Let the countdown begin...

It’s amazing how five months can change you - or practically a year, for that matter.
So it’s April 7th, 2009. By this time next month I will be frantically packing because I’ll be leaving Orlando in a week and a day. That’s beyond scary to me, but at the same time I know I’ll be ok with going back north. How do I know? I saw Fantasmic the other night and didn’t cry like I usually do when Sorcerer Mickey ends the show. I’m getting way too comfortable and I know that this isn’t where I belong.

Will I be back? – oh hell yes. I’m going Seasonal ~ so you people are stuck with me for a week every year. Deal with it.

Because the countdown has officially started, I’ve been trying to do everything I should have done in the last year but didn’t. Laura and I got free tickets to Universal Studios, so I finally went after nine years. Let me tell you, we have become such “Disney snobs” (as Deena has called me. Haha). We totally judged the park based on its physical appearance, theme, cleanliness, and guest interaction.

The park is great – and I am especially excited for the new Harry Potter island in Islands of Adventure. Their theming (themeing? Theme-ing?) is amazing – although sometimes too drawn out (i.e. Dueling Dragons. No wonder the wait time was 10 minutes, it took 10 min to just walk through the damn castle).

They did a wonderful job with the Mummy Rollercoaster. Animatronics, pyrotechnics, projections, and more special effects mixed with a coaster? Sweet.

We probably enjoyed the Simpsons ride a little too much – for the sheer fact that it totally made fun of Disney the whole time. We sat with an extended family, and no one laughed more than we did.

Out of Universal and Islands of Adventure – Islands is my pick. With the great rollercoasters (ie Hulk), the Spiderman ride (ingenious), Cyclops (Scott Summers – X-Men…) roaming the street, Seuss Landing, and the new Harry Potter Island, it really is well done. 5 gold stars to you, Islands of Adventure.

SeaWorld is up next – perhaps this Thursday? We’re trying to catch a day when Daniel will be there!

Last night was the first time I saw a concert at HOB (House of Blues )– sad, I know. We saw LADY GAGA, White Tie Affair, and the other opening acts (two or three others… LoL). Obviously going in, I only really knew three of her songs (thanks to Sean and Patrick for playing them for me to prove who she was so I’d get tickets. Haha) I really did have a great time, although I was deaf and blinded for most of it. It was exactly as I had foreseen it – a giant dance party with a live band who happens to be famous; but with good dancers all around and amazing music, it really was a better night than I had thought it would be – so thanks to the boys for dragging me. It was also good to see some familiar faces – Becca’s roommates, Pockets (Note to self: Friend Joe), Audra and her friend, Patrick – and met some new friends.

Now I’m sifting through all my photos from my CP in order to start putting together my usual tradition: a good bye slideshow. I’m remembering all the amazing times I’ve had here, and I am so, so grateful for being able to have this opportunity. Let the countdown begin and let the good times roll!