FOOD!!

While I know much of my blog is made up of food pictures, I have had several dining experiences that have failed to make it into a post. That's why I am dedicating this whole post to something that's always been there for me, something that never lets me down-- food!

Yesterday my fabulous coworker, Kristian, and I went to Olivia's for lunch. This is the restaurant right next door to my merchandise store at Old Key West. I have been smelling it for the past four months and I couldn't wait to try it out! Let me tell you, it did not disappoint!!

I got the Duval burger 

And banana bread pudding <3 p="">

Finally got around to trying the cream cheese pretzel when I went to Typhoon with Meg few days ago too!

When Melanie and I went to Hollywood Studios a couple weeks ago, we decided to try out Pizza Planet. I got the veggie pizza which comes with a Caesar salad

I can't say that I was blown away with the quality of food here...but I mean, it IS an arcade, I probably should have expected the frozen pizza taste.

Speaking of pizza, Marisa and I tried out Pinocchio Village Haus the other day. We ordered the BBQ chicken flat bread and a blue raspberry slush. My first impression wasn't too great because it took forEVER to get our food. It turned out the registers were messed up, blah blah blah, but we did eventually get our food and the flat bread was AMAZING!

But the slush was kind of pathetic

Another adventure with Marisa included Pecos Bill. It's located in frontier land and they have build your own taco salads! They provide you with the shell and meat and the rest is up to you.

I really enjoyed this because it's so different from the typical Disney food offered everywhere else.

Also located in Frontier land, the Golden Oak Outpost offers corn nuggets. I definitely couldn't pass up the opportunity to get one of my favorite foods in fried form ;)

One of the best meals I've ever had was at Liberty Tree Tavern. I was given the opportunity to join my roommate, Sarah, and her family for dinner and I was blown away! The rolls, turkey, stuffing, potatoes, jonny Appleseed cake....it was all so perfect I almost cried

I'd like to end this post with a memory near and dear to my heart

Self-serve Dole Whip...you are missed.

LAST visit from the fam

YAY, my brother and his family came for a visit! It was kind of bittersweet because though I was SUPER excited for them to be here, I knew it would be the last visit from my family :( That also made me realize how close to the end of my program I'm getting-- I've only got five more weeks here!!

But, moving on, they stayed at All-Star sports resort. It was pretty cool to go exploring :)

The first day of park hopping began in Hollywood Studios. It was awesome because there were extra magic hours from 8AM-9AM and we got to ride Tower of Terror and Rockin Roller coaster with no wait!

(Asher wasn't so sure)

(Asher REALLY wasn't sure, haha)

Thankfully, we were able to get fast passes for Toy Story Mania :)

And meet Buzz and Woody

AND Emmaline met Minnie!! (she's slightly obsessed)

After Studios we went to Magic Kingdom for a bit.

Josh and Asher casually gnawing away at a pork shank 

Ava "holding the castle"

They're pretty cute

OH! One of the last things we did that night was go to the Monsters Laugh Floor and guess who was "that guy"?!?

Second day of hopping included MORE magic hours! Josh, Ava, and I went early and hopped on Space Mountain first thing

Later, Asher became a part of Jack Sparrow's pirate crew 

Then Ava got sent to time out ;)

Pretty girl riding Buzz Lightyear 

We both took our jobs very seriously, haha

After a full day at Magic Kingdom we went over to Epcot for their extra magic hours (9PM-11PM). 

Asher waiting in line for Test Track

SOO glad they could come visit!! 

Just a few Disney adventures ;)

A couple days ago I went to the Wave with two of my fabulous coworkers. We all went for the buffet (with our discount it's only $12!!) and boy did we (especially me...) get our money's worth! 

Looks like a lot huh? Naah, this was just plate one!

Then, since the Wave is located in the Comtemporary resort, we decided to walk over to Magic Kingdom for a few minutes. Tevin informed Ashley and me that he had NEVER been on Space Mountain, so ooobviously we had to change that :)

After that I met up with Hallie and Emily at Typhoon Lagoon for a few. They got the sand pail!!! (Unfortunately I couldn't join in on the fun since I was already exploding from breakfast...) 

Then I went to work...

Today is my day off so I met up with these lovely ladies for some fun at DAK

Dinosaur was scary, as usual

When I got home, I had a letter from Kayla...from China!! Yaaay

THEN, I got an email about a package! My mom's the best :)

My current collection of arm candy 

I love life :)

Making Magic with the family

For our second and final day of park excursions we went to Magic Kingdom. 

We rode some rides but, more importantly, we went to Gaston's Tavern! The pork shank is quite tasty

and the cinnamon rolls are still massive!

we got our first Disney banana too :)

Ada experienced the tea cups

And discovered her true love--balloons! 

she seriously loves them

even down to the Mickey weights, haha

Then mom and dad went on Space Mountain with me!! 

(They then informed me that it was the last time they would ever ride Space Mountain with me...)

and of course we had to get a nutella and fresh fruit waffle sandwich

So glad they could come stay with me, I sure had a fabulous time :)

Family, food, and Space Mountain w/ LIGHTS!

We had a lot to cram into our two days of park exploration time, so try to keep up ;)

Also, this is only day one of the parks.

First we went to Hollywood Studios.

Obviously we had to go on Tower of Terror...even my mom went!!

Then we went on Rock'n Roller Coaster

(Great shot I know...it was right before Abby lost her phone!! Hah)

We also hit Star tours and the great movie ride

and obviously got the typical group picture with the hat! 

Then we actually went back to Coronado Springs for a bit so mom, dad, and Ada could take a nap and we could go swimming!

(Michael and I definitely got yelled at for going head first, but...it was worth it)

Theeen we went to Epcot :D

Flower and Garden festival is seriously the best! 

Side note: I probably should have gotten more pictures of the family, but the food just looked SO good--I got distracted.

Canada: cronut a la mode (croissant crossed with doughnut)

One of my faves :)

England: fish and chips 

I actually wasn't too keen on this one cause I don't like fish much, but I'm so glad my dad got it because it was seriously AMAZING!

France: random sweets but all I have on record was the chocolate eclair

Morocco: lamb roll and chicken kabobs with couscous...but we ate them before I got a picture. Guess that tells you how fabulous they smelled!! Hah

Japan: frushi!! Get it? Sushi but with fruit!? 

America: brisket, collards, and jalapeño cornbread 

AND 

pulled pig slider

Definitely my dad's favorite food of the day, and for good reason, they were both perfect!

Oh...and we got an American funnel cake for good measure too :)

China: candied strawberries and spring pancake 

The strawberries were my mom's favorite and I think the spring pancake is mine

I think that covers all of the food we consumed...in Epcot at least.

Fab family shot in front of the ball

Then we moved on to Magic Kingdom for wishes and celebrate the magic! 

We had a few minutes to kill though so we decided to ride the people mover first...

and.....

we saw....

SPACE MOUNTAIN WITH THE LIGHTS ON!!

Seriously made my night! 

I mean, don't get me wrong, I still want to be ON the ride when the lights come on, but this will at least hold me over til that happens :)