About 3 weeks ago, I turned 24. My birthday, Christmas Eve, and National Waffle Day are all tied for my favorite day of the year, but this year's birthday was truly one of my favorites. 

Since we'd just returned from Oahu a few days prior to my actual birthday, and would be leaving for Orlando a few days after, I didn't really do anything on the day. I crocheted a scarf, read a book, got pedicures with my mom, ordered pizza, and at the end of the day, my parents sang happy birthday, and we all indulged in delicious cupcakes made by my dad. I also paid a bill and bought vitamins, so I guess I'm really an adult now. 

The next few days flew by, and before anyone knew it, we were packing for our annual trip to Orlando. My boyfriend, Don, who was coming with us, came over a few hours before we left, and handed me a box. I'd seen this rectangular, white box before, and knew exactly what it was: MagicBands. He told me that we'd be celebrating my birthday with a two night stay at a Disney resort. During our annual family trip, we always stay at our timeshare, but this meant that for two of the eight nights of our trip, Don and I would be staying somewhere in Disney.

If you know me, you know that I'm incredibly Type-A, and am extremely hard to surprise. So he gave me two clues: neither of us had ever stayed at this resort, and we'd never eaten there before. One of these would prove to be a lie, in order to throw me off of the trail.

We started our "surprise day" with Brunch at the Top - Sunday brunch at the Contemporary's California Grill. If you've never done Brunch at the Top, I absolutely recommend it. At $80/adult (before AP discount), it's a little pricey, but it does offer an all you can eat buffet, endless mimosas, live music, and unparalleled views of Magic Kingdom and its surrounding resorts. While I didn't take any ~stunning~ pictures of the food, I will say that I ordered the Lobster Omelette, and Don ordered the Flat Iron steak. Neither dish disappointed, and the self-serve selections were also delicious.

The best part? If you ate at California Grill anytime before Happily Ever After starts (or have a dinner reservation that overlaps with the fireworks), just return to the check-in desk on the second floor before they start and you'll be allowed back up to the restaurant to get prime viewing of the show. While it's a little difficult to see the castle projections, getting a full, and less crowded, view of the fireworks, while the music and narration plays throughout the restaurant and observation decks, is one of the best Disney experiences I've ever had. 

After brunch, I changed into a more...forgiving dress (read: I had a major food baby after such a delicious brunch), and we headed to Magic Kingdom to kill some time before our room was ready. Since we'd been staying off property at our timeshare, we'd left our luggage at the Contemporary prior to brunch, and would return to pick it up once it was time to head to my surprise resort.

At Magic Kingdom, I was able to check one Disney "first" off of my bucket list: getting one of those famous balloons. I was later corrected by my mom, who told me that they got me balloons on my first few Disney trips at age 2 and 3, and then again when I was a little bit older, I just really don't remember much from those trips! 

After grabbing my balloon, we hung out on the Hub Grass for a bit, rode the PeopleMover twice, and then headed to Main Street Bakery for a little coffee, or in my case, a Pink Drink. I honestly didn't mean to wear a pink dress, with a pink balloon, and have a Pink Drink, but it's my favorite color, and it makes me happy!

While in line for our drinks, Don got the text that our room was ready - so as soon as he snapped this picture of me with my accidental all pink everything - we made a beeline back to the Contemporary to pick up our luggage. My suitcase, of course, also happens to be light pink, so I really must have been a sight.  

We were both hot and a little tired, so we decided we'd take the monorail to our next stop, with luggage in tow. We failed to think about how miserable going through security would've been, but we'd rather wait for the monorail in A/C than wait in the heat for a bus. Mind you, I had no idea where we're going, so I just went along with everything Don said. In order to get to the monorails from the Contemporary lobby, you have to get up to the 4th floor, so we took the elevator up.

I stepped off, and turned to get to the monorail security, but Don just lingered near the elevators. I repeatedly told him that the sign was pointing to where I was headed, and he should follow me, but he just stood still. Clearly not catching on, I walked back over to him, and tried to get him to follow, but he just shook his head, said "nope, we're sort of here already,"  walked back over to the elevator, and hit the "up" button. Since we'd eaten at Chef Mickey's two years ago, I figured we couldn't be staying at the Contemporary. I got in the elevator, which had other guests in it, so I didn't really get the chance to ask Don what was going on. He pressed the button for the 11th floor, and still not believing him, I waited for the next trick. 

Except it wasn't a trick. He walked over to a room, told me to press my MagicBand to the lock, and sure enough, the door opened. He later told me that the reveal hadn't gone as planned, as there were other people joined us in the elevators (he was going to block me from getting off at the 4th floor, and send the car up to the 11th), but I was still too shocked to care. Our balcony faced Magic Kingdom, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't cry out of pure excitement and surprise. We had plans to go to Hollywood Studios for the night, but cancelled them all, and explored the resort for a while.

That night, we ate Casey's in the rain, watched Happily Ever After from one of the observation decks at California Grill, went back to our room and watched The Kiss Goodnight (if you don't know what I'm talking about, watch this video from UndercoverTourist.com on Youtube). I fell asleep looking at Cinderella Castle, woke up looking at it, and started the next day with a fluffy Mickey waffle and cartoons.

I'm forever grateful to Don for making this birthday one of my all time favorites. Getting to stay in one of my bucket list resorts, and checking off other "Disney firsts" was the perfect way to ring in my 24th year - especially because I was able to share it all with him. 

All I can say is, I think 24 is going to be a pretty magical year. 

Magically,

Maya