Savannah GA

We had to stop at an orange stand on the way to GA for a pit stop.

No the coconut monkeys didn't come home with us.

We're now in Savannah for the night.

I just love all the Spanish moss on the trees.

We missed all the haunted tours, but we had a great time exploring the waterfront.

And sampling a microbrewery...

Next stop, Fayetteville!!

PS. Dear Family - No guarantees on Internet posting for a few days.
Just know that we are in good hands.

Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom sure looks different during the summer season. We've been spoiled visiting MK in October to celebrate their Halloween festivities. The weather is cooler in the fall and the lines are shorter too. That being said, it is a magical place and I'm glad my work conference brought us to Orlando. Our family's favorite rides always include the Haunted House, It's a Small World, Peter Pan, Toy Story, Pooh's Adventure, and Splash Mountain. If you can stand to be at the park all day, the fireworks are amazing.

Here are few pictures from our day at the park.

Next stop, Georgia!

Random Pics

After my work obligations were done on Thursday, we headed to Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure.

"Us" Michigan folks aren't used to this heat/humidity.

Of course we had to sneak back into Harry Potter World.
Long live Butter Beer!

Our hotel pool is incredible!

My work obligations are over and Bb World 2010 is officially done. I actually gleaned a lot of good information and made some great contacts in higher education. Now, we're off to Magic Kingdom! Yippee!!

PS. How do my southern friends stand this heat and humidity? My hair is a disaster. I've been avoiding the camera at all costs.

Hotel Fun Continued...

For all my higher education colleagues, here is fuzzy cell phone proof that I'm actually working at Bb World 2010.

While I was busy attending conference sessions, Emma taught Josie how to swim underwater (without her life jacket).

It helps that the air temperature is in the 90s and the hotel pool is 85 degrees. Way to go, Josie and Emma!

Our hotel also sports an indoor miniature golf course and several waterfalls.

You couldn't ask for a prettier hotel setting.

My work obligations end Friday at 12noon and then we're heading to the Magic Kingdom. On Saturday we drive to GA to visit dear adoptive friends! Bring on more sweaty fun!!

Harry Potter World

Despite the heat, the crowds and the massive lines, Harry Potter World was simply magical. The attention to detail was impressive.

A few pointers after spending a day sweating with the crowds...

1. Be prepared for long lines and huge volumes of people - even for entering the shops.
2. If you have children under the height restrictions for the Forbidden Journey (Hogwart's castle), don't let it deter you from standing in line. So much of the ride is the walk-through and those members of the family that don't meet the height restrictions, can exit right before the ride begins.
3. Shade is limited in Harry Potter World, so be prepared to sweat (which is why you aren't seeing me in any pictures).
4. Bring your own bottled water and fan sprayer. The cost for bottled water is ridiculous.
5. Speaking of beverages, the lines for Butterbeer are LOOOOOOONG, but it's worth the wait. Emma thinks it tastes like butterscotch candy. Yummy!
6. Ollivander's is very small and extremely pricey (most wands are $28.95 a piece). But that being said, we came home with several wands.
7. Make sure if you get postcards, you get them postmarked right outside of Ollivander's with the official Hogwart's return address (very cool).
8. Visit Harry Potter World off-season (we both were saying that September or October might be lovely). It's popularity is wonderful, but that also brings massive crowds and long lines.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from today. We literally took 100s of pictures. Chris also shot a ton of video in preparation for Halloween decorating ideas.