WARNING: Super picture-heavy post ahead!

I just spent a week in Disney to celebrate the bestie's birthday, and it was awesome! Full disclosure, I am very proudly a massive Disney fan, so my opinions are more than a little biased. I love singing the songs (loudly), watching the films (with snacks in my cozy jammies), and Disneybounding <-- For those of you not familiar with this concept, it's basically dressing in a normal outfit that is similar to how a certain Disney character looks. I don't know if this is the website that started it all, but it certainly carries the name. And I dressed up every single day we were there. See?

Day 1 - Loki.  I feel quite proud of this outfit, as it was the only time I was randomly selected for an additional security search.  They obviously know trouble when they see it. :p — Day 1 - Loki. I feel quite proud of this outfit, as it was the only time I was randomly selected for an additional security search. They obviously know trouble when they see it. :p

Day 2 - Harry Potter, Ravenclaw.  Not actually Disney, I know, but it had to be done, as we were visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios that day. — Day 2 - Harry Potter, Ravenclaw. Not actually Disney, I know, but it had to be done, as we were visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios that day.

Day 3 - Merida of Brave.  I forgot my sunglasses on this day, thus the squinting.  During our visit to Animal Kingdom, we found a fab little place called Nomad Lounge off the beaten path and had some really yummy adult drinks.  I cann… — Day 3 - Merida of *Brave*. I forgot my sunglasses on this day, thus the squinting. During our visit to Animal Kingdom, we found a fab little place called Nomad Lounge off the beaten path and had some really yummy adult drinks. I cannot recommend this place enough, as it's cool inside with lots of comfy chairs and good food.

Day 4 - Elsa (coronation outfit).  We spent this day split between Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs.  All I am going to say about this is Star Wars and T-Rex Restaurant makes for a happy pair of friends, indeed! — Day 4 - Elsa (coronation outfit). We spent this day split between Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs. All I am going to say about this is Star Wars and T-Rex Restaurant makes for a happy pair of friends, indeed!

Day 5 - Darth Vader in the Magic Kingdom with fabulous mouse ears.  Unconventional?  Yes.  Do I care.  Not at all. :-) — Day 5 - Darth Vader in the Magic Kingdom with fabulous mouse ears. Unconventional? Yes. Do I care. Not at all. :-)

Day 6 - Holyhead Harpies fan (Harry Potter).  Technically not a day, as we left early on this day to make the long drive home, but good enough.  Oh, and that's the view behind me from just outside our room. — Day 6 - Holyhead Harpies fan (Harry Potter). Technically not a day, as we left early on this day to make the long drive home, but good enough. Oh, and that's the view behind me from just outside our room.

We sang along with the songs playing over the loudspeakers and rode silly rides (I fully recommend making use of Disney's Magic Bands and FastPass+ service (all of which can be setup online), as those things will make your life so much easier. Oh! And the International Food and Wine Festival was on in Epcot while we were there, so we got yummies from lots of the different country-representing booths. Here are some more pictures (some with commentary):

First night.  I don't know if you can tell, but we were very excited to have arrived.

Begin the pictures of Diagon Alley!  I actually don't have that many, but the few I have really show the incredible level of attention to detail that was paid when creating this amazing area.

This is in Hogsmeade, the archway where we've begun a tradition of sitting underneath while I enjoy some pumpkin juice and stuff my face with a Cauldron Cake.

We made friends with a raptor!  He tried to eat my hair.

STAR WARS!!!  AMAZING!!!  Need I say more?

I'm incredibly disappointed that Sally didn't end up buying this in the end.

Because why wouldn't you want a dragon-Maleficent fighting Prince Phillip made entirely of Lego?

T-Rex Restaurant in Disney Springs!  I cannot praise this place highly enough.  It was silly and fun and the food was delicious and everyone was so stinking nice.  It is very loud, but that's what happens when you have meteor showers

Disney has seriously upped their ear game.

Look at all the fall decor!!!  It's so fun!!!  #mycontinuingloveaffairwithautumn

Classic!  I couldn't not take a picture.

And so begins the parade of pictures of our resort, the French Quarter in Port Orleans.  So much fabulousness!

Honestly, the only thing that I didn't enjoy was the 10+ hour drive down to WDW. The last six hours is basically nothing punctuated by billboards sure to offend someone. I am so glad we were able to do this to celebrate the bestie's 30th birthday. [insert endless smileys here]

In other news, there's only one week left to get Out of the Shadows at special pre-order prices - $10.99 in print, $0.99 for Kindle, and free with Kindle Unlimited. It's available here from Amazon.

Thanks for reading!

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Dana Fraedrich