Live, Laugh, Relax with Cam and Fam Completed 7/31 About This Page:

[bsblady01]

more please

[lauriep]

Those Crocs are soooo cute!

[HollyH]

Those croc loafers are adorable!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Except I wonder how big my feet would look in them ? I'm going to look for those next week .

[Cheriemek]

Cam - where did you find those Crocs?

[Luvsun]

Your meal at Teppan Edo looks and sounds delicious! I think I have to put that one on my to do list too! You had such great meals! I am just sorry that it was your last wonderful meal of the trip.
Your Croc loafers are so cute!

[Ariel&Alice]

love those loafers!! so cute!

[Cam22]

Next: Finishing our travels around the World



After the Japanese storyteller finished her tale, we wandered around Japan a little more. At one point a sweet British lady asked me if I was a Muggle. At first I was confused and then remembered what shirt I had on – my Muggle shirt. She also asked if we were going to Universal to see WWoHP the next day as she was. She was genuinely happy that I had read and loved the series. I was a little envious that she would be at WWoHP for opening day and I’d be back in Owensboro. Shortly after this encounter, the Japanese drummers came out and we watched for a few minutes. But the sun was back out and intense so we didn’t stay long. I took some pictures while Luke and Stefanie stayed in what little shade they could find.









We then moved on, arriving in America at 1:25 where we caught the tail end of the Voices of Liberty. Beautiful voices! I’m a soprano and found this soprano’s voice incredible. She was not overwhelming, but crystal clear on pitch.







We had short wait until we could go up via the escalator to The American Dream. We got good seats. I love this show and it’s cushy seats and A/C.

Our travels took us next to Italy. It was very hot and the sun was bearing down on us, so we decided to head into the first shop there. We found a wine we liked, but we were unsure how we’d get it home. We’ll remember it for next year, and buy it early in our trip and take it back to our room. We checked out the Via Napoli site and then moved back into the shops on the other side. Luke and I both sniffed quite a few perfumes and colognes. I finally picked Bvlgari Omnia Crystalline and Luke chose Bvlgari Aqva. I love this scent as well as my Laila from Norway.

We trekked to the African Outpost to see Andrew Mutiso’s work. Unfortunately, there were no giraffe like I had wanted, so I’ll just check back again next June. At this point we decided to head back to the Beach Club as it was thundering, lightning, and generally looking stormy. We did stop for a PhotoPass picture at Germany.





We stopped one more time at the International Gateway for some more PhotoPass pictures.













I really love these pictures of the three of us and of just Luke and me, my favorites of the trip. Hard to believe we were getting ready to leave our happy place.

Luke needed a restroom break just as rain began to fall in earnest. We had a late flight so DME pick ups was not for a couple of hours (it was currently 3:10), so Stefanie and I moved to a bench under cover. We decided to see if the rain lessened before we made the last 5 minute walk back to the Beach Club. The rain came down harder by 3:30, and was still pouring at 3:45. I checked the radar on my iPhone and the light rain that was falling around 4:00 looked like our best chance to head back. Stefanie and I donned our ponchos, and we started the walk home for the last time.

We went in the nearest entrance and wove our way to The Marketplace for the chocolate croissant and 2 drinks. We sat and ate, drying off in the process. I repacked the ponchos and then we made a restroom stop. We checked on our carryons, but bell services told us to just wait inside and they’d have our bags ready at the right time. Sweet! Back in the lobby, we found comfy seats and just waited.







Around 5:20, Stefanie and I made one more restroom break, then it was outside to wait for our DME bus. It was about 5 minutes late. We picked up more folks at BWI and then at the YC before heading off to MCO. Stefanie wanted Luke this time as her partner, so I got a quiet ride to the airport. Of course, she was enthralled with the video and pointed out several things for Luke to see. She saw the WDW gates on the opposite lanes and told Luke that she did not want to leave.
Stefanie: “I don’t wanna leave.”
Luke: “Well, we have to.”
Stefanie: “Could we just take the sign home with us?”

Before we knew it, we were dropped off at Terminal A at MCO. So nice not to have to check our bags this year as that had already been done. We took the elevator to Level 3 and joined the very long and packed line to go through security. Our boarding passes and ID were checked and we were herded into the family line. for the family line! We piled all our goodies in bins and onto the conveyor belt. Stefanie stepped through the scanner – no problem. Cam stepped through the scanner – beep, sent back for a second walk through – no beep, but I was sent to the corner where my hands were swabbed. The gruff voiced security guy said, “Nothing. You’re clear. Oh have a good day.” Thank goodness! Luke stepped through the scanner – no problem. But that meant he was alone with Stefanie and all our stuff. Poor Stefanie who struggles putting on her shoes was trying to do so in the line. I got her shoes and bag for her and headed her over to the nearby bench as I picked up a carryon and one bin. Luke got the laptop and then had to reload his pockets. I came back for Stefanie’s backpack and soon Luke joined us to put his shoes back on. Now we can relax a bit and breathe a sigh of relief.

Time for dinner. Stefanie chose chicken nuggets and fries from McDonald’s and got her precious Dr. Pepper. Luke chose a pretzel from Sbarro. I had a New York Style Supreme Super Slice from Sbarro. We found our Gate 123 and three free seats where we munched on our dinners.

At 8:10 we took our mandatory restroom break. The boarding call came shortly after Luke left for his break. Somehow Stefanie and I got all our bags together and began searching for A 39, 40, and 41. Luke caught up with us before we reached our spot and took some of the bags.

Stefanie made the ticket taker happy with the goodie bags as he was hungry. The flight attendant who took the bags for the crew was also very appreciative. Luke snagged Row 5 ABC and we got situated. Somewhere over the past 12 days I misplaced the Earplanes. We all managed to do well without them. Our flight took off a bit late as a connecting flight had been delayed and several folks were rushing to join us. But after they arrived, take off came very quickly. We had light rain, but then we were above the clouds. We could see the sunset in the far west out our window. While I was writing a few notes, Stefanie moved my notebook off the drink indentation as she’d checked down the aisle to see the flight attendants taking drink orders. We had Cheese Nips and Peanuts for snacks and 2 Coke Zeros and a Dr. Pepper to wash it all down. Stefanie was beaming as she’d had two Dr. Peppers now.

Stefanie spent the first part of the flight coloring in her new Toy Story mini-coloring book, first a Woody for me since he’s my favorite, next Buzz for her Daddy, and finally a Rex for the friend of ours whose brother died earlier this week. She tired quickly of coloring. The flight attendant gave her several coloring books and wings to share with friends, so she planned out which of her cousins would get one.

The pilot announced at 9:00 that we would begin our descent into Nashville, which seemed to set off Stefanie’s rambling chatter. She did have a bit of ear discomfort the lower we flew. But I got Stefanie to reminisce about our trip and to tell me when folks were having birthdays in June and July, distracting her from the changing pressure. We landed on schedule and even made some friends as we exited the plane. Two guys who had sat across from us told us they were from the Orlando area and they both had or were working at WDW. One had been a safari guide on Kilimanjaro Safaris. They told us about a place called Property Control were items that don’t sell plus lost stuff gets sold at ridiculously low prices. They also gave me some ideas about Disney employment. Basically good guys!

We headed to baggage claim after yet another restroom break. All 5 bags came through quickly and we took an elevator to the lower level to meet up with our parking service shuttle. They arrived very quickly and we were back to the Mickeymobile in about 10 minutes. Our bags were loaded and the bill paid in another few. We were on the road by 10:15, very weary indeed. We got to Bowling Green before stopping to get gas and coffee for Luke. The last hour of our trip home is so boring. Luke had some coffee and caffeine, but I kept dozing off. He counted the cars we saw in the opposite lanes to keep himself focused. At 50 cars, I decided to help out and that kept me awake and talking to help him. Of course, Stefanie didn’t seem a bit weary. At 12:40 AM we pulled into our driveway. We unloaded suitcases, got ready for bed, but it took awhile to fall asleep as our house was hot. The weather here in Kentucky had been hotter than Florida our first week and the same as Florida the second. So no relief from the heat and humidity for us. The high our first day home was in the upper 90s with a heat index of 105. Home, Sweet Home. And another Matthews’ June trip is in the books and on the boards. Just 10 months and 9 days until we return.

Next: Final Thoughts

[sc507]

At Stefanie's comment about the WDW sign! Tell her she can't have it, I'll miss seeing it on our trip Glad it was an uneventful trip home.

[lauriep]

So sad to see your trip report come to an end, but it was a wonderful one!

[stubekis]

Sniff! Can't believe it's over! Looking forward to hearing your final thoughts! What beautiful photos you took by the International Gateway. We never ran across a Photopass photographer there - wish we had for our photo CD. And I love the Muggle t-shirt - so adorable - I adore Harry Potter!

[buckinghammr]

So sad your TR is over. I so looked forward to checking for updates. How wonderful that you know you get to go back year after year. I haven't been in 15 years and DH has never been. Let's all hope he gets the Disney bug!!!

Thanks for sharing your trip!

[Griffin]

Cam, this has been one of my favorite TRs to read!! I'm sad to see it come to and end, but can't wait for your final thoughts!

[mandy1627]

Great ending to the trip!! I'm so to see it end, but I'm really glad to have taken this trip "with" you. I'm rather homesick right now, so it was fantastic! It was quite a magical trip, thank you so much for taking us along!!

[bsblady01]

sounds like you and your family had a magicval time at the world

[mcc0313]

Can I just say I get so sad reading about your last day, even after such a wonderful trip it is always sad to say goodbye but how nice that your countdown is up and running for next year