made Brian come back for a jacket.  I went back to the screen with Brian at that point.  The boy was running...RUNNING to get back to dance some more.  My feet were in pain, but if Brian was running after 4 Disney parks in two days, I better catch up.   After a few rounds of \Just Dance, they started Little Mermaid.  I sat behind Brian in a pool chair, as he sat with a new friend.  Eventually, the tiredness hit him, and he was ready to go. 

Friday morning - chilling and playing at the Disney Pool.  Also - at the gift shop in the lobby of the resort, setup a music player.  The cast members (what Disney calls its employees)  were doing different line dances, and invited the crowd. For the fourth day in a row, Brian got to dance just because.   Friday morning I was able to catch up with my former theater director.  He works at Disney now.  We have never been able to catch up with him in our previous visits.   It was nice to see him this time.   

Brian and Ben have had to grow up in many ways in the last few years.  It is nice to see them able to act like kids.  No place better to do that than Disney.  This may be why we are drawn to Disney now.  Everyone can act like kids and it is ok.   

Statesboro:

Ahh Statesboro.  We actually spent a night in the 'boro on the way down to Daytona.  We spent 2 nights on the way back.  We caught up with some friends and family.  In addition, we went to the Georgia Southern Art Fest, went to the Eagle spring football game, and went to the rodeo.  A Saturday in Statesboro means a trip to the farmers market.  It is the place to be on a Saturday Morning.

The Rodeo was fun.  Ben and Brian did a round on the mechanical bull.  The bull riding in the fences by the real cowboys seemed to be a little more difficult than the bull Ben and Brian rode.   

Church on Sunday at St. Mathews Parrish in Statesboro, and a return trip home.  

Brian and Grandpa at the rodeo

Grandma with her cowboys.  Nice hat Ben

One last Surprise:

Once back in Atlanta, we had a bit of a surprise.  We had dinner with Ben's god mother Andrea Pinto.  He had not seen her since he was 8 months old.   She lives in Quito Ecuador.  She was in Atlanta on a work trip.  So- an exhausting but rewarding experience.  We are already planning our next trip.  Happy travels all.

Ben and his Godmother Andrea Pinto from Quito Ecuador.