Disney Vacay: Day 1

 

Disneyworld or BUST!

 

So we did it: we planned and completely surprised our big kiddos with a trip to DISNEYWORLD!  A week ago we gave them a bag of Mickey Mouse themed goodies and had them guess what the "theme" was.  When they guessed Disneyworld, we just asked very casually "Would you like to go to Disneyworld next weekend?"  KK was screaming in total joy, as several of her friends had just visited over spring break.  AJ was more reserved... by reserved I mean oblivious and unimpressed.  He just wanted me to open the wrapper around the 25 cent Mickey stamper that was in his bag.  When I questioned him again he just scrunched his nose as I made the mistake of mentioning princesses... It's moments like that where you just have to laugh.  Thank goodness a week later he had caught on to KK's excitement!  Here are my two little mouseketeers ready to board the plane to Florida:

 

They woke up this morning to surprise #1: cute t-shirts made by Mommy.  You can't get on a plane to Orlando without announcing very clearly why you are going to Florida!  Little did these two know that I had a whole bag of surprises for the trip...

 

Not pictured: sweet baby Kin's t-shirt.  It is like AJ's shirt but with Minnie, and Minnie has a pacifier in her mouth. Too cute!  Our sweet little bug did not join us for this adventure. We decided, with heavy hearts, that she would have more fun staying back at home with Oma and being spoiled.  Hot weather, stuck in a stroller waiting on her brother and sister to ride rides that she wasn't big enough to try... it didn't seem right dragging her around with us.  Let's just leave it at the fact I shed many tears at the airport this morning, despite knowing that she was going to be in the best hands.  (She had an amazing time with Oma and we got pictures throughout the days of her smiling and having fun.  Love my mom!!!)

 

So it was a rough night before we left with tummy issues happening with both kids.  They didn't sleep well and we were worried that this trip was doomed before it started.  Who knew that all it took was a ride on the monorail at the airport to make those two kids perk up and smile?  It figures!

 

As we got on the plane, the kids were immediately invited to jump into the cockpit and try a spin at the wheel of the plane.  The pilots were so kind, they even took these pictures for me:

 

 

We got to wait in our seats for an extra hour on the plane, due to bad weather.  We were happy to be leaving the freezing cold rain and head for sunny skies but man...

It's a good thing I packed a few more surprises in our backpacks!  Some Donald Duck and Minnie Mouse jellybeans for starters...

 

As well as a Disneyworld coloring book to help kill time and get us excited about our trip!

 

I'd love to say the plane ride was smooth once we took off - but due to stormy weather it was very turbulent.  So much so that the flight attendants were coming by to check on us and warn us that it was going to be a rough ride all the way to Florida.  This could have been another strike against us, but instead it was fun.  It was during some crazy dips and drops that AJ decided he couldn't wait to ride rollercoasters when we arrived at DW, something he has previously announced he would not be trying on the trip.  Classic!

 

We landed safe and sound and went on our way to see our resort: Port Orleans Riverside inside Disneyworld. 

We love our Princess themed room -- the beds even have buttons that lite up the stars in the headboard picture.  Very royal :-)

 

Our resort is beautiful!  This was a view of our walk to our room, over the bridge and down along the water.  I feel very Southern and not at all surprised to see horses pulling carriages around.

Flowers and fountains everywhere you look!

Oh yeah - great start to our vacay!

Of course, we had to hit the pool first!  A 95 foot long waterslide, heated water and a hot tub too!

 

After our refreshing swim, we got dressed and headed to the dock.  We took a boat over to Downtown Disney to do some shopping and have dinner. 

We found the Lego store very easily - I don't know how they had the patience to make this out of legos, but it was neat!

KK with Woody and Buzz

AJ posing with his boy, the Hulk

We found the seven dwarfs - again all made of legos

and Prince Phillip battling the dragon.

Then we found the largest Disney store I have ever seen... and KK had to pose with her princesses.

oh we can't wait to meet Cinderella in person!!!

We decided to try on some of the merchandise and see if we started to feel Disney-fied.

This little Minnie loved these ears so much, she bought them!  The store was a little overwhelming so we encouraged her to wait until we made it through a few parks before we spent any more of her money.

Whereas this boy found exactly what he wanted in five minutes without a doubt in his mind - a new friend to snuggle up with at night.  Two actually... Donald Duck was also purchased tonight.  He needed a lovey under each arm I guess.   We aren't sure how they will all fit into bed with him but he doesn't seem too concerned. 

 

After shopping we grabbed sandwiches at the Earl of Sandwich.  The day started to catch up with us and the kids were dragging from not sleeping well the night before.  We headed back for some sleep, with the anticipation of seeing the Magic Kingdom for the FIRST TIME EVER tomorrow morning.  Who knows what tomorrow will bring, but the kids fell asleep smiling...

 

Sweet Dreams Y'all from Disneyworld!