I also decided to give myself a "gift". I decided to only take my phone to take photos with. I didn't want to have to worry about lugging my big camera around and worrying about breaking or dropping it. The photos may not be the best photographically speaking, but the fun that I had and the being in the moment was far more important than having the perfect photo. I was able to capture the memories so that we will never forget our trip and that's all that really mattered to me!
Finally, the day came! We loaded up the car and set out towards Orlando with promise of going straight to Disney World!
We arrived at our hotel and found we were staying on the third floor, with no elevator (boo!), but it was perfect! John and Shannon had their own room! There was a kitchen and a washer/dryer! Everyone loved it! Since it was already 5 in the afternoon we thought maybe we wouldn't go to the park that day. The kids wouldn't hear of it! So we loaded up and went to Magic Kingdom!
It was raining so we decided on the monorail instead of the boat.
They thought it was so cool that the train went right through a building!
We went straight to Small World, one of my favorite rides. And to be honest, all I really care about it is watching the kids take it all in. That's really the best thing about Disney! Watching it through my children's eyes.
Then I nearly lost my Disney spirit. We decided to wait in line for the Pooh ride. This line was taking f o r e v e r! Pushy people, kids getting antsy, it was raining and humid, I was even getting cranky. Then right when we would turn the corner and get on the ride a Disney employee cut us off and let, it seemed like, 50 people with fast passes on the ride. I was angry in the moment. So I tried to make "angry eyes" at this Disney employee to express my disapproval. Fortunately Jeff snapped me out of this funk by saying something like "what are ya gonna do? Fight the fast pass people??" So yea, I pulled my big girl pants on, but vowed to never wait in that damn line again! Next time I'll be a fast pass person and let other people glare at me! Two can play at that game! ;)
Fortunately, the Pooh line did have some distractions for the kids to play with!
Oh and a Pooh sighting! :)
Waiting . . .
Still waiting . . .
Finally! The ride!! :)
Then it was time for what turned out to be the kids second favorite ride. The spinning Tea Cups! They LOVED going super fast and getting as dizzy as possible! The looks on their faces is something I'll never forget. Pure joy!
Next up was the ride that turned out to be the kids MOST favorite ride of all! The Goofy roller coaster! Shannon was juuuuuust tall enough. John had been on the summer before and couldn't wait to go again. We just assumed Shannon would enjoy it.
Here we go!
Although you can't tell here, she LOVED it!! She didn't want to get off!
Of course, John had a blast too!
Dumbo was our next ride. So much fun!
We ended that day with the Buzz Lightyear ride. A line we have never once waited on, fast pass all the way!
We were pooped! We tucked the kids in with promises to do it all again the next day!
The next day they were up and ready to go go go!
We started the day with the race cars. John needs a little help with his steering!
Daddy and Shannon! She's there, promise!
Walking to the other side of the park.
A little snack stop.
It was hot while we were there! Like a million degrees, even for us Floridians, it was sticky, sweaty, why-did-we-even-shower hot. The kids just wanted to be held . . . so of course we did!
But Daddy was really the best!
This little girl only wanted her Daddy! Good thing he doesn't mind spoiling her at all.
Next up was the Jungle Cruise. The same one John got soaked on years ago. Even though we know the elephants aren't suppose to get us wet, we still worry every time!
On the way "home" for naps, there was the day parade. You know your kids are done when they could care less that the one and only Mickey Mouse is just a few feet away. Yea, they were hot and tired!
Example #2 (exhausted!)
After naps, we went back for more!!
Pirates ride!!
People mover, another one of my favorites!! Oh and a nice snack stop too!
Back for more Goofy!
Buzz again!
Mommy and John
Daddy and Shannon, she's so little!
I decided that I wanted to find a spot for the night parade. We parked right on Main Street more than an hour ahead of time to get the perfect spot. Jeff brought the kids to buy their light up toy. It's the one big treat that they both really look forward to. They both decided on swords!
A nice Disney employee took this for us!
Then the parade started! Again, I could just look at my kids reaction the whole time. Really, just the best!
It was a super late night but so SO worth it!
The next day we decided to enjoy the hotel's kiddie pool area. It was awesome because it was just us!
We went back to the park for another late night. We skipped the parade but enjoyed a quiet part of the park and rode the Goofy ride at least 5 times in a row. It was the best! And then it got even better. The fireworks that everyone sits on main street for? Yea, they are awesome, but we got to watch them up close and personal! They are set-off right near the Goofy roller-coaster! So we were on our favorite ride in Disney, watching the fireworks go off at the same time! Priceless!!
The fireworks show lasts sooo long that we even got to just hang out and watch them too!
Then we finished the night with Dumbo!
The next day we decided to go to Epcot.
Spaceship earth has a new fun video screen and at the end of the ride they personalize a video for you, using your OWN photos! Wow! Very cool!
Next up was the Living Seas or whatever the new name is. Epcot was practically empty so we ran through the line and got right on. So much fun when that happens!
The kids loved looking at all of the fish!
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