FFL 2013 - a year later

[Precedently: #FFL12 + #FFL11] 

I'm headed down to Florida for the Friends for Life conference this week but I never made a post about last year's experience. It's been too long for me to be able to recap anything in detail, so here's a mini photo album instead, for posterity and whatnot.

Mickey towels welcomed us to our hotel.

 At Sports Central, L meets Elise. "I have a pump."..."I use a pod!"

 

Fast friends.

Bonni and I chat with Joe Solo for a few minutes before he tells us he's having a low.

Katy asks us if we've noticed a particular trash can on the path from the hotel rooms to the conference center that has been the resting place of a towel for several days in a row. On our way back to our room, we spot it for the first time. It remains there until our last day. Godspeed, little towel, wherever you may have gone.

In line for dinner. FFL is a magical place where carbs are clearly labeled on every meal.

During the dinner / dance, I got to hang out with this little nugget. Delicious.

Outside the banquet, this Disney Cast Member was in the hallway with a broom, cleaning up after party-goers. 

She bowed before the young princesses and asked for their autographs. 

She was magical.

 Jojo, me and Bonni.

Dance party shenanigans with Martin, A-Flizzle and Jackie. 

(Not pictured: Crystal Bowersox boogie-ing down in the background.)

The Undercover Princess was back again the next day with bubbles. BUBBLES, I SAY!

Then there was a torrential downpour and our room seemed like miles away.

Because, obviously.

No caption necessary.

Katy and Joe < 3

Goodbyes are hard. 

We stuffed down our sadness by shopping for cheesy souvenirs...

...and driving two hours to get to the beach right before a thunderstorm.

At Epcot, we bought some Miyazaki merch at the Japan shop and the sweet girl behind the counter gave us these handmade creations.

 They were tiny and awesome.

L met her favorite princess. (LOOK AT HER HANDS AND FEET OMG)

You guys. This is one of my favorite things at Magic Kingdom. 

This lady straight freehanded a silhouette portrait with some scissors and black paper. 

I still have one of me from Disneyland circa 1978.

Click to embiggen and see L's eyelashes and braid wispies. Freaking AMAZING.

 We had a chance encounter with the Ugly Stepsisters, who must have the most fun job ever. They just stood there making stank faces and cranky remarks. Wendy and Peter Pan walked by and instead of wishing them the traditional "Magical Day", they shouted out, "HAVE A MEDIOCRE DAY, WENDY!"

 Everyone thought it was hilarious, including Wendy.

A magical end to our vacation.

So that was 2013. This year our local friends will be attending for their first time.  I'm sure they'll come home with as many great memories as we have. I look forward to seeing some familiar faces and hope to make new friends as well. Catch ya on the flippy floppy.