resort hopping

today was a wonderful day. even though it was exhausting for some reason, it was completely relaxing at the same time. we went resort hopping. we woke up early, at like eight (niza woke up at eight fifteen, but made me wake up earlier because i always have to try on more than one outfit before i go back to the first thing i originally had on to start with.) the day ended a bit crappy (pun definitely intended,) since we came home to a less than special treat, of a clogged/overflowing toilet. i just thank god it wasn't my bathroom!

so. today. niza and i woke up at eight, leaving the party animal sleeping beauties to their rest and headed over to disney's animal kingdom lodge. the bus ride was so long. tons of cast members who work at animal kingdom, and i seriously thought that by now i would have gotten accustomed to their costumes, but i honestly feel sorry for them. their costumes are absolutely ridiculous, but they're so fun. (i guess.) when we got off at the bus stop for the resort, we were the only people on the bus besides an australian girl, who very kindly showed us the way to the lobby. we actually went through the back entrance that is for cast members, and she guided us to the beyond beautiful lobby. the lobby was made to have a natural feel, but it is so classy. so breathtaking. disney's animal kingdom lodge is actually on a savannah and has animals roaming around, even though we didn't really see any animals at first. we roamed around a little bit, and found ourselves downstairs we got some juice and coffee and continued to explore outside by the pool, where we saw some flamingos and ducks. afterwards, we went back inside and explored the resort. niza kept saying she was looking for giraffes, and i argued with her and told her that we weren't going to find any because it was a hotel, not a zoo. but she, being 'dora la exploradora,' kept roaming around. we finally opened a door that led to an outdoor staircase, and at first glance it looked like the regular savannah grounds again, but then when we went out on the balcony, we saw giraffes and zebras! we were so excited! after about two minutes, they all roamed away, behind another wall of the hotel, so we couldn't see them anymore, but we were very determined and we explored inside again until we saw them again, but this time through a window. we also went in the gift shop and played with all the instruments they had for sale and tried on hats and of course i wanted everything, but i didn't buy anything. self control my friends, self control.

after animal kingdom, we took the bus to magic kingdom. the bus ride was long, and not the most pleasant of bus rides, because we were forced to stand up due to the bus being packed with people! and the person i was standing in front of (who was sitting down) was a giant with huge knees, and it was highly uncomfortable. but nonetheless, we got to magic kingdom safe and sound, and we took our time, and made our way to the boat launch. one of the lovely things about today was we took our time doing everything. if we went and played in a park, we would've been rushing, and speed-walking like crazy. but it was slow paced and perfect. we took the boat over to the polynesian resort, which again was beautiful with its hawaii theme. approaching the resort from the lake, you see a volcano, which is the poolside bar, the pool and a little beach, fully equipped with beach chairs and hammocks. it looks like a nice place to chill out, but i can't guarantee that i would go in that green water. when we got off the boat, to our right was a little area where guests can rent these little boats and drive around. of course i had to ask for the information for when my family comes up in june, because i'm sure dad and ben would enjoy that. we walked into the hotel and everyone greeted us with a happy 'aloha,' which was nice. we wandered around and looked at the shops, and what the resort had to offer. the lobby also was magnificent, with a gorgeous waterfall in the middle surrounded by tons of plants and flowers. so pretty. after we aimlessly walked around, enjoying everything, we went and got a quick lunch at their quick service restaurant, captain cooks. from there, the two mariajoses and jazmin joined us. we waited for them to finish their lunch, and again we explored a little bit, niza and i leading them to the lobby since we knew the way already. we played in the merchandise stores and sang along to the music playing and it was great. afterwards we took the boat back over to the grand floridian.

the grand floridian speaks for itself. it is very grand, and very fancy. we went straight to the pool area, where we sat at the bar and had a pina colava, which is rasberry mixed with pina colada mix. it was delicious and we just sat there, enjoying each others company, feeling very relaxed and classy at the resort. after that, we went to the lobby area. as soon as we walked in, we all immediately felt royal, or as if we were on the titanic or something along those lines. it is insane. it's a bit too fancy than i like, but it is so beautiful. the lobby is huge with high ceilings and a grand piano in the middle, and a floor up, their is a band playing classical music for everyone to enjoy. we went upstairs where the merchandise stores overlook the gigantic lobby. when we were finished playing in the stores, having the time of our lives, we looked down onto the lobby, where a recently married couple were taking pictures. it was gorgeous. the bride looked like a princess.

after the grand floridian, we went over to the boardwalk resort. i actually did not know that the boardwalk was a resort, i thought it was just a boardwalk. we walked through the resort, out onto the boardwalk, which is now one of my favourite places. it looks like it could be the sixties when you walk outside, with the perfectly designed old fashioned shops and everything. i think you can automatically feel relaxed and happy when you go to the boardwalk. it is so quaint and such a fun place to just sit or walk around or do anything really. we went into the candy store, where we got ice cream. and we sat outside together chatting, and people watching. after we were finished, we walked around the boardwalk, over to the yacht club. the outside of the yacht club is so nice, equipped with a lighthouse. and obviously, in keeping with the whole nautical theme, i was reminded of my family again. we went inside to use the bathroom, and i fell in love. it is definitely the type of place my family would love to stay. perfectly suited, it was as if it was made especially for my dad. i wish i could have gone and seen more of the resort, including the rooms, but we were all exhausted, and it was definitely time to head home. after sort of getting lost trying to find our housing bus, we decided to take the bus to magic kingdom and then we would take the bus from there to go home.

we're now all home, unwinding and overcome by exhaustion, but we had such a beautiful day. we really feel like family and it was so nice to just be in each others company, laughing and joking and just being together all day long. tonight, i guarantee is going to be an early night, because i can barely keep my eyes open. happiness is definitely getting the better of me and i am always looking forward to everything else i'm going to do. kisses and hugs to everyone.