Days 6 and 7- Orlando, FL

One thing to keep in mind when taking a road trip to Orlando with a self-proclaimed Disney whore: plan to spend a lot of time in the land where dreams come true. Thanks to Ben, we were able to do it for two days for free.

We packed in as much as possible in a day and a half (we hung out with our gracious Orlando hostess Renata on Thursday evening). On the first day we spent all of our time at two parks—doing more drinking than riding—but on the second day we were able to hit rides in all four parks in just a half of a day.

During our first day at Disney, after a stop at the Magic Kingdom to ride the Pirates of the Caribbean, we headed to Epcot to drink around the world. I’ve wanted to do this since even before I turned 21 and every time I tried something got in the way. But this time, Ally and I attempted the challenge. We started in Mexico, at the suggestion of my friend Meg (who did this last summer) and said they offered the best margarita she’s ever had. It was indeed delicious.

From there we drank clockwise around the world, er…the park, drinking a combo of wine and beer at each stop. After splitting the worst chicken teriyaki I’ve ever had at Japan (I’ve had Healthy Choice meals that tasted better than that), we were plenty starving and ready for some ethnic food to go along with our exotic drinks. Right around Morocco (after Italy where the woman poured our wine, charged us and THEN asked for our IDs), we started to feel the effects and skipped the Middle East country and went straight to France. Ally said France had the best ham and cheese croissants ever and I wouldn’t be disappointed. She was right. In an effort to keep myself from eating two of them, I got a giant chocolate chip cookie to wash it down.

After nine countries, I had had enough. Ally stuck it out for one more—England—and we passed over Canada. Nine out of 11 isn’t so bad. Drinking around the world seems a lot easier than it is. It’s also a lot more expensive than you might think—between overpriced drinks and food, it is not something a poor college graduate should be doing, but I didn’t care so much in the moment (especially seeing I didn’t pay to get in the park). It was all part of the experience and one I figured I should make the most of seeing I don’t know when I’ll be back.

As always, I was able to learn a few things. First, it’s a good idea to drink with someone not only because it’s more fun but it also helps defray the costs when splitting things (food or a drink—which I highly recommend because you can have more of both). I also don’t recommend riding the ride inside the Epcot ball after completing this feat. Unless you’re looking to take a quick nap, then go for it.