Capital One Bowl and EPCOT

Patrick was lucky enough to get an all-expense paid trip to Florida over New Years to work and attend the Capital One Bowl in Orlando.  

He and his co-worker Kevin spent a few days leading up to the game talking with high school bands playing in the Citrus Parade, meeting with alumni and enjoying the bowl game festivities. 

 

They also got to go to the game had a great time, despite the end result. 

 

The band can always be counted on for a great show! 

 

Pretty nice seats, huh?!? 

Too bad the weather didn't look more like Florida :( 

Patrick and Kevin spent New Year's Eve at EPCOT Center. They decided it was the best park for two guys alone on NYE - I think mostly because they knew they could get beer in "Germany" and given it was a late night, there would probably not be a ton of kids there. 

They had a fantastic time and got to enjoy a lot of the parks rides in a short amount of time. 

Here are a couple of highlights:

We always talk about getting "tapped" at Disney. 

Oftentimes you will get handed a free FAST PASS  or maybe they open a new line right as you get to a ride. Little things that make you feel special.  

Patrick was pumped because they got free parking at the park since the ticket machine in their parking ticket booth was out of paper - the lady waved them on through! 

Then they got handed fast passes from a family leaving the park as they arrived and even met a Disney employee from Oregon, WI who knew our friends Jacqui and Chris.

But here is my favorite story: 

A few minutes before midnight the guys decided to cut through a building on their way to Soarin' (figuring the lines would be shorter while everyone else watched the fireworks and rang in the new year) 

As they were walking through, Kevin spotted Goofy - standing all alone - no crowds, nothing!

He suggested they go over (cause how often does that EVER happen!?!) 

Not only did they meet Goofy - but they also met Mickey and Minnie too! 

 

Here is Kevin and Mickey making the Wisconsin "W" 

Pretty cool! 

 

Patrick and Mickey --- he said he might have gotten a little star struck - wasn't sure what to say to him - so he thanked him for letting them enjoy his awesome park! 

 

sweet air kicks with Goofy (cause why not?) 

 

And a kiss for Minnie at midnight! 

I woke up to a text the next morning with a "confession" - patrick said he kissed a girl at midnight and then attached this photo! - too cute! 

But seriously - with our Grandpa living less than 30 minutes from Walt Disney World  - I have been to Disney A LOT!  And in all of our visits - I can honestly say I have NEVER met these 3 big-time characters in their signature outfits, NEVER gotten their undivided attention for this long of a time period and NEVER seen these characters, let alone ANY characters with NO LINE! 

What a cool experience!