For the past week and a half, I’ve been on vacation at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. It was an interesting trip that included all four Walt Disney World theme parks and Universal Studios/Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley. I traveled with my uncle, his wife, their three kids and my grandfather. As far as dolls go, I didn’t see much to share here on the blog. However, I did find something very cool while I was walking around Epcot– Kurhn, China’s answer to Mattel’s Barbie doll! I’ve reviewed a few Kurhn’s on my blog, but had to order them online from eBay or China Sprout. (They can also be purchased from the Tiny Frock Shop.) It was so exciting seeing them in person sitting on a shelf, just waiting for someone to buy them! (That someone? Me!)
At Epcot, make sure to visit House of Good Fortune in the China pavilion. There, you’ll find a handful of adorable Kurhns. Ironically, they didn’t have any of the Disney collaborations on display. (Licensing issues, I wonder, though I think people have found them there before.) Much of what was there to purchase were the more traditional dolls, like the four seasons and other more regal dolls dressed in traditional styles as opposed to street clothes. At House of Good Fortune, I picked up three dolls: a basic DIY Kurhn, a four seasons Kurhn for my mother and Sweet Girl, a more contemporary Kurhn that’s been on my watch list forever.
Honestly, the prices made no sense to me. The cheapest Kurhn was the basic DIY one priced at $28.00. The Four Seasons dolls were at $32.00. The anniversary doll, in the short hair and white/blue outfit, was closer to $40.00 and my Sweet Girl was in the $50.00 range. You’ll want to take out your smart phone when you’re at House of Good Fortune to do a bit of price checking. I overpaid on Sweet Girl, who I could have gotten cheaper on eBay. The other dolls, however, were pretty much on par with eBay or were just a little more expensive. Strangely enough, three of the ones for sale at Epcot were one’s I already owned– the anniversary doll, peach bride and a Four Season doll. That saved me quite a bit of money!
You’ll be seeing these in more detail later here on the blog and channel! Here’s a few more tidbits from my vacation. If you get a chance to go to Orlando, try to check out the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We only went to Universal Studios (not Island of Adventure), so we could only see Diagon Alley, not Hogsmeade. However, Diagon Alley was amazing. It’s narrow, small and has only one ride, but it was so cool being able to walk through a screen accurate Diagon Alley!
Being a huge Harry Potter fan, I loved being able to walk through Ollivanders, Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes and Quality Quidditch Supplies. I bought the best Quidditch Hoodie at Quality Quidditch Supplies and almost bought a Quidditch robe. (I totally should have!) I missed a few of the shops, like the Magical Menagerie, because the family members I went with were being pains in the neck and had pretty much checked out, but it was so much fun walking around the shops!
I very nearly bought myself wizarding robes at Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions. (I totally regret not buying one now, but with everyone in my group being miserable outside, I just couldn’t concentrate on what I really wanted.) Another huge highlight was enjoying a frozen Butterbeer from The Leaky Cauldron. So tasty! Wish I could grab another without having to travel to Florida! Below is a picture of me, my tasty Butterbeer and the Night Bus!
Seriously, guys, if you go to Universal, try to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It’s just very, very cool. I hope to check out the Wizarding World located at Islands of Adventure one day! And next time, I’ll make sure to bring my wand! (Neville Longbottom’s wand, courtesy of two of my friends from their last trip to Universal!) Over the next few days, I’ll post more pictures from my trip over on Flickr, so keep an eye on that to see more photos from the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot and Universal!
On a sadder note, during the trip my family was dealt a very sorrowful blow when my great uncle lost his battle with cancer. The saving grace was that my great uncle, a cast member of ten years at the Magic Kingdom, lived in Orlando and a few days prior to his passing, I was able to spend some time with him. While he didn’t really interact with us, I know he knew we were there for him, as his eyes would clearly flicker up and down as we spoke. Even after his long and fierce battle with cancer, he never lost himself. Below is an excerpt from a post I wrote about him on Facebook.
This past week, I’ve been experiencing the wonderful world of Walt Disney in Orlando, Florida. However, the memory I will take away from this trip isn’t being whisked away to see Mickey and Minnie by a kind cast member or being able to walk around Diagon Alley. Instead, the memory made this trip that is most precious to me is that I got to see my great Uncle Russ for one last time before he passed away. He was a guy that really took life into his own hands and wasn’t afraid to take a sudden turn left or right in his life story. He literally packed up his bags one day and moved clear across the states to work in the most wonderful place on earth, Walt Disney World, and enjoyed every moment of it. Not many people would be able to do that at ANY age, let alone when Uncle Russ did ten years ago. So, Uncle Russ, enjoy the italian food, chatting with Sinatra and hanging out with Walt up there in Heaven.
There’s a lot one can take away from his life, but what it has taught me is that you should never be afraid to take a giant leap. It may lead to wonderful things. (Now, if I could only figure out how to insert that into my current life story!)
I’m currently playing catch up with a lot of reviews, so I hope to get them posted ASAP. Be sure to check out the Disney Princess Box opening I posted last night on YouTube! It features some really neat Ariel Stuff that you’ll see here soon! Until then, what have you picked up lately? Have you gone on vacation? Where? Let me know in the comment area!
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