While our poor friends in Indiana were being covered in a layer of ice, we enjoyed a fabulous day. We felt guilty - for about ten seconds!
Daily Mass at Mary Queen of the Universe
We happily returned to Mary, Queen of the Universe for noon mass in the chapel.
On one wall is a niche with a wonderful depiction of the Blessed Mother's appearance to Juan Diego in Guadeloupe, Mexico. This appearance predated Lourdes and Fatima by hundreds of years! Our Lady of Guadeloupe is the patron saint of North America
The chapel is gorgeous - the stained glass window is a field or stars and is a fascinating background for worship - a reminder that God is God of the Universe, not just our little BB flying through the ether.
A visit to Mickey's Kingdom!
After a nice lunch at Panera's, we headed to Disney World!
We've learned some tricks over the years and drove to Shades of Green (where we'd stayed several years ago). We knew that we could visit the pro shop for the golf course without any hassle. Once parked there, we could roam the facility.
Shades of Green is a Disney Resort Hotel but is open to active, reserve, and retired military. Walt Disney was an avid supporter of the US Military all his life and that support remains his legacy to this day.
The Disney golf courses are phenomenally well kept and are available at a greatly reduced rate to military members on a Space A basis 24 hours in advance at a greatly reduced rate.
The course next to Shades of Green is Magnolia and is the best of the five Disney courses.
The oldest Disney Hotel is the Contemporary. The Monorail runs through the center of the hotel highlighting the futuristic concept of the hotel. Keep in mind, this was designed in the late 60's!
One of the most beautiful resort hotels is the Floridian - a reminder of a delicate and elegant era of fine hotels in the south.
In the expansive atrium of the Floridian is a grand piano.
This young man was wonderful playing first modern music then classical with equal ease and skill.
The Monorail runs to all the hotels and links at the Transportation Center with another monorail to Epcot.
All of the transportation system on Disney is complementary - no charge to ride.
The little boats travel to the resorts including The Flordian, Polynesian Village, Frontierland, and the Contemporary as well as a stop at Magic Kindgom.
A old looking "river boat" travels back and forth from the Transportation Center to Magic Kingdom. We rode it over, caught a Monorail to Epcot and then headed back across.
While we rode the ferry, we struck up a conversation with a young man who worked for Disney World. He said he was taking his girl into Magic Kingdom and he could take us in too as his guests! So we did! We have not been to Magic Kingdom since our kids were small - probably 25-30 years!
Main Street still ends at Cinderella's Castle!
We came down Main Street in time to see a staging of a combination of a bunch of stories.
Walt Disney is fondly remembered throughout the entire facility.
For those of us who remember him personally introducing the Mickey Mouse Club, Spin and Marty, and all the other Disney shows, we remember that smile!
Of course, Mickey (and Minnie) is everywhere - even in the shrubbery!
But we were finally discovered!
If anyone has $150, please send it to bail us out!
I swear, we'll never crash Magic Kingdom again!
As the sun sets, the colors come out and Disney World lights up!
Tomorrow, bicycling in Kissimmee and dinner with an old friend!
Don't feel guilty about the beautiful weather. Feel guilty about not giving us an update for 7 days!
ReplyDeleteDid you fall off the bike and break your mousing arm? Or perhaps you had your computer with you and it broke!
;~}