The best camping trip ever! Mark and I spent Memorial Day weekend together at the Grand Canyon. It was a weekend of firsts - my first time to that national park, Mark's first camping trip (as an adult), and our first camping trip together. We left Las Vegas early on Saturday morning to beat the rush into the park. Check in at our campsite was a breeze and it was a happy surprise that my camping partner was a natural at setting up the site. He also proved to be an expert campfire maker. After a bit of lunch we took off for the canyon rim. The park's shuttle bus system works so efficiently, we explored the entire east side of the park that afternoon. My first view of the canyon was at Mather Point. Even ... read more

Saturday, January 25, 2014 Our last day of vacation - we made the most of it by arriving at park opening and leaving just as the park was closing. Jen was great and hussled with me to the safari ride as soon as we arrived, so we could avoid the 60-minute wait that stacked up within an hour. Rides and Experiences: Safari Wilderness Railroad (to nowhere) It's Tough to be a Bug Character greeting: King Louis and Baloo/ Minnie and Mickey Lunch - Yak and Yeti Flights of Winder show Expedition Everest (fastpass) Expedition Everest (single rider) Primeval Whirl Triceratop Spin Dinosaur! Expedition Everest Dinner - Pizza ... read more

Thursday, January 23, 2014 Jen and I returned to the Magic Kingdom for a full day of fairy tales. The big highlight of the evening, and one of the top moments of the whole trip, was having dinner at the Be Our Guest Restaurant in Belle's ballroom. It was as if we had stepped into the movie. Disney absolutely out-did themselves in creating that experience. I timed our reservations just right so we would be able to watch the fireworks while waiting to be called for our table. After dinner, the park was closed and we practically had the entire place to ourselves as we floated on fairy dust to the exit. Rides and Experiences: Character Greeting: Mary Poppins Breakfast - Starbucks Astro Blaster Space Ranger Spin Character Greeting: Buzz Lightyear Space Mountain Autopia/Speedway Character Greetign: ... read more

Tuesday, January 21, 2014 Today we experienced the amazingly fun Hollywood Studios. It reminded me a lot of the re-imagined Disneyland California Adventure. We never waited in line for Star Tours, but found Toy Story, Tower of Terror and the Rockin Rollercoaster consistently had 60-90 minute wait times. Rides and Experiences: Character greetings: Goofy, Chip and Dale Toy Story Mania (fastpass) Star Tours The Great Movie Ride Tower of Terror (fastpass) Lunch - Fairfax Fare (didnt like it) Voyage of the Little Mermaid show Star Tours Character greeting: Mr. Incredible and Frozone Muppet Vision 3D Snack - Writer's Corner (liked this spot) Lights, Motors, Action! show Animation Academy Fantasmic Dinner - Hotel ... read more

Sunday, January 19, 2014 Breakfast - Leftover pizza Explore Downtown Disney District Disney Quest Lunch - Cookies of Dublin Magic Kingdom Monorail, via Grand Floridian Hotel Thunder Mountain Railroad Pirates of the Caribbean Jungle Cruise (Fast Pass - FP) Dinner - Pinocchio Village Haus It's a Small World Character Greetings: Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, Minnie Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid (FP) Dumbo the Flying Elephant The Barnstormer Haunted Mansion ... read more