Disney World - Trip #1

In September, we took a fabulous trip to Disney World.  It was amazing.  We went with our good friends Heather and Mark and their little boy, who is almost exactly Henry's age.  If the saying, "Half of the vacation's fun is in the planning" is true, then just consider us some of the hardest party animals around! The moms woke up VERY early exactly 180 before the trip and booked all of the restaurants for dinner.  There were spreadsheets for everything.  Or, rather, one spreadsheet with everything on it: daily parks for morning and after dinner, mode of transportation, lunch options based on proximity and fare, park strategy for the day, extra magic hours, reservation information, and even outfit choices (can't wear a pirate shirt to Epcot - that would be madness!!!!)  For me, the planning was fun.  And nobody really minded the spreadsheet because I didn't wave it under their nose and Beau and Henry and Edward seemed really grateful to know that, when their tummies were rumbling in the Magic Kingdom, there was an air conditioned restaurant a mere 50 yards away that served delicious fish and chips.  What else made our trip fabulous?  Our beautiful hotel was very conveniently situated near transportation.  The weather was warm, but nice.  Not much rain.  Great pool weather.  Low crowds.  Oh, and everyone really, really had SO MUCH FUN.  

We stopped through our beloved Aunt Lynnette and Uncle Pom's house on the way to Disney.  I wish we could have stayed longer!  They have two boys, so they know what a wild life it is.  Beau and Henry are crazy about them!

Uncle Pom is a wonderful soccer coach and was giving Beau some pointers!

He still talks about this football helmet!

We arrived to the Polynesian early, so we ate some amazing lunch  while we waited on our room.  The ducks were  having some lunch, too!  P.S.  Not our Jazzy scooter.  But they sure are plentiful at WDW.

Happy to be starting our vacation!

WE'RE HERE!!!

We hopped right on the monorail and headed to the Magic Kingdom.

And we went straight to Small World.  The first out of probably 10  rides on Small World that week.

That night we headed to Epcot and saw all of the Nemo stuff!  The boys were all totally amazed with the aquarium. 

Laughing at a joke on the Jungle Cruise!  Those tour guides are hilarious!

Boys will be boys, even at Cinderella's Castle.

Such a cutie!!

Aurora is my favorite princess!  

Ariel sure was nice to Beau.  He really only knew of Belle before our trip, but he was totally happy to get attention from lots of pretty girls!

Finally getting to meet Belle.  By the way, Beau really identifies with Gaston from Beauty and the Beast.  Loves that he hunts, throws his dirty boots everywhere and has a pack of dogs.  Sigh.  

If you are a kid at Cinderella's Royal Table, you get to decorate a Mickey cupcake.  If you are a mom, you get to eat cheesecake.  Cheesecake is MAGICAL.

If you are too tired to hold your sword, it's time to head back to bed!  

On the safari ride in Animal Kingdom.  Such an amazing ride.  So many animals!! 

Henry Bear loved it too!

Rhinos!  And mouse ears.

A snake show in Animal Kingdom.

The world's best petting zoo (i.e. running around with goats!)

Brushing goats is MAGICAL.

On the Animal Kingdom train!  

Digging for dino bones!

Future roommates hanging out in Epcot, waiting for the big boys to ride Soarin'

The boys are definitely NOT afraid of characters!  

Cheese!!!

This is Duffy Bear.  I LOVE HIM.  He just came to the US from Japan last year.  Read up on him here: http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2010/05/duffy_and_sinbad.html  (This is a good read!) 

We had a fun dinner at Chef Mickey's!

"The Walt Disney Railroad is a real, live steam engine and it is one of the best attractions in ALL of the parks.  We both give it two thumbs up."
 - Beau Mercer and Henry Mercer

Beau is amazed by the sassy Mr. Potato Head in the line for Toy Story Mania in Hollywood Studios.

Toy Story Mania is a 3-D ride!  And if you look closely, you can see that Henry feels that Disney Parks should be shoe optional.

The fun guys squealing with anticipation in the Buzz and Woody meet and greet line!

It is absolutely ridiculous when people tell me that Henry won't have fun at Disney.  Just look at that face!!  He was so happy to meet Woody.  Disney is the BEST place for a little guy!

Welcome to Pizza Planet! *in robot voice*

We hung out with some Army Men from Toy Story!

Even waiting for our dinner table was fun!

I love this little guy!

Beau can relax anywhere.

I love how social Beau is.  He is happy to get up and march in a Winnie the Pooh parade with a bunch of kids that he doesn't know.  See him in the back, clapping and smiling?

Henry and Beau got to watch the parade, and then H. Bear and I hopped the monorail and went on to bed and Beau got to stay up and eat Mickey Mouse head ice cream and watch the "Boom Fireworks" with Edward.  He says that it was the best part of the trip.

Our early morning in Magic Kingdom and our first time trying the amazing Ten Rides by 10am strategy.  If you are ever going to visit the Magic Kingdom with young children, this is a must read:  http://allears.net/ae/issue533.htm 

If you get up early enough to be at the Magic Kingdom before it opens, you are treated to a Welcome Show (Mickey Mouse arrives on a choo choo and there are fireworks!).  It is worth waking up just for this!  But no wait times for rides is also a very nice perk.  MAGICAL.

We could hardly keep up with our husbands, who were headed to the first ride (see how empty it is?).  Also, we could hardly believe that we have husbands.  And kids.  

Republicans.  On an Elephant.

In line for Mickey's Philharmagic.  Do you think he was having fun?  (I secretly think he was trying to charm all of these old people into giving him a quarter)

Duffy Bear patiently waiting for his table at San Angel Inn at Epcot's Mexico.

Just a typical morning commute for Edward.  Paper.  Coffee.  Stroller.  Monorail.  

Disney's worst, fumiest, most outdated ride.  And Beau's favorite.  See him behind the wheel?  Barely?  Oh, Edward's poor neck....

Beau rode Splash Mountain several times.  He was JUST tall enough.  He loved it!!

Edward's face cracks me up, but look at Henry's.....pure delight!  

Our last dinner at Biergarten in Epcot's Germany.  Live polka music!

I pretend to enjoy the German food, but we all know why I love this restaurant and it's not the schnitzel.  It's the dessert!!  MAGICAL.

Two things essential for your Disney vacation: beer and hand sanitizer.  

The chicken dance!!  

The little boys having fun on the monorail.  And the dads in the background are making "dad faces" and talking about traveling home the next day.

Before we hit the road to head home, we spent a 1/2 day in Hollywood Studios to tie up some loose ends!  Mike Wazowski! 

The perfect way to cap off a trip with little boys: a stunt show with Lightning McQueen.




 It was all magical.  And on our last full day, we went to guest services and purchased an annual pass.  So we can visit a few more times this year while we meet up with family in Orlando.  And maybe once more at the end of the Summer.  I really would go every day if I could!