4th of July -- Disney style

As I’m sure it’s obvious, I’m a huge Disney fan and try to go to the parks as often as I can.  I recently celebrated my 10 year anniversary of the first time I went to Walt Disney World (WDW) back in 2002.  Since then, I have visited the Resort around 22 times. 

Throughout the course of my visits, I somehow managed to be on property during every major U.S. holiday, except for July 4.  The only reason why I haven’t gone before is due to the crowd level during that week.  (The July 4^th holiday is one of the most celebrated ones in the U.S., and it also marks the 2^nd busiest day at WDW, so that always gave me an excuse not to go).

Well since I’m back at Southwest Airlines, I still have my Disney Cast Member discounts until the end of the year, and I had the 4^th of July off, I decided that it was the perfect time to go!

So after work on Tuesday, I flew to Orlando to start celebrating the 4^th of July!

Here's a pic of lighting from the airplane! Soo cool!

Shortly after my flight landed, we went to Downtown Orlando and had too much fun!

I was actually very surprised that I was able to stay up as late as we did.  I'm usually whining if I'm not in bed my 10 p.m., but I think my excitement about being at Disney for July 4th really had me anxious!

Because the parks are freakishly busy during July 4, I thought it was best to spend the day at EPCOT because it holds the most people and you wouldn't feel how crowded the park really was.  The only crummy part of the day was the weather when we first arrived.  As you can see, it was raining pretty bad but it truly helped keep the temperature down (which was okay in my book!!)

Conner's first encounter with a Disney character! He's never been to WDW before!

We got to meet up with Ariel too! She was so nice!

After we road a few rides in Future World, we headed to the World Showcase to walk around the countries. Once we passed up Mexico and Norway, we decided to take a picture in every country from there on, so here they are!

China

Germany

Italy

 

America!!!!

Japan

Morocco

France

 

United Kingdom

Canada

I loved taking a picture in every country because it really made visiting each pavilion even more fun!

And now... the part we've all been waiting for.... THE FIREWORKS SHOW!!!!

This one is my favorite!!!!!!!!!! It was a spectacular ending!

Here's a video that I shot from my phone.

 I knew that Disney did it big on July 4, but I had no idea it was that amazing!!! I will definitely be back again!

Katy Perry -- An Inspiration to Us All

Went to go see Katy Perry: Part of Me 3D movie last night and it KICKED BUTT!!!

I have to admit.....I just love Katy Perry!!!

Here are the reasons why:
1. She’s the most down to earth, kind hearted, and for lack of a better term, realest singer out there
2. She has the best acoustic live performances
3. Her unique vocals & KILLER VOICE
4. Her life/career story is so inspirational, proving that hard work makes dreams come true
5. The fact that she refused to stick to the status quo to make it in Hollywood
6. All of her music is so freaking catchy

I remember back in 2008 when her song “I Kissed a Girl” came out and it wasn’t the lyrics that won me over – it was her voice! I’ve always been a huge fan of pop entertainers, but whenever I heard her song for the first time, I knew she was gonna make it big, and how right I was!

Fast forward to last summer when Austin and my friend Raymond took me to her concert for my birthday, and I just fell in love with her again. I have been to a lot of concerts, but I have never been so captivated by a performance.  She had the best live performance out of anyone I had ever heard.  Not to mention she was so freaking funny.

FUN FACT: Did you know that the first radio station to play any of Katy Perry’s songs was here in Dallas, TX??

Anyway, I wanted to share a few pics from last night's adventure at the movies!