Warning - This is super long and only for those interested in what we basically did every minute in Disney. :) Day 0
E was sick so the airplane rides there were not fun. We eventually made it to Orlando and got on the Magical Express to our resort.
At check-in the kids got balloons and “first time to Disney” buttons. We had planned to squeeze in a park on this day, but didn’t realize how late we would get in. We did a quick 45 minutes at Animal Kingdom to look around and then headed to Downtown Disney to dinner. We ate at Wolfgang Puck’s and headed back home to get some rest before our first full day.
Day 1 – Hollywood Studios
Breakfast at Chef Mickey’s – this was really fun except that E still did not feel well. That part aside, Ben loved meeting the characters and eating Mickey waffles. Our first visit to the Contemporary was also a hit as we got to ride the monorail as one of our legs to Hollywood Studios. We had our picture taken in our tie dyed shirts and were excited to start our first day.
After a monorail, ferry and bus ride we made it to Hollywood Studios. Here is a rundown of what we covered:
Honey I Shrunk the Kids play area – This was a huge hit. Ben did the spider web several times and both kids loved the slides and areas to climb around.
Photos with the Cars – Mater and Lightning!
Met Phineas and Ferb – a huge highlight for Ben
Lunch at Backlot Express – yummy food that everyone enjoyed
Met Winnie the Pooh and played games at the Magic of Animation area
Disney Junior Live show – both kids LOVED this – the only place you can see Jake and the Neverland Pirates
Shopping for goofy doll and Buzz Lightyear gun
Toy Story Midway Mania ride – loved this and rode twice
Ice cream snack and parade
We took lots of pics in our matching shirts! ;)
Went back to the room for quick naps and then headed to the Polynesian for dinner at Ohana’s. Dinner was a huge hit and became known as the meat place with the flower guy. They serve skewers of wonderful meats family style along with a million side dishes and yummy pineapple bread. There is a singer that roams around and encourages different activities and celebrations. He gave out leis and Ben made sure to get enough for the whole table.
After dinner we let Ben swim for a short bit at one of the pools and then off to bed to rest up!
Day 2 - EPCOT
Turtle Talk with Crush and Finding Nemo ride – Turtle Talk was a huge hit!
Circle of Life movie
Living with the Land ride
Lunch in Mexico – yum!!
Gran Fiesta Tour ride with Donald and friends
Mexico passport stamps
Norway passport stamps
China passport stamps
Germany passport stamps
Met Snow White! Both kids were wowed by her beauty. :)
Italy passport stamps and watched dance show
Took a ferry ride back to the other side of Epcot and headed back to nap
Returned to Epcot and started at Spaceship Earth – Ben was so stoked that we got to go in the giant ball and really liked the ride too
Character Spot – We got to see the big five and there was only a 20 minute wait! Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto and Goofy
Dinner at the Coral Reef Restaurant – everyone enjoyed a yummy meal and we loved watching the fish swim by
Day 3 – Magic Kingdom
We started Magic Kingdom at Tomorrowland.
Buzz Lightyear ride x 2
Met Chip and Dale in their space outfits
Met Buzz Lightyear – this was huge for both kids. They are both huge Buzz fans now, especially E.
Astro Orbiter ride
Tomorrowland Speedway – a favorite for both overall
People Mover – a few “scary” tunnels that were too dark
Next we hit Fantasyland.
Mad Tea Party ride
Winnie the Pooh ride
It was nearing lunch so we hit the monorail and headed to The Wave at the Contemporary resort. It was awesome! So yummy and the kids meals were even better than normal.
Back to the Magic Kingdom. . .
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – Ben and Mom were able to sneak away to this one during an opportune short line. Ben LOVED it and officially conquered his first grown up roller coaster.
Parade!
Small World ride
Philharmagic show – the 3D was a bit much for Ben and he did not care for the special effects, but Mom and Dad thought it was pretty fun!
We headed back for a rest and ate dinner at our resort to get changed into our costumes.
Back to the Magic Kingdom for the Halloween party – awesome parade and trick-or-treating! We weren’t able to stay for fireworks because the kids were too anxious, but the parade was really cool and we got a ton of candy.
Day 4 – Animal Kingdom
Kilimanjaro Safari
Rafiki’s Planet Watch – train ride, petting zoo and lots of trails, also met Jiminy Cricket
Pizzafari for lunch – so so meal, but let us refuel and rest a bit
Flights of Wonder bird show – a total surprise, but both kids loved this and wanted to go back and see it a second time
Triceratop Spin
Boneyard playground
Dinosaur – Dad and Ben were able to sneak off and enjoy this scary ride
Finding Nemo musical – everyone enjoyed this colorful show
Jungle Parade
Quick bath and rest time
Off to Downtown Disney for dinner at Planet Hollywood – not our favorite for sure
Lego Store
Disney Store
Day 5 – Magic Kingdom
Met Daisy and also took pictures by the fall pumpkin display
Peter Pan’s Flight ride
Dumbo ride – Ben became very impressed by Dumbo at this point since he was the only flying elephant. He also just loves those flying in a circle kind of rides.
Prince Charming’s Carousel
Jungle Cruise
Aladdin’s Carpet Ride
Fast Pass to the Princesses! – both kids loved meeting them. Ben claimed that they were for little girls, but when we got up there he turned to mush and was in love with all of them. The princesses really took their time with the kids and we had a great experience.
Stopped for lunch at the Liberty Tree Tavern and had some really great meals
Watched the Dreams Come True show
Took a rest break
Found Woody and Jessie for photos – both kids loved them as well
Magic Kingdom train
Teacups again for E and Buzz Lightyear ride again for Ben
Shopping and more show watching – dreams really do come true here many times a day!
Dinner at the Crystal Palace with Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger and Piglet. Piglet was a favorite of E’s, but she also loves her some Winnie the Pooh. Ben got to be in a parade behind Eeyore and loved meeting wild Tigger too. It was a really fun dinner.
Day 6 – EPCOT
Test Track – Ben and Mom got on this ride with essentially no wait. Seemed all wonderful until getting stuck part way through. Had to wait for the cast members to come get us and escort us out. We walked the whole track and used the emergency exit stairs. They gave us a Fast Pass to come back later in the day. Wasn’t sure if Ben would be up for this or not, but he totally was!
Ellen’s Energy Adventure – too long and scary for the kids, oops!
Journey into Imagination with Figment – both kids loved this and shopped in the store afterwards, a definite success!
Canada passport stamps
United Kingdom passport stamps
France passport stamps
Morocco passport stamps
Delicious lunch in Morocco!
Japan passport stamps
USA passport stamps – all 11 countries complete!
Test Track (round 2) – Ben and Dad were able to complete the ride this time and Ben loved it. He lists it as his second favorite overall.
Back to rest and play at the resort a bit
Mom and Ben went for a chilly swim at “The Dig Site” bigger pool at our resort
We hit the bus and monorail to head to the Grand Floridian for dinner
We ate at 1900 Fair Park and had dinner with Cinderella, Lady Tremaine and her stepsisters – way cool! The kids both loved this and were so excited to see Cinderella again. The food was so yummy with lots of diverse choices on the buffet.
Last Day – Travel home
An easy trip home. The kids did awesome and E thought the view from the plane was just “so silly”. She loved seeing the tiny houses and squealed with delight. Ben enjoyed some in flight movies and video games.
Top Highlights (it is really hard when it was all so magical, but these were our very favorites) – meeting characters, Tomorrowland Speedway, Test Track, Mad Tea Party, Peter Pan’s Flight, getting passport stamps and eating awesome food at the countries, Big Thunder Mountain, Toy Story Midway Mania, Safari, and so much more!
If you made it to the bottom of this painfully long post, we posted way too many pictures on Snapfish if you are interested.
http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=4535070017/a=7424542_7424542/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/
We had a fun Halloween weekend! Ben started off with a carnival on Friday at school where he got to play games, get a few treats and enjoy some time with friends. On Saturday we got to go to Halloweeta. Halloweeta is a fun family event at Grandma and Grandpa’s in Coweta. Ben had prepared for it earlier in the week by hanging spider webs and making the place a little spooky. The grownups carved pumpkins while the kids went on a nature walk. There was lots of food and fun to be had. The kids had lots of craft projects that they enjoyed and they even got to decorate some Halloween cookies. The evening was finished with a costume parade and picture session. So much fun!
