Disney World - A Magical Place!

I know some people thought I was crazy taking my kids to Disney World in August by myself, and I even wondered what I was thinking at times, but I am so glad I did! We had a wonderful time. It was exhausting..... VERY exhausting, but it was so much fun.

So, here's the story of our trip....

Starting out, I had everything ready to go on Wednesday night before we were supposed to leave. Clothes laid out we were wearing, suitcases by the door, etc. We got the kids up, dressed them, and put them in the pickup, and I could NOT find my flip flops! Looked for 15 minutes, and never found them. Heath thought I might've packed them, so I went with it and just thought I'd find them when we got there. I asked Luke when we got on the plane (we were the last ones on, by the way) where they were, and his face lit up when he said, "in that drawer!" I didn't really know what he meant, and I was just hoping I would find them.  Never did! Ugh. Until we got home.... Luke showed me how one was in the junk drawer, and one was in the next drawer over. Anyway.......

So, the flight was okay. Landry wouldn't nap and had a melt down or two, but Luke loved it. We made it to Orlando, took the bus to our resort at Disney, met up with Traci and her family, and headed to Mickey's Backyard BBQ. We road on a ferry over to where the pavilion was set up with picnic tables and had a live band. We ate and danced with the characters (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, cowboys, etc.) until it started POURING down rain. Luke, Kale, and Kade ran around dancing in the rain until they were soaked! It was fun.

Oh, and I found out quick that girls just need more stuff! Ha! This is what it looks like for Heath and I to pack suitcases, too! :)

The next day, we got up and went to Animal Kingdom. It was awesome!! We had breakfast there and ate with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy. We went on a safari ride and saw some animals from about 10 yards away. All the animals were close, but some were like RIGHT there! We saw giraffes, wart hogs, lions, monkeys, zebras, hippos, elephants, etc. And best of all, we were able to get on every ride while we were there without standing in a single line. This was truly a privilege and the key to the experience we had with my kids being so young. At Animal Kingdom, we also went into their animal hospital where we could watch the animals being cared for through big windows, and we went to the Lion King show, too! I loved it, and so did the kids! It was just the right length and was peppy enough to keep the kids' interest the whole time we were in there. That night, we went and ate at a restaurant at Magic Kingdom, and the rest of the crew either did the light parade or the pirate voyage, but the kids and I went on back to our room. I want to do those things next time we go! My kids were pooped by the end of the day though.

On Saturday, we went to Hollywood Studios. This place was a dream for Luke. It was so cool. We started out with breakfast that morning with Handy Manny, Jake (from Jake and the Neverland Pirates), and Special Agent Oso. Then, Luke got to see "the REAL Lightning Queen and Mater"! He was starstruck! He loved it. We went from there to meet Phineas and Ferb, and then on to Toy Story Mania. This ride was way fun, and we skipped 110 minute wait to get on it. Awesome. So, we ate lunch that day at a drive-in type place that played old Disney shows on a big screen, and we sat in classic car-like booths. Really neat atmosphere, but wasn't for Landry girl! She didn't like how dark it was in there. She thought I was trying to put her to bed in there, I guess! The kids rode some more rides, and we got Elise on the Rock-N-Roller Coaster!! She was terrified, but she wanted to go since she was tall enough, and it was her Daddy's favorite ride. She stood there and watch the car ahead of us take off and said, "I'm out." We talked her into getting on though, and she LOVED it! She made it even more fun for me since she liked it so much. So, then we ate (We ate a LOT!) that evening at 50's style diner place where the waitresses were like mamas. They made us mind our manners, get off our phones, elbows off the tables, etc. When another table next to us needed to be cleared off, Kale and Luke got up to help wipe it clean. Super cute! Oh! And Hayley (Traci's neice) got up and performed "I'm a Little Teapot" for everyone on our side of the restaurant! Ha!

  

 On Sunday, we went to have breakfast at the Grand Floridian. We saw Pooh and Piglet, Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter, and Mary Poppins. Alice was sooo nice to Luke! He was driving McQueen and Mater around on the table, and she came and played with him. She asked him about his toys and was really sweet. After breakfast, we saw more of the Magic Kingdom and rode more of the little rides (Dumbo Flying Elephants, Buzz Lightyear ride, Pooh ride, etc.). Luke met Buzz, too!! He gave Buzz and hug and a high five. He's still telling people about meeting Buzz and getting a "big ol' hug" from him. We got to see the castle, too! Pretty neat. That afternoon, we went over to Downtown Disney and shopped. I was warned to save shopping money for that place, and I'm glad I did! The neatest stuff was there, so we ended up getting most of our souvenirs that day. The rest of the crew went on to the T-Rex Grill, and me and the kids went and picked up sandwiches and Ghirardellis ice cream. :) There was a little splash pad there Luke had fun on, too.

 

Monday was our last day there. We managed to get a few pictures, but it ended up being a very long day of fighting sickness and dealing with plane delays! We made it home, and we are STILL recovering! 

So, what else is there to love about Disney World, and why in the heck would I want to go back!? Well, I'll tell you! I've never seen a place more clean and accommodating for kids. There were things I discovered that just blew my mind. For instance, I couldn't buy gum anywhere. Not at Disney World, and not even at the Orlando airport! They want their stuff kept nice! 

When the kids and I left Lubbock that morning, we checked our bags, and never touched them again until they were in our room that same day at Disney World. How nice is that!? Made traveling so easy for me. Same thing on the day we left - Left our bags at the check-out desk at the hotel, and got them at Lubbock. Awesome!

I never had to wait in line to use the restroom, anywhere. The bathrooms were clean, and there was a little sink for kids at every one.

We never put on sunscreen. Not once! The sun is just different there. Plus, we were in and out of places so much, we never really were in the sun for hours straight. All the roller coasters are indoors! This was crazy to me. I never knew what I kind of ride I was in for - hence the face in the picture! Super nice though.

I had found little hand held evaporative coolers (like little air conditioners) before we left, and I just mounted them to my stroller and kept batteries and cold water with me all the time. I'd turn those on and put them through the back netting of the kids' stroller, and it really helped keep them cool! I was super glad we had them!

At every park, there was a baby station. I could take Landry in to their private nursing rooms, and they had changing tables, a play area, etc. just for the babies.

I also want to go back when the kids are 3 and 5 because the new Fantasyland will be open, and I think Luke will still be young enough to enjoy it. It was truly magical for him. In my opinion, I think the preschool age is the absolute BEST time to go. Luke's mind was just blown by the things he saw. He was so amazed by the characters, and he wasn't ever bored. I think if we were to wait too long to go back, he wouldn't as be interested in Mickey Mouse, McQueen, Mater, and Jake.... But at the same time, he might not be big enough for the big rides and stuff. So, we are surely going back before too long. And to think of Landry being older and in awe of it all is so exciting, too! And Heath! Heath is gonna go with us next time. :)

I'm so glad we got to go with such a helpful crew. Their experience and extra hands made the trip an awesome experience for us. Thank you, friends!!