It was a beautiful sunny Sunday morning to take a cab ride to Mass. We went to the Mary, Queen of the Universe which wasn’t too far off the Disney compound. I was surprised that Disney did not have a universal place of worship or specifically a Catholic chapel with all of the people who go through there on any given (Sun)day. In Boston, you can go to Mass in the Mall/Convention Center, but I digress. The boys were exceptionally tired but despite that, they both were very well behaved. Amen!
After Mass, we returned to the hotel to hunker down with homework. We had designated today as our catch-up day so we could enjoy the rest of Orlando and the plane ride home.
We took a break for lunch by the pool and the most amazing thing happened. We were standing by the restaurant looking for a place to sit when I saw someone I thought I recognized running on the boardwalk. I paused and before I could contain myself, I started calling her name. She turned and our eyes locked. Yes, it was Megan, my teaching colleague and Brooklyn neighbor! I haven’t seen her in forever. She was in town on business. We spent about fifteen minutes catching up with rapid fire updates on each other and about the people I used to work with. I kept marveling at our encounter. It must have been meant to be because too many stars had to align to make it possible.
After lunch we finished our homework and headed down for the only pool time we had at the resort. They had a ship on the beach where a water slide originated that then ended in the pool. Between the lazy river, the tubes and even a Disney run pool party, there was plenty to do.
Mason made shadows when he wasn’t splashing in the water.
I sat poolside and knit a hat. The sun warmed my whole body and felt so good on my skin.
Eventually we left to get ready for dinner at Downtown Disney.
We hit the high points—the giant Disney gift shop and the Lego Store.
The Lego store was a zoo! Walker dedicated his time to building a car to race down the track but Mason was more interested in window shopping the kits. Finally (from a parent’s perspective), it was time to head down to House of Blues where we met Bill for dinner.
We had a packed ride back to the hotel but managed to turn in early for our next big adventure tomorrow.
I love that story about seeing someone from Brooklyn. In Iowa we run into people we have known from other times in our lives, but Brooklyn/Indiana/Florida – pretty amazing.
One time my folks ran into Ken’s folks in North Carolina.
If you ever go to Universal there is a Byzintine (sp?) Catholic Church (Eastern Rite) very close and very tiny – neat experience….very different from our Catholic tradition.
Such a fantastic treat for each of you.
Looks like a lovely day! Even with homework to do!!! Love the pics of Mason and Walker talking. It reminds me of when Joey and I would talk when we were younger.
xoxo Kim
At some point (probably back when we first went in 2008) I read that Disney used to have a Sunday morning mass at the Contemporary (I think), but I had read a letter from the diocese saying that they would no longer be able to do that b/c of priest shortage. 🙁
But that is a great Church to visit!
Sounds like a great trip!!!
Finally catching up on your blog. The pool area looks so empty. Was it cool out?