If a Disney fan celebrates his first steps into legal enjoyment of libation around the world at Epcot, and doesn’t blog it, did it really happen?
The answer is we don’t know. So to be safe, here is what we remember from Lake birthday extravaganza at Disney World:
Lake and I started our adventure completely sober at Magic Kingdom, where we enjoyed a magical ride on the carousel with Lady Tremaine and her lovely daughters. Lake was charming as usual, and I tried to not be as painfully awkward as I usually am around characters.
Then as a special present, I agreed to go on Splash Mountain. In my 23 years of enjoying the magic that is Disney, my intense fear of falling face forward down a 52.5 foot drop at 40 mph has swayed me from going within 50 feet of that “attraction”. Maybe in another 23 years I’ll go on it again. ***
*** Disclaimer: This is not a promise, contract, or anything that actually binds me to going on Splash Mountain on your 44th birthday Lake. DON’T get any ideas. ***
Then he bought me a Dole Whip to make up for the last 5 minutes of terror I was just exposed to. 
We wrapped up our morning at MK and headed over to the boardwalk area. Several friends were coming to join us for dinner and Epcot festivities on Saturday, so we got a room at the Boardwalk Inn so everyone could enjoy the party without having to drive ( #responsibleadults)
We checked in, admired the room, and decided to meander over to Epcot for some lunch. We decided on Sunshine Seasons, which I used to love because of an awesome vegan beef stir fry they used to have. Unfortunately, I was disappointed to find they replaced with a less than stellar vegan chik’n curry dish (and I am a curry fan, so I was surprised I still didn’t like it). I’m bitter about it, still.
However, my sadness was soon cured by a visit to La Cava de Tequila in Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion. Pictures is the Pineapple Margarita – quite delicious!
We wandered around a bit more and ended up in the Mitsukoshi Store in the Japan Pavilion (mostly to cool off a bit!) We decided to try a first for both of us – sake. This was a lighter sparkling version, and we both really enjoyed it!
We wrapped up our time at Epcot and headed back to the boardwalk to change and head over to the Polynesian Resort. We had reservations for a late dinner at Ohana, but we were both eager to experience Trader Sam’s! Since we had a large group joining us, we had to wait a bit, probably about 45 minutes before we could get inside. Luckily, they serve the whole drink menu, include this beauty (Mosquito Mojito), on the outdoor patio. Fate was on our side, because right when our buzzer went off signaling our table was ready, the rest of our group showed up!
If you haven’t been to Trader Sam’s yet, get yourself there – stat! In the unofficial survey I conducted at the end of the weekend, Trader Sam’s was the overall majority’s favorite experience of the weekend. Between the seven of us, we tried almost every thing on the drink menu. We really enjoyed seeing all the “magic” that occurs when certain drinks are ordered. The cast members who work there are top-notch, and they really are the ones who brought the whole experience together. 
Afterwards it was on to Ohana, which is one of Lake’s favorite restaurants and was another first experience for me. I have some dietary restrictions which Lake noted on the reservation. The cast members and chef were wonderful in letting me know what was “safe” to eat, and they even provided a special dessert that I could enjoy too.
I also got to witness Lake learning how to hula. Unfortunately all pictures were lost mysteriously.
We headed back to the hotel and chilled with some card games and eventually we all passed out. The next day, Lake and I had to drive back into town early to attend a wedding before heading back to Epcot.
Epcot the next day turned out way more mellow than I expected, which ultimately I was ok with. We rode some rides around future world, and walked World Showcase a few times. I finally got to try the wine walk which I thought was a great deal – $20.00 for a total of 6 pours – 2 each in Germany, France, and Italy. We also made our way to the Rose and Crown Pub in England – another first which I loved! 
Being that I’m 5’3 and not terribly large, I was feeling the merriment at this point. Most of the rest of Saturday night I only remember through the reports of Lake – we watched Illuminations (and I cried) and then we went to MK to watch Wishes and Celebrate the Magic (and I cried.) I then probably spent the next 20 minutes pestering Lake about how much I love him and if he was having a good birthday.
We headed back to the Boardwalk not too much later and passed out. The next day was uneventful – checking out and heading back into town, all that depressing stuff you have to do at the end of an over wise wonderful Disney Weekend.
So, it is all official now – Lake – you are 21. And you did it right. At Disney.
Lake&Kaitie 