Williams Family: My "Belle" Day in the Walt Disney World Parks

When the husband and I were daydreaming about living with Walt Disney World in our backyard, we talked about themed park visit days.  I planned and enjoyed a day playing in the parks centered around my favorite Disney Princess, Belle.

Belle is my favorite Disney Princess because she loves to read, can see the person inside the Beast and Gaston, is brave, and of course, her yellow (my favorite color!) ball gown.  The color scheme helped me with my wardrobe selection for the day.

I mapped out my day--Hollywood Studios for Beauty and the Beast--Live on Stage with the first show at 11:00 am. It is helpful to know showtimes in advance which can be found on the MyDisneyExperience app or Walt Disney World website.

A boat ride from Hollywood Studios to EPCOT put me right where I wanted to be--France for Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along.  This is a continuously running show so I wasn't as worried about the timing. The animation reminded me of Mickey's Philharmagic and the star of this version of the story is LeFou, Gaston's sidekick. No photography or video allowed in the Sing-Along.

The next step was a timing mistake on my part--meeting Belle in EPCOT.  As I walked to the queue, she was greeting her last family and would not return for an hour. I walked on and rode the Friendship Launch from Morocco to Canada and stopped for a tasty lunch at Bramblewood Bites, an outdoor kitchen for Food and Wine Festival.  

I ventured through World Celebration, through the park exit, and up to the Monorail Station for a highway in the sky ride from EPCOT to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) with a transfer to the Express Monorail to Magic Kingdom. 

Arrived just in time to watch the Festival of Fantasy Parade, with my gal Belle, at the front of the leading parade float!

Off to Fantasyland for Enchanted Tales with Belle.  The queue said 30 minutes, but the actual wait time was more like 45 minutes, plus the time to enjoy the attraction. Yes, I have experienced Enchanted Tales with Belle before, but the enchanted mirror in Maurice's workshop still blows me away!  I was chosen to play a knight for Belle's surprise!

As I walked out of Fantasyland, giddy from my time with Belle, I spied no line at Sir Mickey's Portrait Studio.  As I explained my themed day to the Photopass Photographer, we agreed on some playful photos featuring Beauty and the Beast inspired props.

One more stop on my Belle themed park day--Enchanted Rose, a Lounge, at the Grand Floridan, just a Resort Monorail ride away. The lounge has a light fixture that is inspired by Belle's dress.  (The same fixture is in Topolino's Terrace at the Riviera Resort, but I set that out of my mind and focused on Belle.) 

With my themed day complete, I rode a bus from the Grand Floridian to Hollywood Studios to the car.

Thinking about your own themed park tour? Consider your theme--the husband has one percolating. Know which shows, attractions, restaurants, etc. may fit with your theme.  I typed in Belle and Beauty and the Beast in the search function of the Walt Disney World website to help my plan. Plan for transportation if your themed day takes you to more than one location.  I enjoy the convenience of Walt Disney World transportation options--busses, boats, monorails, Skyliner.  And, make sure your theme park ticket allows for Park Hopping, if your themed day takes you to more than one Walt Disney World theme park.

Would I do this again? Definitely! 

Williams Family: A Year and a Half Into Our Florida Life

 

Exactly 18 months ago, we landed in our Central Florida home to begin our new life as retired Floridians.  This transition was years in the making--dreaming, planning, deciding, doing!  After a year and a half, how is it going?

We are extremely pleased with our home's location.  We've noted over the last few months that the physical structure of our building is a bit elevated, and we are positioned at the North side of the building which means plenty of light, but no direct sun exposure.  We also enjoy the view from our lanai. We are minutes from Walt Disney World, less than an hour round-trip to Orlando International Airport. Universal and SeaWorld parks are nearby. Our condo community is fiscally sound (important to note given legislative changes in Florida).  We have been granted "Homestead" exemption on our property taxes.  We are also near family, John and Diane, Todd's brother and his wife, live in Lakeland, Florida, about 40 miles away.

Speaking of our condo community, we have made friends and established relationships. Weekly dominoes brings a group together.  I no longer feel like the "new" person and have been able to connect other residents to each other with similar interests or needs.  Yesterday, I met Dona from Myrtle Beach while in the pool but I had already met her via phone when her realtor was showing her the property along with her daughter.  Dona said, "You're that Jody" and went on to tell me that I had made an impression when speaking about the community during that impromptu meeting during the tour.  Also, I am joining the HOA Board.

Sadie, our dog, thankfully is not impacted by fireworks.  She enjoys walks, especially on the paved path around Center Lake, a block from our building. Her favorite pastime is to watch the lizards on the lanai screen--a never ending nature show. It does take her a while to warm up to other people, but she happily visits John and Diane, and their cat, George.

We have established ourselves at local banks, physician offices, pharmacy, dentist, and nail salon.  Our care is registered in Florida along with our Driver's licenses and voter registration. 

Are there any cons? Sure.  Our son is far away, driving can be interesting, and tropical storms are not a favorite, but there are cons anywhere someone lives. 

Our adventure is just getting started!

Williams Family: It's Hard to Be Fake in a Swimsuit

 

On a sandbar in The Bahamas

While attending an HOA Board meeting the other day, a friendly neighbor greeted me with, "We finally see each other in clothes."  I responded with a smile, "Shhh. . . don't tell." The exchange was humorous and telling about when we see each other which is at the pool.  And, it got me thinking about relationships from and formed at pools, lakes, beaches; any location while wearing a swimsuit. 

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Wave Pool

I have lived a significant part of my life in a swimsuit. Lake Wapello visits as a young child, YWCA and YMCA swim lessons, summers hanging out at the municipal swimming pool, high school Shark Club (synchronized swimming), college pool and lake days, and summer camp counselor supervisor assigned to the pool. My first apartment had a community pool and when I moved from there, I spent summer days at the local pool.  Our son grew up going to pools, beaches, and waterparks both locally and as a traveler. When the pandemic hit, an inflatable pool in the backyard was my go-to and now we have a beautiful community pool that is "ours" and often, mine, as the only visitor.  And, ocean beaches a short drive away.  

Tubing the Martha Brae River in Jamaica 

I was told once that I look confident in a bathing suit.  Agree.  I have a relationship with myself that allows me to be confident in a swimsuit. I have witnessed others sit on the sidelines viewing the watery fun from a distance for varying reasons: fear of water, uncomfortable in a swimsuit, etc. And while I have been many shapes and sizes over the last half-century and more, there has not been hesitation to put on a swimsuit and enjoy.  I want others to feel the same!

AquaDuck, Disney Fantasy

It has been fun to meet other residents in our community pool.  We obviously have something in common--the enjoyment of our pool--and upon conversation, we typically find more in common.  With a single layer of clothing, typically no make-up, little or no jewelry, and usually a head covering, it is difficult to put on airs or be less than authentic when meeting new people at the pool.  It's hard to be fake in a swimsuit. . . and easy to get to know the real person. 

A lazy river at a Disney waterpark