Millenium Celebration and the 2000 Orange Bowl

These are pictures and descriptions from my trip to the January 1st, 2000 Orange Bowl and the celebration of the Millenium at Disney World.

Leaving Michigan on a COLD and SNOWY day just after xmas, John and I leave Ludington for Indiana to pick up Rob. Along the way we see an SUV do a complete 180 on the icy highway just south of Grand Haven. After picking up Rob we drive straight through Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida to Orlando. Before checking into our hotel we clean up at a rest area then head to Universal Studios

Catch of the day. Rob on the left and John on the losing end of Jaws.

Me and the #24 DuPont Chevrolet.

Rob and John with Gordon's car.

On our way out of Universal Studios

We found some cheap hotel in Kissimmee and then decided to spend a few days at Epcot and the Magic Kingdom.

First stop of the day is at Epcot where we have our pictures taken with Spaceship Earth and the '2000' sign behind us.

Spending some time at Epcot we're magically transported to Italy via the World Showcase.

Rob and John in Italy at the World Showcase in Epcot.

Next we head over to the Magic Kingdom for some fun the rest of the day.

You can't go to the Magic Kingdom without taking note of Cinderella's Castle.

This was one of my favorite rides, Buzz Lightyear's Space Adventure.

Chip and I, or maybe it's Dale, heck if I know.

One of my all-time favorite pictures. Donald and I chilling at the Magic Kingdom.

I'm more partial to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, but Space Mountain is plenty of fun too.

That covers our 2nd day in Florida. Day three was New Year's Eve which we spent largely at Epcot.

Early on New Year's Eve, myself and John at the lagoon outside of Epcot along the Disney Boardwalk.

Shortly after this picture we learned that we couldn't get into any of the parks without staying at a Disney Hotel this particular night. With not much time to spare we get on the phone and can't find anything. Then we hop a bus over to the Transportation and Ticket Center with still no luck. The Polynesian Resort is right next to the Transportation and Ticket Center so we swing by there as a last resort. Fortunately someone has just cancelled so we pick up the only remaining room(still the most one night hotel room I've ever paid for). With our entrance to the park now assured we head back to Epcot for the remainder of the day.

One of the great benefits of staying at one of the expensive resorts is the Monorail running right through the hotel.

Kicking back on the Monorail on the way to Epcot.

More fun at Epcot.

A neat shot of Epcot on the night of New Year's Eve.

Tapestry of Nations parade at Epcot.

I don't know her name, she worked at the France pavillion.

And this lovely lady worked at the Norway pavillion.

Just having a good time.

I may have had a few beverages in my system at this point.

Rob and myself on New Year's Eve.

The girl in the upper right was named Jordan, but the others I don't remember. They were vacationing with one of their aunts.

Me and Jordan swing dancing near the American Pavillion.

Rob swing dancing with one of the girls.

John and myself near the end of the night.

Spectacular night.

Next morning John and I have to go alllllllll the way back to a parking lot near Epcot from our place at the Polynesian Resort to pick up the minivan. We get back and pack up for the 4+ hour drive to Miami and the Orange Bowl.

Pretty much the first I've seen of our room.

We ate breakfast at the Polynesian and left shortly thereafter. This is a shot from the center of the hotel with the aviary in the background.

The real reason we came here..... The 2000 Orange Bowl between the University of Michigan Wolverines and the Alabama Crimson Tide. We checked into a hotel in a shady area of Miami and take the side roads up to where the Orange Bowl is being played at Pro Player stadium. The area we passed through on the way there was even shadier. Dead animals in the street, plenty of folks hanging outside the local liquor store, you get the picture.

Orange Bowl Program cover.

My Orange Bowl Ticket.

The stadium before kickoff(this was after about 4 hours of playing catch out in the tailgating area).

Me inside the stadium at my seat.

My friend Jen and I before kickoff.

John before kickoff.

Rob before kickoff.

Near the end of the game.

Me with my rally cap on, thank God it worked.

THEY MISSED THE KICK!!! Final Score 35-34 MEEEEEEEECHIGAN.

Outside the stadium after the game.

One last shot of the three of us outside the stadium at about 1 AM.

Not alot of spare time the next morning, but we do all have a chance to go to South Beach for the first time.

The Atlantic from South Beach.

Yours truly on South Beach(no it's not a purse, it's a camera bag).

After a quick visit to South Beach we stop at a Denny's where we are clearly in the minority(language-wise) and basically have to point to what we want on the menu to be understood. Now the fun stuff, 24 hours straight of driving to drop Rob off before we hit Ludington and the end of our journey. All in all one of the greatest trips I have EVER undertaken. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

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