Brace yourselves, folks! This is a long one!
The trip had been planned for weeks, though Andrew knew nothing of it. We picked him up from school on Tuesday and he was curious as to why there was a cooler and suitcases in the car. "Where are we going?" he asked. "To the post office," we replied. (Truth...we really did have to go to the post office.) Andrew wasn't satisfied. "Where are we going after that?" was his next question. I think he was a little surprised when we told him, "DISNEY WORLD!"
It took us 6 hours and 22 minutes from Milton to the Orlando (and that was with 2 stops.) When we checked into the hotel, it was dinner time. We ate and then asked Andrew what he wanted to do. His response...."MINI GOLF." So we went and played the summer course at WinterSummerland. It was a little chilly outside!
After golf, we hit the hay, knowing we had a big day ahead of us. Day one for us is always Magic Kingdom. We arrived early, in time to take pictures out front and watch the park opening. (If you've never seen it...it's totally worth getting up a little early for!)
Photo from Main Street with castle in the background.
Andrew's first choice is always Dumbo. We were surprised to find that the original Dumbo is closed and they've rebuilt a NEW Dumbo further to the right in Fantasyland. It's all part of the New Fantasyland that is slowly opening.
Then it was on to Goofy's Barnstormer.
There was no line so we rode it twice!
Tomorrowland Racers
I let Drew have the teacups!
That was all the pictures I took on day one. We left after lunch and went to the hotel to take a nap. Andrew wanted to play the other course at the mini golf place, so that's what we did...more mini-golf. Then we went back to Magic Kingdom until closing time.
Day 2 started at Hollywood studios. Andrew has been on a Star Wars kick lately, so he was chomping at the bit to ride the new Star Tours (which was closed last year.)
He loved it so much. I lost count how many times we rode it. But that's ok, because there are 50 different adventures, so you hardly get the same one twice. Typical Disney....the ride exits through the gift shop. We thought these R2D2 ears were really cute.
Star Tours 3D glasses. (Funky shadows make him look old- or swollen!)
We made reservations at the Sci-Fi Cafe and while Drew was inside, Andrew posed on the car outside.
Toy Story! (quite possibly the longest line we waited in all week)
Andrew has finally started ASKING to take pictures with the characters. (It only took 5 years!) lol So while standing in line to have our picture made with Buzz and Woody, we had a lot of fun with the "poser" spots.
The Claw!
Launched by a rocket!
Stinky Pete
Andrew is the Sheriff! He looks convincing, right?
Toy Andrew catching a ride in a suitcase.
And then 30 minutes later, it was his turn to take pictures with Buzz and Woody!
Outside we saw a couple of green Army Men running around.
Then it was time for lunch. The tables are the cars and it feels like you're really at a drive in...complete with old scary sci-fi movies from back in the day.
Here we are in our silver car.
Again after lunch we went to take a nap and when we got up, we headed to Epcot. We always love Bambi's Butterfly garden.
Last year we saw several butterflies hatching, but this year there were a lot more of them flying around.
The divers had some fun with the rocks at the bottom of the aquarium. Look! Does this count as a hidden Mickey?
We couldn't get over all the animals running around...especially the rabbits. In the grass between the Land and Nemo, we saw seven bunnies running around. And one very brave squirrel. Check this guy out... He looks sneaky doesn't he?
He was! We watched him snatch this cracker from someone's stroller.
He ate it right there with me squatting 2 feet away.
But one wasn't enough. He was a greedy lil monster!
He left some poor folks a nice big hole in the stroller!
Couldn't resist posting the bunny kisses!
At Epcot, we stood in line for pictures with Mickey and Friends! (Again this is a first, so we went with it!)
Daddy had to get in on the Donald photo.
This trip Andrew claims Goofy as his favorite!
Check me and Andrew out in our "future" video from Spaceship Earth."
Giant Peacock for the Flower and Garden festival.
The next morning, we got up and headed over to Animal Kingdom. We always do the Safari first. It seems the animals like it early in the morning best. This giraffe got really close to our car.
We did a few more things in Animal Kingdom and then midday, before nap time, we rode the raft ride. Andrew was the lucky one on our raft to catch the only two "get soaked" spots. He was DRENCHED from head to toe!
And since he was already soaked, we let him play in the "cool off water play" spot.
While browsing the gift shop, Andrew put together this little ensemble. He said "All I'm missing are the Mickey gloves." (Yes, we came home with the whole set up!)
After going back to the hotel to change into some dry clothes (and take a nap) we went back to Hollywood Studios for some more rides and to catch their nighttime show "Fantasmic."
Andrew played FOREVER on the "Honey I Shrunk The Kids" playground. He made a nice friend named Donovan. They played for a long time and were sad to say goodbye.
We headed over to the Great Movie Ride where Andrew found the REAL Luke Skywalker's handprints!
And when we ran in to get on the ride, we ended up sitting right next to Andrew's good friend, Donovan!
Andrew and his light up R2D2 at Fantasmic.
Andrew was very impressed that Mickey killed the dragon with one shot form his sword.
My favorite part is when all the characters come out on the steam boat. We even saw Robin Hood. (Another of Andrew's favorite movies of the moment.)
After Fantasmic, we had just enough time to ride Toy Story one more time!
Since we didn't spend much time at Epcot the day before, that's where we headed the next morning. I wanted to check out some of the Flower and Garden displays. Andrew wanted to take a picture with Pluto.
Check out this centerpiece.
We had dinner reservations at San Angel Inn in "Mexico." I haven't eaten here since 11th grade, but it was just as delicious as I remember it! I had the mole and it was fabuloso! You can't go to Mexico without wearing a sombrero!
Andrew's favorite movie right now....Lady and the Tramp
We were able to catch Chuck Negron (from Three Dog Night) in concert. He's 70 years old and still rockin' it!
On our way out, we swung by some really old Bonsai trees!
Then we went back to Magic Kingdom, since they were open til Midnight. I just love the castle at night!
Of course we had to ride Dumbo! It's very pretty at night with the water and colorful lights.
When Sunday arrived we knew we had to leave, so we were just going to go to Magic Kingdom one more time to ride Andrew's favorites. But we were surprised when he said he wanted to go to Epcot so he could ride Spaceship Earth one more time. So that's where we went...
We found out that he really just wanted to play this game...
After that, THEN we went back to Magic Kingdom to finish up our vacation. Andrew and Daddy on the Buzz Lightyear ride.
Then he suckered me into the tea cups. (Totally made me want to puke!)
And you can't go to Disney without having your picture made in the stocks!
May 2011 April 2012
May 2011 April 2012
It was a GREAT, or should I say, in the spirit of Disney, MAGICAL trip! We had so much fun. Andrew slept the whole way home and all night once we got here around 11 pm. We have our annual passes, so we plan on going back this summer while Drew is working in Tampa! Who wants to go with us? :)
