On our 3rd day at Disney we had to go without the VIP Guide but I managed to figure out the Genie+ system and we had a great day! We started with a breakfast of champions…

I guess everyone was feeling a little blue about it being our last day…

ha! I do love a good color coordination. Ready to take on Epcot!

We made it there in time for our Lightning Lane pass for the new Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster. We had no idea what to expect and it was AMAZING!! Really just about the most fun roller coaster I’ve ever been on!

After that we managed the Genie+ system and did Figment, Soaring, Test Track…

We also found churros for all! Success!

I also managed to snag a spot in the virtual queue to ride Guardians of the Galaxy again that evening. GJ and Spencer once again decided the call of the hotel was too tempting and headed back to get some dinner and relax. Maxwell, Samantha, and I took off to explore the countries in Epcot for 2 hours before it was time to get on the ride.

We got on the ride about 5:45 and it was well worth the wait!! So. Much. Fun!!

We then took our tired selves back to the hotel…

The next morning we had to say goodbye to GJ as we flew back to Birmingham.

I am not sure we will ever be able to top this epic surprise Disney trip!! Huge thanks to GJ for being the very best sport and making it all happen!! We love Disney!!

We started off day 2 with backstage access into the Magic Kingdom thanks to Annie! It was another beautiful day at Disney!

Annie started us out in Adventureland with Jungle Cruise and we made our way around the entire park riding everything we wanted as many times as we wanted. You simply cannot beat that!!

It’s hard work spinning those tea cups!

Vroom! Vroom!

We love Space Mountain!!

We rode everything – Jungle Cruise, Aladdin’s Magic Carpets, Pirates, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder, Haunted Mansion, Small World (a low! GJ’s knee almost didn’t make it off of Small World!!), Peter Pan, Little Mermaid, Seven Dwarfs, BarnStormer, Dumbo, Speedway, Tea Cups, Buzz Lightyear, and, of course, Space Mountain!! By the time it was 4:00 we had made it all the way around the park. Annie scanned us into Space Mountain one last time and then we were on our own. We had a fast pass for Splash Mountain…

and then these two decided they had had enough! A nice meal and the hotel was what they wanted. We waved goodbye..

and then there were 3!!

We rode the Magic Carpets again…

rode Pirates again…

played around in the Pirate shop…

and got some dinner at Pecos Bill’s! It was then time for my choice of the day – riding Big Thunder at night! Can’t beat this view of the castle all lit up while zooming around those tracks!

I do love being in the parks at night.

Maxwell really wanted to ride Astro Orbiter so we made our way all the way across the park, stopping for a quick castle pic…

and got to the ride just at the right time. As we went up the fireworks started going off! Pretty cool!

We then made our way back through the firework traffic to get to the monorail. We even saw who I have to believe is the cousin of this guy (scroll down!)…

I love the people watching at Disney.

It was an epic day full of all things Magic Kingdom! A truly MAGICAL day!!

After our last trip to Disney in 2019, I wasn’t sure we’d ever go back because I didn’t think it could be topped. Well, GJ and I decided we were up for the challenge and I think we might have just done it! We pulled off the most epic Disney trip for the kids and it was the MOST fun! The kids had NO idea we had cooked up these plans for fall break. They were thinking it was going to be a boring weekend at home. Boy were they surprised when I told them at 5:00 that we were leaving for Disney in an hour!! Woohoo! We were originally supposed to leave earlier in the day but then the 6th grade teachers scheduled a trip to Huntsville for that day and they didn’t return until 5pm. We adjusted and made some alternate flight arrangements…

Not bad!! We also picked up Moe’s for them to eat on the plane. These kids are doing life right.

We got to the Grand Floridian that night and were ready to go the next morning (my birthday!) with our awesome VIP guide, Annie! Yep, getting a VIP guide is really the only way I think I’ll ever be able to do Disney again. It is the very, very best treat!

We went straight to the new Star Wars Rise of the Resistance ride and it started off great…

until it got stuck! We were escorted out but that’s ok because it just meant we got to do it again later. We headed over to hit up Rock N Roller Coaster! Samantha wasn’t tall enough to ride it last time and she could not wait to get on it!

The first time scared her to death. I’m talking screaming crying throughout the ride! ha! But, as soon as it was over, she thought she needed to ride it again. That’s my girl! Second time was MUCH better – still plenty of screaming but screams of fun!

We then hit up Tower of Terror where we saw Goofy and Max in line…

Maxwell tolerated Tower of Terror twice even though he really, really doesn’t like it! He’s a good sport!

We then headed over to Toy Story Land and did all the rides there including the awesome Slinky Dog Dash!

and the Alien Saucers.

It was then back to Star Wars for Smuggler’s Run…

and Star Tours…

and our second attempt at Rise of the Resistance which was successful and awesome! We then popped into the Frozen show for a little break…

and then finally got to ride the new Mickey’s Runaway Railway ride which was also really neat!

It was a very full and very fun day!!

I’m not sure who had the most fun…but I’m gonna guess it was the birthday girl!!

We let Annie scan us into Rock N Roller coaster one last time…

and then we had to say goodbye to our awesome VIP guide. We had a dinner reservation and we were all needing to sit down and rest!

After dinner we used our last fast pass for Rise of the Resistance again and then the boys got to pick out a special treat!

I ended my birthday with a Mickey bar and couldn’t have asked for a better way to celebrate 44!!

We love Disney!!

The real reason for our visit to Philadelphia was to visit the Patterson Gallery at the Simone Foundation Automotive Museum. When my parents downsized, we had to find a good home for all of my dad’s Ferrari art and sculptures. Through a connection with a car guy, Enrique, we found the perfect home for the art collection. My mom and brother and I were so pleased to see my dad’s complete collection all together in Philly. The art is such a nice complement to the incredible cars in the museum. It makes for a great experience for museum visitors!

We had a full tour of the museum by Dave who was very knowledgable and informative!

With my dad’s Ferrari engines!

The kids most enjoyed the little cars they could drive around!

We then got to check out the Patterson Gallery!

We were so pleased to see the presentation of all of the art! It’s as if the space was just made for it!

Enrique also made the trip from Miami to see the gallery as well.

What I put on social media: My dad was a Ferrari enthusiast – he loved the blend of art and engineering found in the cars. As such, he was an avid collector of not only the cars, but Ferrari art and memorabilia as well. We are so proud to have his art collection on display in the Patterson Gallery at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum. The museum houses one of the foremost collections of racing sports cars in the world and now also has a pretty impressive art gallery! 🏎 We had such a special weekend seeing the sights of Philly and visiting the museum. If you’re ever in Philadelphia, go visit to see some cool cars and some cool art! I’m so proud of my mom and all of her hard work to create such a lasting legacy of my dad. As always, I’m most proud to be Steve Patterson’s daughter.

Full video of the Patterson Gallery here.

While we greatly miss Daddo, it is such a comfort to know his legacy will live on with The Patterson Gallery at the museum. We are incredibly grateful that Enrique introduced us to the Simeone Foundation. It is such a special place for his paintings and sculptures. If you’re ever in Philly, go visit!