Although I’ve been to the Disney World theme park in Orlando, Florida countless times, I had never had the opportunity to check out the West Coast original. That is until my buddy Ingrid text-messaged me an invite to share her fancy Silver pass with me. Of course, I said yes.

My Disney connection runs pretty deep. My grandmother worked as a seamstress for the company for decades and as a result I’ve never paid for entry to the park I’ve visited dozens of times. My mother was a tour guide in the 70s as a teen, sporting a short plaid skirt, vest and riding hat. She tells a story of how she once brandished her accompanying riding crop a little too emphatically and smacked a man in the face.

So on our trip to the other Happiest Place on Earth, the weather was overcast and rain appeared to be a very real threat. However, we stayed dry the entire trip and eventually, the sun even came out. It was perfect—a little on the chilly side, which is exactly how I like it.

Enjoyed the new Pirates of the Caribbean ride, which had Jack Sparrow integrated into a Disney classic. I also had just heard that It’s a Small World recently had to add more water because Americans are getting so big now, that the boats won’t float. Yikes.

All in all, it was a very good day.