Do you believe in magic?
In seven days, we created so many memories. We laughed, we cried, while being super hot and sweaty in Orlando. We visited Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Universal Studios. Here are a few highlights from each of the parks we visited:
Epcot
Orlando was never on my list of places to visit. And when I hear Epcot, all I think of is the giant golf ball sized monument that people take pictures in front of. When we got to Orlando, I learned Epcot is a trip around the world: you can visit France, Morocco, Japan, Italy, Norway, the list goes on! This was an opportunity for Sheldon and I to cross off places we always wanted to take our kids to together. After Penn’s cancer diagnosis, we replaced our dreams and aspirations with what she wanted to do, and what she wanted to accomplish. This is how Penn created her own bucket list. We always dreamed how we would take Paige and Penn to Paris, our favourite city in the world, or to Japan to eat okonomiyaki, sashimi and sukiyaki rice bowls. And unexpectedly, we were given the perfect opportunity to do so. We ate crepes underneath the "Eiffel Tower", and sat along the river Seine at a French cafe. We ate sushi, sashimi, and edamame in "Japan." Penn's dreams are coming true on this trip, but never in a million years did we think our dreams would come true too.
Thumbs up for the hazelnut crepe in Paris!
We were melting in the hot afternoon sun along the Seine, but Penn was cold!
Animal Kingdom
There were a lot of firsts our family experienced together too. Our first ride together was the African Safari in Animal Kingdom. The girls loved it. Penn's favourite part was seeing the family of hippos. The baby hippo was five years old, just like her. We saw hundreds of birds and fishes. We saw giraffes, zebras, and lions basking on top of “pride rock.”
Paigey, Sheldon and I also danced to live music (Encanto) while Nicole and Penn watched. We had an incredible time. It was so magical. My words don’t do it justice.
Sheldon and I have been together for nearly 17 years. And we have never gone on a rollercoaster ride together. Thanks to the golden pass, we could skip any line to any ride, as many times as we want. We chose Expedition Everest that had a current wait time of nearly two hours. My body was not used to the G force because I was so sick after. I will not add the photo that was taken while we were on the rollercoaster (too embarrassing). But let's just say, Sheldon looked fantastic (as per usual) and I well, I looked horrendous.
I was extremely nauseous in this photo. I had no idea the rollercoaster would go backwards.
Universal Studios
Universal Studios was Penn's favourite park. When Penn was diagnosed last year, Sheldon started reading Harry Potter to her. It was magical to see Sheldon and Penn bond over their love of Harry Potter. Penn at this point of the trip would sleep through most of the attractions, however, she was awake for most of the day at Universal Studios. We took the Hogwarts train at platform 9 3/4, had butterbeer along Diagon Alley, took a photo in front of Ollivander's wand shop and visited Hogwarts castle. The other thing I learned on this trip is virtual rides are worse than rollercoasters! The second ride Sheldon and I went on together was Harry Potter and the forbidden journey. Thankfully, nurse Nicole preemptively gave me Gravol. Once again, our picture is super embarrassing, so that will not be posted on the blog. Ha!
After visiting Hogsmeade, we travelled to London - another place I always wanted to take Paige and Penn to. We then walked to San Francisco, before it started to rain. Penn loved the seafood so much, we had to get a second plate of shrimp!
Penn was adamant that Sheldon be by her side in Hogsmeade. It was great to see them bond and connect.
Waiting for the train in Hogsmeade
Paige loved meeting a minion.
Magic Kingdom
We celebrated Paige's 7th birthday at Magic Kingdom. She was so happy to see Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Daisy. She had a permanent smile on her face while we visited Magic Kingdom. Not sure how I can top this birthday. She got two special pins: first Disneyworld visit, and celebrating a birthday. We rode it’s a small world after all, ate lobster rolls, watched the parade, and visited several princesses.
Penn waving to Mickey Mouse, saying, “thank you for meeting Paige. It was her dream to meet you!”
My favourite photo of Paigey from our Orlando trip.
“Mom! Take a pic of me in front of Minnie Mouse.”
I love this girl so much.
Paige and Penn’s first encounter with one of the Disney princesses. Princess Tiana.
Rapunzel
Of course, the whole purpose of our Make-a-Wish trip was to visit a very special princess - Cinderella. It was so special for our girls to meet Cinderella because it was on Paige’s 7th birthday, and it was the last item on Penn’s bucket list. This special moment deserves its own post - stay tuned.