About 8 months ago we told the kids that we were going to start saving for a BIG family vacation. We told them that we didn't know where we were going yet (except we really did know!) and that we would figure that out later. All we knew was that we were going to start saving money. So, the months went by, we saved, the kids would ask about it once in awhile, and we just remained non-nonchalant. All the while we were planning our Big - Massive - Totally - Awesome - Walt Disney World Vacation!!!
We determined that October was the best time to go - less crowds, better deals on a hotel, mom wouldn't be nauseated with pregnancy anymore, yet she would still be pregnant so we wouldn't have to worry about taking a baby and all that entails.
The Big Reveal: 5 days before we were to leave (FHE night) we had a lesson about family togetherness. We talked about all the things that we can do as a family and how important it is to spend quality time together and make great memories. All was normal. Then it was time for the activity. I had made a big poster board sign that said these words: "Mom and Dad have been saving money for a long time and we finally have enough to take a BIG Family Vacation! Do you want to know where we are going? Flip this over for your last clue..." I then cut it into 6 large puzzle pieces and sent them on a scavenger hunt to find them all and put them together. Once they put the puzzle together and read it, they flipped it over and put it together again. On the other side was an exact-ish drawing (I'm not the best artist) of our front room and the place where they each had a present hiding. They ran to open the boxes and opened t-shirts with Mickey Mouse on the them. L was the first to scream out "We're going to Disney Word!!!!" It was priceless. The kids were all dancing around and so excited. I asked them if they wanted to know when we were going. When I said "This Saturday - we'll be gone for 9 days, I already talked to your teachers and you'll be missing a week of school" - I thought the roof was going to blow off! They were ecstatic! They spent the rest of the evening at the computer with Tim who showed them our resort and all of the different parks we were going to.
It just turned out perfectly. We let them know with just enough time for them to get excited without it feeling like it was forever away. We spent the next 4 days getting ready and then we were off!
Day 1: Driving from S.A., TX to Mobile, AL -
All of the days of driving were actually super pleasant! We watched Disney movies sometimes but spent a lot of the time talking and playing games. We have only ever taken family road trips in a Westerly direction so it was awesome for the kids to get to see an entirely different set of scenery. They loved looking for crocodile warning sign, actual crocodiles in the swamps, liscense plates from around the country - we found them all! - and they also loved the ginormously long bridge in Louisiana - the Atchafalaya Swamp Freeway that is 18.6 miles long.
Taking a break from the road with dinner and games at Cracker Barrel
before heading to our hotel for a swim and a rest.
Day 2: Mobile, AL to Kissimee, FL
We were all so excited to see and drive under this sign! You could feel some serious Disney magic - I kid you not!
Checking into our resort - this place was amazing! It was bigger and nicer than any apartment we ever had. Each kid and of course Tim and I had our own room with TV (which the kids thought was fabulous!), and we had a fully stocked kitchen, a dining area, a common room, and a screened in patio. It was so nice to come to such a big space each night where we could separate and relax.
The kids immediately settled in and turned on the TV
Day 3: The Magic Kingdom!
Everyone woke up so excited! We all had a blast all day and it was so magical to be in the place that the kiddos had wanted to come to for so long!
On the ferry headed to the MK
The view of Cinderella's castle from the ferry
At the entrance of the MK
Cinderella's Castle!
The first thing we did was run to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain. We had fast passes for them later but wanted to see if we could get an extra ride in.
Everyone else rode while baby and I mapped out the days events.
In line at the Haunted Mansion. I had always been scared to ride this
but it turned out to be a family favorite!
The Afternoon Magical Fantasy Parade
I ended up watching this by myself. While everyone else rode a roller coaster I went off in search of food - Chicken and Waffles to be exact and they did not disappoint! - On the way back I got stuck and couldn't cross the road so I plopped down to watch the parade.
In line for Mickey's Philharmonic in 3D.
On the People Mover in Tomorrowland
Buzz Lightyear's ride also turned out to be a family fave
Tim and Samuel take their video games very seriously!
Rescue us from Zurg!
More Castle and Haunted Mansion
I totally loved these magic photos and was so glad that Ashley Z. told us about them!
On Space Mountain
Splash Mountain - the boys loved this ride and rode it many times - this was the only time we could convince L to get on as she hates walking around in wet clothes for the rest of the day.
Day 4: Hollywood Studios!
This was a great day despite the fact that once the middle of the afternoon hit we were pummeled with rain for the rest of the day. Not to worry! It's Florida. We expected this and came prepared with ponchos!
The Tower of Terror - my absolute favorite ride ever in all of Disney - and I couldn't ride it this time. Sitting out for this ride was the only time on this trip I felt slightly jealous of the non-pregnant people. That's ok though. Next time we come I will be first in line! Oh, and T and the kids totally loved this ride too!
Watching the Jedi's in training - we tried to get the boys into this but they fill up fast. Next time we know to go to the sign ups first thing instead of waiting 20 minutes!
In the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground
Mmmm....I love oatmeal cream pies!
L next to Scarlett O'Hara's BBQ Picnic dress in Gone with the Wind
L in front of the Wizard of Oz set on the Great Movie Adventure Ride
The kiddos playing in the snow in one of the "Frozen" themed wonderlands
Meeting Some Characters:
Green Army Man from Toy Story
Wreck it Ralph
So, while T and the kids rode on Tower of Terror again I comforted my pregnant self with one of these bad boys. Were they delicious you ask? Oh my. Yes, yes they were. I definitely made sure to get another at the MK on our last day.
Star Tours was another favorite of theirs
G and I hanging out in the stores while T, L, and S rode the Rockin' Roller Coaster -
one of the only rides that G was not tall enough to ride
We love you Phineas and Ferb!
I love Tim's face here on the Tower of Terror!
On the Rockin' Roller Coaster
Battling Darth Vader:
What a great family and a great day!
Day 5: Rest Day
Ok, I don't know about everyone else - though I'm pretty sure they agreed with me - but I for one needed a rest from so much walking around! So on Wednesday, right in the middle of the trip, we took a day of rest. It felt so nice to sleep in!!! After a leisurely breakfast we headed to the amazing pool at our resort.
"Daddy, throw me!" Dad was a trooper and threw all of the kids but G is the only one who he can still get some distance on. The rest are just too tall!
After the pool we got cleaned up and headed to Dowtown Disney for some lunch, shopping, movies, and L's Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique appointment.
S in front of one of the awesome lego creations in front of the Lego store
We all sure love this man. It was so great to have T with us for so long!
Lillie had heard about Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique about a year ago and had been dying to go ever since. Luckily we were able to snag an appointment and it worked out perfectly that it was on our break day and at the Dowtown Disney location!
Her fairy godmother in training was named Diana. We both just loved her. She paid so much attention to Lillie and did all sorts of cute extras to make the trip especially magical for Lillie.
What a gorgeous girl!
Lillie and Diana, her Fairy Godmother in Training
Lillie at her BBB photo shoot:
The Lego Store!
Holy Busy! I don't believe I have ever been in such a busy and/or loud place! It was insane in there. And to top it off, we lost Samuel for awhile. I'm usually pretty calm when this happens but this time I was absolutely certain that he had been kidnapped! I frantically talked to the workers who were manning the doors but there were entrances and exits everywhere! Tim finally found him after a very terrifying 5 minutes! We're glad we didn't lose you buddy!
Day 6: The Animal Kingdom
I had never been here before but I was so glad that we came - this turned out to be one of our favorite days!
Everest the ride - poor Tim let the kids convince him to ride this 4 times in a row due to short lines. Good thing he took his Dramamine beforehand!
One of the awesome monkey exhibits
Playing in the Dino Graveyard - I was so surprised, but this area kept the kiddos occupied for a good hour and a half and we came here twice! It was nice for T and I to be able to rest our feet.
At the Exotic Bird show - after which all three of our kids proclaimed that they wanted to be bird scientists so they could be in the show one day!
A cast member showing off her skills at water painting:
Finally meeting Mickey and Minnie! The lines at other parks were enormously long to meet these two. So when we saw that there was only a 20 minute wait, we jumped at the chance. S and G didn't feel like going to meet characters though so they stayed to play with T and the Dino Graveyard.
Meeting Daisy Duck
In front of the Tree of Life. These pictures are some of my favorites of the entire trip. The tree is absolutely huge! Underneath it is where you can watch A Bug's Life video in 3D.
Meeting Pocahontas
Grant was absolutely enamored by her!
We decided that meeting the characters that were people (as opposed to people in costumes where they couldn't talk) was the best because they spent so much time with you. This only worked out well if you happened towards the front of the line. Otherwise your wait time was enormous!
However, once it was your turn they took the time to talk a lot with each kiddo and make it a truly magical experience!
Day 7: Last Day at Disney - the Magic Kingdom take 2!
We all loved the MK so much so we decided to end our trip with a second day here.
L and mom sneaking some treats while the boys waited in an enormously long line for the 7 Dwarfs Train Ride ...which they still didn't get to ride because it broke down :(... But our treats were yummy!
L attempting to pull the sword out of the stone
L and I went on the "It's A Small World" ride while the boys still waited in line at the 7 Dwarfs. I had never ridden this either and it turned out to be a fun one!
Had to get a pic in front of this as it was a favorite of everyone's
G driving on the Tomorrowland Speedway
L meeting Jasmine and Aladdin
Days 7 & 8: Goodbye Disney World! We had an excellent Time! Driving home from Kissimee, FL to San Antonio, TX
We had such a magical adventure that it could not be marred by anything - not S waking up with the throw ups on the day we started driving back - not the DVD player breaking - and not getting pulled over and getting a speeding ticket on that now infamous big bridge in Louisiana. We said lots of prayers for Samuel (who ended up getting better by the afternoon thankfully), we played lots of games and we now have great inside jokes because we didn't have movies, and we used getting the speeding ticket as an opportunity to teach the kids that bad choices have bad consequences, even for adults - and T and I felt better because since we had come in under budget for this trip at least paying the ticket wasn't going to be a hardship!
L using her left over make up from her BBB trip to doll G and S up. They thought it was hilarious! One of those car trip delirium things that happen when you have no DVD players!
We hit 100,000 miles in our van on this trip!
This was such an excellent vacation! I loved every single minute of being with each of you guys! Our little family is the best!
