Vacation Days: Disney World 2016 + Some Very Exciting News!!

Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Spoiler alert, because I can't wait an entire blog post to tell you:

Paris Bakery at Epcot in Disney World, Florida

!!!!!!!!!

That's right, as of a little more than a week ago, I am officially engaged to the greatest, kindest, silliest, most thoughtful and wonderful guy I know. To say I am over-the-moon excited would be an extreme understatement! But I'll get to the whole engagement part in a bit. I just needed to start off by letting the long line of men waiting around for me know that I am now very much off the market.

(And by "long line of men waiting around for me" I'm referring to two people - my toddler godson Lincoln and an adorable 80+ year old man who once stopped me in Central Park and told me I looked like Jennifer Aniston. Yes of course he had 20/20 vision, why do you ask?)

My family is a Disney family. Like a fanatical, starry-eyed, super enthusiastic Disney family. We hadn't been to Disney World all together in three years (I had gone a separate time since then with friends). So we were pumped to go on this trip, along with Jon and Emily's boyfriend Danny! So if you're interested in the deets, scroll on down below for some photos (taken by me, my dad, and my sister) from our super fun and memorable family vacation!

We arrived late in the morning on a Thursday and all checked into our respective hotels, grabbing a bite to eat along the way.

Beach Club Villas in Disney World, Florida
salad at Beach Club Villas in Disney World, Florida

All of our hotels were on Disney property, and Jon and I stayed at the Beach Club Villas. Located on a beautiful boardwalk, and just a five minute's walk away from my favorite park, EPCOT, I absolutely loved this lovely hotel. I grabbed a quinoa, vegetable, chickpea salad from the hotel's marketplace for my lunch, and it was very tasty and filling!

Then we hopped on a bus and met up with everyone at Animal Kingdom!

Animal Kingdom in Disney World, Florida
magic bands at Animal Kingdom in Disney World, Florida

Animal Kingdom is beautiful and lush with vegetation, as well as - duh - animals. It's such a peaceful and pretty park!

Animal Kingdom in Disney World, Florida

^ Emily got chosen to be a line time taker for Kali River Rapids. We were very proud.

Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom in Disney World, Florida
Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom in Disney World, Florida

After the rapids, we went on Emily's favorite ride, Expedition Everest. It's this super fun roller coaster through "Mount Everest" and there may or may not even be a couple of scary yeti appearances along the way!

Then my mom and Jon needed a beer.

Animal Kingdom in Disney World, Florida

And Emily and I needed a (spiked!) Dole Whip.

Dole whips at Animal Kingdom in Disney World, Florida

This was pretty exciting for us because we love the Dole Whips at Magic Kingdom. But with rum? HELLO. Ice cream + pineapple juice + booze, yes please.

Maybe it was the live music, maybe it was the Dole Whips, or maybe it was the all around magic of Disney, but then we decided to dance in the streets like no one was watching.

Animal Kingdom in Disney World, Florida

(Except clearly Jon and Danny were, off to the right, and were quickly trying to get as far away from this bizarre family as possible).

(Also, please ignore my horrifying roots).

Then we watched the Festival of the Lion King live performance, followed by going on a safari, aka, watching Lion King but in real life.

safari at Animal Kingdom in Disney World, Florida
safari at Animal Kingdom in Disney World, Florida

We also hit up a spinning roller coaster ride that whips you around like crazy and makes you lose all feeling in your neck called Primeval Whirl.

Primeval Whirl at Animal Kingdom in Disney World, Florida

(The pole is covering Jon's face in this photo)

The last attraction we hit up at Animal Kingdom was what shockingly ended up being Jon's favorite thing we did, the Bug's Life 3D movie in the Tree of Life called, It's Tough to be a Bug!


Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom in Disney World, Florida
It's Tough to be a Bug! at Animal Kingdom in Disney World, Florida

Having worked up a major appetite, it was time for some food (and more booze)! We headed to Rix Lounge, a martini bar located in Disney's Coronado Springs hotel.

martini at Rix Lounge in Disney World, Florida
potato wedges at Rix Lounge in Disney World, Florida
flatbread at Rix Lounge in Disney World, Florida

First of all, you had me at martini bar. Second of all, it was a really swanky, fun spot. My martini was stiff and delicious. The food offered at Rix consists of mostly shareable bites from a small menu. There weren't a whole lot of veg options, but I ordered their buffalo chicken potato wedges without chicken (which I really enjoyed), as well as their veggie flatbread (which didn't really do much for me). The atmosphere was great, and we all had a really fun time!

Before embarking on Magic Kingdom the next morning, Jon and I ordered up some room service for breakfast. It was decently priced and really convenient because we were able to schedule it the night before. We did this twice during the trip, we were such big fans.

breakfast in Disney World, Florida

Both times I ordered an egg white vegetable omelet with sliced tomatoes and toast, and it gave me the perfect amount of fuel to start the day off!

Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Florida

We told Jon that since it was his first visit to Disney World, he had to wear a first timer button. He was a good sport about it.

Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Florida
Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Florida
Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Florida
Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Florida

Yes, that's a giant crane behind Cinderella's castle. Apparently it's famous!

Our first ride that day was the Winnie the Pooh Ride. I rode with my mom and sister, while the boys all shared a honey pot.

Winnie the Pooh ride at Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Florida

They said it was pretty awkward.

I'm not going to recap every ride we went on at Magic Kingdom because there were a lot, but I'll go through some highlights.

Buzz Lightyear:

Buzz Lightyear ride at Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Florida
Buzz Lightyear ride at Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Florida
Buzz Lightyear ride at Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Florida

Carousel of Progress:

Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Florida

^ This is apparently what the future looks like. Aren't you PUMPED? Also, we got stuck in the year 1890, and the animatronic characters looped through their script three different times. It was equal parts hilarious and terrifying.

Oh, and we ran into none other than my favorite person in the world, my cousin Colleen!

Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Florida

(This was planned. She works at Disney).

Other highlights included Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, the Haunted Mansion, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor., and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover!

PeopleMover at Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Florida

For lunch we ate at the Columbia Harbour House, which is a tradition in my family.

Sandwich at Columbia Harbour House in Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Florida

I ordered the lighthouse sandwich with a side of broccoli, and it was quite tasty!

Dole Whips at Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Florida

And we also had another Dole Whip OF COURSE.

Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Florida
Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Florida
Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Florida

So that was was Magic Kingdom Day, aka THE DAY MY LITTLE SISTER GOT ENGAGED!!!

Wait, what's that, you say? Two engagements in one trip?! You would be correct!

So the thing is, all of us knew Danny was planning on proposing to Emily at Disney. I knew for months, and I did not. tell. a. soul. I swear, it's the biggest secret I've ever kept! He had this whole plan that he would propose to her at the end of the day in front of Cinderella's castle, so it was this big, anxious, exciting day leading up to that moment!

(Except for Emily. She was completely clueless, even when I - out of nowhere - started applying makeup to her face 10 minutes before the proposal).

(Also, major props to my mother, who carried the ring around with her and was having minor panic attacks over it all day).

My parents said, "Danny and Emily, take a picture with us in front of the castle, and then we'll take one with Jon and Kim." <~~ (Fun fact, that second part never happened.)

Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Florida

Then Danny was like, "Em, let's take a selfie!"

(and she was like uhh wtf you never want to take selfies.)

Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Florida

(um, please pause for a moment to check out the people in the background).
 
And then he was all, "Okay, on the count of three, say YES!"

And she was all, "wwwhhhhaaaattttt???"

Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Florida
Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Florida

And then I was like, "EXCUSE ME I CANNOT TAKE ANY MORE PICTURES I'M IN A GLASS CASE OF EMOTIONSSSS!!!!!!"

And then Danny's parents casually walked up and were like "Oh hey, you guys are here too?" Because Danny flew them in for the proposal!

Is that not perfect and wonderful and amazing, and did you not just cry your eyes out like I did?

Whew!

After that, we all headed to EPCOT for a lively, joyous, love-filled, lederhosen'ed dinner at the Biergarten!

Biergarten at EPCOT in Disney World, Florida

Then we watched the EPCOT fireworks show Illuminations, cried some more, and had champagne at a bar in our hotel!

The next day was our full day at EPCOT. Prior to Jon and me meeting up with my parents for breakfast, he suggested we have coffee on our pretty hotel balcony.

AND BY THAT HE MEANT COFFEE AND A PROPOSAL.

!!!!!!!!!!!!

Needless to say, I was completely, 100%, totally shocked. And so so SO happy! I knew pretty early on that Jon was it for me, and I'd be the luckiest person alive if I were able to spend my life with him. And now that's all coming true!

The cool thing about Jon's proposal is that my mom, my sister, and Colleen had no idea. So when we went to breakfast on the Boardwalk with my parents, my mom freaked! Also, where we ate was absolutely beautiful.

Boardwalk in Disney World, Florida
Boardwalk in Disney World, Florida
Boardwalk in Disney World, Florida

Before meeting my sister and Danny at the Paris bakery in EPCOT, we got some action shots of me telling Emily.

EPCOT in Disney World, Florida
EPCOT in Disney World, Florida
drinks at the Paris bakery in EPCOT in Disney World, Florida

Then we drank champagne, rode my favorite ride, Soarin', and met up with Colleen. And man, I got her good.

EPCOT in Disney World, Florida

More rides, more laughter, more love, more magic, and more food.

Lunch at the Mexican restaurant in EPCOT in Disney World, Florida

Another Ogonosky family tradition is grabbing lunch and margaritas at EPCOT's La Cantina de San Angel in Mexico. So good!

EPCOT in Disney World, Florida
EPCOT in Disney World, Florida

(If these pictures are getting annoying, feel free to click on that little red box with the "x" on it in the top right hand corner of your screen).

After we ate and drank around the world, we all split up for dinner. Jon, Colleen, and I had a wonderful meal at Le Cellier, located in Canada.

bread at Le Cellier in EPCOT in Disney World, Florida
brie at Le Cellier in EPCOT in Disney World, Florida
tofu at Le Cellier in EPCOT in Disney World, Florida
potatoes at Le Cellier in EPCOT in Disney World, Florida

Once we were seated we were provided with complementary pretzel bread, which was ugh SO GOOD. Colleen and I ordered the baked triple-cream brie to split as an appetizer, and while I liked it, it was almost - I can't even believe I'm saying this - a little too rich for me with the doughy baked shell around it. For my entree I ordered the meyer lemon-scented tofu, which was good, but didn't blow me away. But I also ordered a side of the potato-turnip gratin, and it was INCREDIBLE. Oozy, creamy, rich, cheezy, bubbling, and SO decadent. I couldn't get enough! Colleen and Jon were totally enamored with their dishes of New York Strip and halibut.

Then Jon and I came back to our hotel room to find a super thoughtful gift from our friends Dillon and Melinda!

champagne at Beach Club Villas in Disney World, Florida
Snapchat: newishcityHOU
The next day was our last full day, and we spent the first part of it in Hollywood Studios. Jon and I were able to take a ferry there from our hotel.

Hollywood Studios in Disney World, Florida

This picture is funny because where is Jon even looking, AND check out the other couple taking a selfie behind us. BFFs.

Hollywood Studios in Disney World, Florida
Hollywood Studios in Disney World, Florida

Our first ride of the day was the Rockin' Rollercoaster, which goes so fast it makes you look like this:

Rockin' Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios in Disney World, Florida

We also hit up Toy Story Mania (SO fun!), Muppets 3D, the Great Movie Ride, and the Tower of Terror, where Jon almost knocked a lady out with his backpack that flew up in the air as we plummeted downwards.

The Great Movie Ride at Hollywood Studios in Disney World, Florida
The Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios in Disney World, Florida

For lunch that day, we ate at Backlot Express (another Ogonosky tradition of course), and I had an awesome caprese sandwich.

Sandwich at Backlot Express in Hollywood Studios in Disney World, Florida

After lunch, we all went our separate ways - My parents hung out at their hotel pool, Emily and Danny went back to Magic Kingdom because they're young and alive, and Jon and I did about 30 laps floating in our hotel's lazy river.

We met up that evening for drinks at Trader Sam's, followed by dinner at Kona Cafe in Disney's Polynesian resort.

drink at Trader Sam's in Disney World, Florida

There was a 30 minute wait to get into Trader Sam's, so we enjoyed some fun, tropical drinks on the patio beforehand.

Once we got into the bar, we were quickly able to see why people love this place so much. It's a small, dimly lit tiki bar, where the bartenders do crazy things every time you order a drink. I ordered a zombie drink, and all of a sudden creepy music started playing, lights went up on some shrunken heads, and the bartender slowly limped out towards me, with a fake eyeball popping out of his head. Also, I guess one of them played a joke on Danny because his chair kept getting shorter and shorter, until we finally realized he was up to my mom's elbow and could no longer reach his drink.

Trader Sam's in Disney World, Florida

After drinks, we headed up to Kona Cafe for dinner.

bread at Kona Cafe in Disney World, Florida
soup at Kona Cafe in Disney World, Florida
sushi at Kona Cafe in Disney World, Florida

When we were seated, we were presented with an INCREDIBLE fluffy Hawaiian roll with sweet butter. My mom, sister, and I ordered the Thai chili soup to split as an appetizer, which was spicy and soul-warming. We also ordered some sushi rolls for the table, including a vegetable roll. It took forever for those to come out, and it turns out there was some kind of mix-up in the kitchen. When they did finally arrive, we dug into them and were very pleased!

pan-Asian noodles with tofu at Kona Cafe in Disney World, Florida
chocolate covered strawberries at Kona Cafe in Disney World, Florida

For my main course of food, I ordered the pan-Asian noodles with tofu, and they were AWESOME. This was by far one of my favorite things I ate the whole trip. The yakisoba noodles were wok-seared with vegetables in a velvety ginger-garlic sauce, and they were insanely addicting! After we finished all of our food, they brought out a complimentary dessert of chocolate strawberries and a strange little Mickey head candy to congratulate us on our engagements! It was super delicious.

The next day (aka sad day) was our last day in Disney. Jon and I met up with Colleen for breakfast at the EPCOT Paris bakery before heading to the airport.

Paris in EPCOT, in Disney World, Florida
bakery at Paris in EPCOT, in Disney World, Florida

I ordered an egg and cheese breakfast sandwich on the freshest, butteriest, flakiest croissant you could ever imagine!

Once again, I had another incredible trip at Walt Disney World in Florida. The food was fantastic, the service was great, the sights were gorgeous, the attractions were beyond fun, and there were some obviously exciting events that transpired. I cannot wait to go back!

Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Florida

Like, tomorrow. Can I please go back tomorrow.
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