We just returned from Orlando again. Our first day we went to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, formerly known as MGM Studios. Just after nine in the morning, the park wasn’t crowded, so we headed for my favorite attraction, the Great Movie Ride. Nothing new here, but I still enjoy the pleasant cruise through favorite films such as Indiana Jones, Aliens, the Wizard of Oz, and many more. Next we headed to the Backstage Tour, first getting a demonstration of special effects with a patrol boat on the water attracting enemy aircraft fire. Then we boarded a tram for a tour through the lot, viewing the costuming warehouse, props department, etc.. Right next to this ride is the new car racing stunt show. Just the noise of the brakes screeching and engines revving put me off for that show due to the high decibels. From here, we stopped to watch the Jedi Academy in front of Star Tours, where little kids got their chance to fight Darth Nader. We strolled around, ending up at Mama Melrose’s Italian Restaurant for lunch. The eggplant Napoleon was delicious. A wood and brick interior, mini white lights throughout, gave the place a pleasant atmosphere.

We exited the park at one o’clock in the afternoon, having walked all the way around and eaten lunch. This is the good part of living nearby, and having annual passes. The next day, we did the same thing at the Animal Kingdom. We strolled around the shady jungle paths, enjoying the fabulous job Disney employees did of depicting ancient ruins, Nepalian prayer flags, and other accurate details for the lands represented in Asia and Africa. At the far end, we took the train to the conservation station, noting where the animals spend their nights, the veterinary hospital where they are treated, and the research facilities. After strolling around for the rest of the morning, we ate lunch at the Flame Tree Barbecue before leaving the environs.

For other entertainment, we took our kids to Ikea that took up a good portion of the day. We  stopped in at Macy’s in Millennia Mall and ate dinner at the new Elephant Bar, an Asian restaurant, attached to Altamonte Springs Mall. There are many more things to do here now that the weather has warmed, aside from the tourist places. I like to visit the surrounding city parks and gardens and lakes, but we’ll save them for the next time.  Have to get back to the routine.

Sounds like a nice time. I haven't been to Disney World since 1976 and I was 16 then. I should go. I should just go anywhere to get away from the snow. We finally reached 100 inches of snow up here in the frozen tundra called Wisconsin. BTW, I got your first book, Permed to Death and am ready to read it. I am so totally reading these out of sequence mostly because of trying to find copies either on ebay or at the library or book shops but what I like about it is that even though I am reading it out of sequence I still can get the full impact as if I were. Great stories!

Thanks, Barbara. And I remember from growing up in NJ how long the winters stretched. Soon those tulips and daffodils will be peeking their heads out, though.