At Cinderella's Castle There are just some trips that will forever stand out as extra special, no matter how many years go by or how much traveling is done.
For me, that memorable trip was to Disney World in 1999 with my daughter Rebecca when she was 8 years old. It was a "Mommy & Bec" trip!!
At the time, my husband Tedd had a winter break trip planned with his older daughter, Jessica to go skiing out West to celebrate her thirteenth birthday.
Considering that it would just be me and Rebecca alone that week, I thought, why not take a fun trip down to Disney World together!
For me, that memorable trip was to Disney World in 1999 with my daughter Rebecca when she was 8 years old. It was a "Mommy & Bec" trip!!
At the time, my husband Tedd had a winter break trip planned with his older daughter, Jessica to go skiing out West to celebrate her thirteenth birthday.
Considering that it would just be me and Rebecca alone that week, I thought, why not take a fun trip down to Disney World together!
And that is precisely what we did!!
With the help of my ever-loyal, knowledgeable, travel agent, Stephen, we put together an awesome Disney adventure!
With the help of my ever-loyal, knowledgeable, travel agent, Stephen, we put together an awesome Disney adventure!
 At Crystal Palace with Eeyore |  |  |
Considering this was sixteen years ago, I was not the Disney aficionado I am today. I had only been to the Magical World of Disney about three times, so, this visit with Rebecca, was the first time for me going with a child -- since I was a kid myself back in 1975, during my first-ever time.
It's also important to realize that the internet in 1999 was not what it is today. So, much of our planning was as a result of travel brochures, guide books and the sage advice of dear Stephen.
I will say, much to mine and Rebecca's credit, we also got busy studying the park maps and plotting out our little daily outings, once we arrived.
It's also important to realize that the internet in 1999 was not what it is today. So, much of our planning was as a result of travel brochures, guide books and the sage advice of dear Stephen.
I will say, much to mine and Rebecca's credit, we also got busy studying the park maps and plotting out our little daily outings, once we arrived.
Our Travel documents arrived from Stephen in an envelope with a picture of Snow White with a dialog bubble saying "Elisa & Rebecca...C'mon on down!" This set the tone for excitement!
We stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort, one of Disney World's moderately priced resorts. There was no question that we were staying within the park. I had previously been to Disney World before and stayed both in and outside the park, and traveling with a young child, I opted for accommodations on-site.
We took advantage of the Disney transportation system within the park, and at the time, prior to Disney having the "Magical Express" which now-a-days, shuttles Disney guests to and from the airport, we were hooked up with transfers from a third-party company. It was smooth sailing all around!
The lodging was nice - it was not high end, but, for the amount of time we spent in our room, it was perfect. What I did like about the Caribbean Beach Resort was that there was a sandy "beach", which was a great way to spend down time.
We stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort, one of Disney World's moderately priced resorts. There was no question that we were staying within the park. I had previously been to Disney World before and stayed both in and outside the park, and traveling with a young child, I opted for accommodations on-site.
We took advantage of the Disney transportation system within the park, and at the time, prior to Disney having the "Magical Express" which now-a-days, shuttles Disney guests to and from the airport, we were hooked up with transfers from a third-party company. It was smooth sailing all around!
The lodging was nice - it was not high end, but, for the amount of time we spent in our room, it was perfect. What I did like about the Caribbean Beach Resort was that there was a sandy "beach", which was a great way to spend down time.
 Rebecca getting Ariel's autograph |  Getting splashed in Ariel's Grotto |  Rebecca with her favorite princess |
The famous Chocolate Cake at Tony's Restaurant in The Magic Kingdom We concentrated our time in Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disney's MGM Studios (now called, Disney's Hollywood Studios). Animal Kingdom was brand new and we decided since our trip was only five days, we would forego this theme park.
Our agenda was fairly loose. Rebecca was an eight year old beyond her years and one of the best travel buddies I have ever known!!
She was up early, rearin' to go; up for any and all rides and attractions, but she's the one who suggested that we go back and relax at the hotel to recharge before heading back to the parks for dinner, more rides and our nightly ritual of tea. Can you imagine a kid making such an adult suggestion?
There are a few silly events that stand out in my mind from our week together.
Our agenda was fairly loose. Rebecca was an eight year old beyond her years and one of the best travel buddies I have ever known!!
She was up early, rearin' to go; up for any and all rides and attractions, but she's the one who suggested that we go back and relax at the hotel to recharge before heading back to the parks for dinner, more rides and our nightly ritual of tea. Can you imagine a kid making such an adult suggestion?
There are a few silly events that stand out in my mind from our week together.
One thing I did arrange in advance was our daily Character meals at the various restaurants throughout the park. The Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom featured Pooh and the gang, was our favorite. It features a wonderful adult AND kids' buffet with fun food like mac 'n cheese, Mickey Waffles and a dessert bar!
We also loved it because my favorite DISNEY character has always been Eeyore, so it’s no wonder we took tons of pictures with this little sad sack.
We also loved it because my favorite DISNEY character has always been Eeyore, so it’s no wonder we took tons of pictures with this little sad sack.
 Hollywood & Vine in Disney's MGM Studios for breakfast |  Cinderella's Royal Table with Peter Pan |  |
There were two specific instances that stand out from this trip.
The first was our jaunt to Ariel’s Grotto. Ariel was always Rebecca’s favorite character and Disney princess, so this was one of her favorite attractions. She had a blast in the grotto and meeting Ariel up close and personal!
The second situation arose when I, as a bad mommy and allowed Rebecca to overdo it on the chocolate! God bless my daughter, she loved her chocolate as a little girl and it seemed everywhere we went, there was some for the taking.
The first was our jaunt to Ariel’s Grotto. Ariel was always Rebecca’s favorite character and Disney princess, so this was one of her favorite attractions. She had a blast in the grotto and meeting Ariel up close and personal!
The second situation arose when I, as a bad mommy and allowed Rebecca to overdo it on the chocolate! God bless my daughter, she loved her chocolate as a little girl and it seemed everywhere we went, there was some for the taking.
 At Epcot |  One of our favorite meals was at the Brown Derby in Disney's MGM Studios (now, Hollywood Studios) |
At breakfast, lunch and dinner, she ordered chocolate milk (with my approval, of course), then I would treat her to a little chocolate ice cream as we were walking around in the hot sun. Finally, at night, when we returned to the room, there were little chocolates left on the bed - both of which, she would gobble up.
Well, after three days of the chocolate fest, and a wonderful lunch at Tony’s Restaurant in Magic Kingdom, that included a HUGE piece of chocolate cake, I was looking at Rebecca while we were on one of the ride lines. With the sun shining brightly, I had to look a little closer because it appeared as if her face was breaking out in red blotches.
Well, after three days of the chocolate fest, and a wonderful lunch at Tony’s Restaurant in Magic Kingdom, that included a HUGE piece of chocolate cake, I was looking at Rebecca while we were on one of the ride lines. With the sun shining brightly, I had to look a little closer because it appeared as if her face was breaking out in red blotches.
 Mexico Pavillion, Epcot |  at Caribbean Beach Resort |
Snoozin' away with Piglet after a busy day at the Parks Sure enough, all the chocolate had caught up on my delicate little Becky’s system. At first, I got nervous and called my husband, who was skiing (and freezing, mind you, while we were enjoying basking in the warm sun) and delicately told him about Rebecca’s skin outbreak. I thought he was going to be very mad at me, but he only laughed.
We both decided that laying off the chocolate was the best plan. After a few days chocolate-free and lots of water, my little girl was back to normal!
This was clearly the trip of a lifetime for bonding and building memories with my Rebecca!!
-Elisa
We both decided that laying off the chocolate was the best plan. After a few days chocolate-free and lots of water, my little girl was back to normal!
This was clearly the trip of a lifetime for bonding and building memories with my Rebecca!!
-Elisa