The Wonderful World of Disney

Surely, by now, you are accustomed to endless pictures on the blog. Well, I think this post takes it to a whole new level. I just couldn't decide which ones to include and which ones to leave out. So I included them all-again, mostly for my own future enjoyment.

I must admit, when Brad and I canceled a trip to Cabo to take the kids to Disney, I wasn't all that thrilled. My motto was easy: get in, get out.  I wasn't looking forward to it: the lines, the heat, the expense, the exhaustion, the hotel with three kids, etc. HOWEVER, I was wrong!! We had a magical weekend at Disney!

Because my motto was "get in, get out", we flew in late Friday (like, midnight late), split the kids up for two days at Magic Kingdom, LegoLand, and Hollywood Studios, and we flew home early (like, 6:00 am early) Monday morning.  Boy did we cram a lot into 48 hours! Thankfully, Reet Reet made the trip, as did Emma and Katie. WE HAD A BLAST.

We landed close to 11:00 Friday evening, and didn't get to our hotel until after midnight (won't make that mistake again).  James and Natalie napped here and there, but Luke did not close his eye for a single moment.  I woke up around 7:30 Saturday morning to this sleepy, happy face staring at me asking "is it time to go to Disney World?"

James had already been to Magic Kingdom (and sadly is very much out of the Mickey/Toy Story phase 😢), so he and Brad spent Saturday at Lego Land.  Brad had strict orders to take a lot of pictures, but apparently we have different definitions of "a lot" 😃 

Darth Vader

Darth Mal

Dragon Ride

Wild Style--The Lego Movie (James told me to write that he didn't like her)

R2D2

Darth Vader

 

The Lego Movie character

Saturday mom and I took Luke and Natalie to Magic Kingdom for the entire day.  We had a blast doing all of the things that little ones like to do: riding the carousel, Dumbo, and the teacups; watching the show in front of the castle and the parade; riding the train around the park, and let's not forget It's a Small World (one of my favorites).  

 

Dumbo!

Train ride around the park--Luke's favorite

 

It's a Small World

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luke is just now getting into "Minnie Mouse" (aka Mickey). Here he is seeing him for the first time at a show in front of the castle.

And Reet Reet buying Mickey (one of many purchases) 

 


The show in front of Cinderella's castle featured many characters, including Maleficent.  She terrified Natalie.  Natalie ran and hid behind the stroller until she was gone--kinda breaks my heart

Saturday evening Brad took Natalie to Bippitti Boppitti Boutique while the rest of us met Katie, Chris and Emma for pizza and a much needed beer.  I had the wrong time for the appointment, and this sweet dad ran with Natalie to the salon.  As expected, the ladies doted on her.  Natalie loves being a girl more than anyone I know, so this was right up her alley.  When they opened the hotel door, I almost cried.

 

 

 

 

Sunday morning Katie and Emma babysat Luke while Brad and James went to Hollywood Studios for Jedi Training and Natalie, Mom and I went to Epcot for breakfast with the Princesses.

 

Ariel: "and what kingdom are you from?"  Natalie: "Kingdom Houston"

 

went straight for the bacon when Cinderella left

Princess Parade

 

 

change of dress

Emma and Katie met us at Magic Kingdom, and we had a great day!

 

Now, I have to explain Natalie's love of all things princesses.  This little child adores anything related to princesses.  As I told Brad, she was among her people.  At first she was very nervous meeting any of them,

 

But she quickly warmed up

Katie discovered on her app that Aurora and Snow White were towards the front of the park.  Because they weren't regular appearances, there was hardly a wait.  These are two of Natalie's favorites.

 

Snow White absolutely made all of our day.  She visited, twirled, curtesied, danced and even kissed Natalie on the forehead.  A very special moment (Natalie's Snow White outfit was made by Reet Reet).

 

 

Brad and James spent the morning at Hollywood Studios doing all things Star Wars related, including Jedi Training.  They joined us at Magic Kingdom after lunch--just in time for the parade.

watching the new Lego Movie

 

 


When the boys arrived, Brad and I somewhat swapped kids.  James and I rode every roller coaster, some even twice.  He even rode Space Mountain, which is much quicker and scarier than I remembered.

a little wet from Splash Mountain

It's a Small World with Dad

 

 

 

By the end of day two Luke had had enough and actually took a nap.  However, being the good mom that I am, I woke him up to take a picture of all three in front of Cinderella's castle.  Serves me right

 

 

The second day we stayed until the night parade.  We had an amazing trip!!  Brad and I were actually sad to leave---very magical.

 

Just a side note (and stop reading if you have a woozy stomach): on the flight home the two day binge of junk food and sugar took its toll on poor Luke.  He and Brad were both asleep when the stewardess woke Brad to let him know that Luke had pooped through his diaper, through his shorts and all over the seat and Brad's hand/arm.  It was so awful that they had to change out the lower part of the seat---mid flight.  Well, again being the good mom that I am, I didn't have a change of pants.  This is Luke walking through Hobby airport, pulling that darn red suitcase that he insists on pulling everywhere.  Good thing this child has a lot of body confidence.