Olivander’s Orlando
The past two years has been the longest we have stayed away from Disney and Universal, and so this trip was destined to be special. With Debbie and Bill staying in Orlando, and April and Dan just a short drive away, we got to see family and friends while indulging in our imaginative escapes - Harry Potter World and Hollywood Studios.
In Harry Potter World we got to ride the Hogwarts Castle ride several times, and Debbie got to as well. While she “hated” it, we have the belief that she secretly enjoyed it. I got the pleasure of sitting next to her, knowing her dead silence was her closing her eyes tight when the dementors loomed over us, or when Arogog squirted water at us. I don’t mean to admit that her horror was my humor, but I was proud of her for getting out of her comfort zone. We introduced frozen Butterbeer to them as we waited in line for Olivander’s, and for the wand selection ceremony, Jamie and I were BOTH picked. Olivander himself inquired on how we knew each other, and when I responded we are wives, he described our wands as being made from heartstings of the same dragon, stating that we are forever linked with a love as true as the origin of our wands. It was freaking beautiful.
At Hollywood Studios, we got to see the new Star Wars park, and enjoyed drinking Blue Milk spiked with rum. April and Dan met us here as well, and we got to watch a lot of live performances from Beauty and the Beast to Mickey short films. The next day was a pool day, and Debbit and Bill got to rest from all the activity. April booked a hotel that had a lazy river and pool, and so we sipped pina coladas and drifted along in our intertubes.
Our last full day was in Crystal River, where we swam with Manatees. This is always something we try and do each time we come to Florida, as manatees are the most incredible creatures. We got to drift above them as they ate and slept. Debbie got into the water as well, and kept grabbing onto me, saying: “Oh! Oh! Don’t let me bump into them.” I was so happy to see how much she liked snorkeling, as it was her first time for that as well.
Florida was a wonderful escape for us, and we loved being with our family and friends. Coming out of the Pandemic, every moment is that much sweeter when spent in good company. Forever linked, as Olivader would say.
