Family Vacation

We just returned from a week long vacation to Walt Disney World.  We went with some good friends and their daughters and had an awesome time.  I took lots of pictures, so grab a cup of coffee and put up your feet- this is the LONGEST POST EVER! : )

Dinner at Pappadeaux's night before we fly out.  We stayed at the Embassy Suites next to the airport and the boys thought it was the coolest place they have ever seen.  Guess we should have just stayed there.

First time on airplane!

Reagan's first time to fly too!  They both did great - drama free until we landed the second leg of the flight .  Ryan cried because his ears hurt then fell alseep in John's lap.

Stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.  It was incredible.  African decor and art.  Giraffes, zebra, ostrich, etc., right outside our balcony.  They had a great pool with a rock slide and showed poolside movies on a giant inflatable screen at night.

Waiting on the bus to take us to Magic Kingdom the first morning.

At the entrance to Magic Kingdom.  We timed it well - all the characters rode in on the train just as we were walking in the gate.  

Main Street.  Crowded!!

Had to take a pic in this contraption - my brother and I had our pics made in the same place when we were kids.  My skinny brother just looked like arms and legs and a head.  Poor Ryan wasn't tall enough to see over the top.

The Haunted Mansion.  Ryan had talked a big game, but as soon as he heard the creepy music at the entrance he folded and out right refused to go any further.  He and John went and found something else to do.

As a kid I was fascinated with the rides, characters, etc.  As an adult, I was fascinated with the  beautiful landscaping  and how amazingly clean everything was!

Ryan and Maile waiting to ride the Tomorrowland Speedway.  One of Ryan's favorite rides.

My crazy driver.

The teacups.  John and I sat this one out.  Fortunately Blake and Melissa were happy to ride with the kiddies.

The before picture.  Ryan was all smiles until it started to spin.  He put his hand over his mouth and closed his eyes.  Fortunately he didn't puke.  He saved that for the next day when he didn't like his cookie and puked in the stroller.  Sweet!

The big kids went and rode Space Mountain, but Ryan was too short.  So, we rode the people mover over, and over and over.  It was nice and cool and no line, so I was happy to oblige.

Nearing late afternoon of Day 1.  Waiting for Stitch ride.  

This is how we were all feeling.

Rain cooled things off and we had dinner.  Rally time.

We staked out our spot on Main Street for the Electric Light Parade.  Melissa and I parked our stroller and bodies  across the sidewalk for an hour to save our spot.  Brutal!

Nighttime at the parks was beautiful.  Cinderella's castle would change colors.  

Still waiting...

And waiting.

The street vendors start rolling out the light up/glow-in-the-dark merch as soon as the sun starts to set.

And just moments before the parade is scheduled to begin, it starts to rain.  But after momma sat saving a sidewalk for an hour and a half, we weren't moving!

After a slight delay, the parade began.  Worth it!  

Next morning, breakfast at the Contemporary Resort's Chef Mickey.  Definitely a highlight.  It is a buffet and the five main characters make the rounds to each table for pics and autographs.  

Periodically this music would start and everyone was supposed to swing their napkins and dance.  Not my style, but the kids loved it.

On to Epcot.  

Ryan had been talking about this attraction since the moment we arrived.  (Actually long before that. For those of you who don't know, Ryan is OBSESSED with all things Michael Jackson.  Yeah.  I know.)  That morning when he woke up, he asked, "Is today finally tomorrow??"  So - while the others headed to check out Mexico, Ryan and I went and saw Captain EO.  It is was actually pretty cool and we left the theater singing and dancing.  

Norway!!

Then we had some excitement.  Reagan was stung on his finger by a bee.  He had  never been stung before and with all his allergies, we didn't know if he was also allergic to bees. ( Fortunately he did not have a reaction.)  The Epcot staff was amazing - he hollered, we gathered around, and moments later their staff was on top of it and paramedics showed up.  They were so nice and brought him a stuffed Donald.  They also got us to the front of the line of the ride we were heading to!  Thanks Reagan!  Thanks Epcot!

Our hero!

At the Seas, they had an amazing aquarium with a coral reef, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, etc.   

By afternoon, everyone else decided to head back to the hotel, but Reagan and I wanted to stay.  We had an awesome time and me and my mini me stayed until 11:30!  Woo!!!

O Canada!

A little rain doesn't bother us.

France

One of Reagan's favorites - miniature train in Germany.  We got pretzels for dinner and watched the trains go around MANY times.

This place was awesome after dark.  Great laser light/fireworks show then everything, including the sidewalk lights up.  The park cleared out and we ran around and rode rides with no lines, bought stuffed animals and candy by the pound.  

Third day - Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.  This was the Rock N Roller Coaster.  Again, Ryan too short to ride, so he and I went and hung out in air conditioned shops.  

Debbie Downer

The Tower of Terror.  This thing drops you over and over various heights including 170 feet.  John did not want anything to do with it and was convinced it would kill Ryan.  So Melissa and I took our eldest children.  After we got off, Ryan cried because he didn't get to ride.  So, the rest of the gang went to the next park and I stayed behind with Ryan to ride.  I was shocked he made it through the scary hotel lobby, dark room/movie portion.  We loaded him on and he rode while I tried to hold on to him yet not squeeze off his tiny little legs in my death grip.  When it stopped it was dark and quiet and his little voice said, "There's no more?"  He did it - but said he does not want to do it again!  : )

Getting some super hero face paint.

Most of this red paint ended up on my shirt and legs.

Nice hat, John.

On the third day we finally relented and bought these mist fans they sold all over the parks.  

Made it to Animal Kingdom in time to catch a parade.  Even though is was crazy hot outside, these people were so chipper and seemingly happy to be dancing in the streets.

These dancers were on stilts. 

They had several of these large animal puppets.   They were very impressive.

Day Four - back to Magic Kingdom.  Cinderella's ugly stepsisters and stepmother got in line to ride the carousel while we were riding.  Not only were they in full costume, they were in full character - acting like brats and pushing people in line to get in the front.  I think it freaked out my boys!

Stepmommy

The people at Disney just keep getting smarter.  Many of the newer rides had play areas for the kids while you waited.  At the Dumbo ride, there was an indoor play area with benches.  They would give you a pager that would go off when it was your turn to ride.  Genius.

Jungle Cruise

These tiki statues would squirt water.  My boys were all over that.

In the Pirates of the Caribbean gift shops.  Ryan wasn't impressed with that ride either.  Or any ride that went through the dark for that matter.  Which was about 75% of the rides.

Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse.  One of Ryan's favorites - no darkness!

Hotel lobby

Many beautiful pieces of African art and artifacts.

Time to head home.  The buses and transportation have vastly improved since my childhood.  The monitors are linked to GPS that turns on movies based on your locations.  It showed the Disney characters leaving their hotel and headed to the Orlando International airport then several advertisements on other Disney travel.  Genius.

Bye vacation.

Airport fun.

Bye Florida!