Florida – Day 5 & 6

MAGIC KINGDOM!!! NEED I SAY ANYTHING MORE??!! This is my

(Christi) FAVORITE park!!

 

   Gracie loves the Characters if you haven’t learned that by now.                                              Wish I could have got Jeremy’s picture by Captain Jack Sparrow which is his favorite movie character from Pirate’s of the Caribbean.     Dale’s one and only purchase was this giant Caramel, Chocolate and Pecan Apple. It was like a massive turtle candy wrapped around a giant apple.  It took him a long time to eat it all.

  One of the fun things we did in 1995 was to ride Alice’s Tea Cup Ride.  Back then all five of us fit in but now we were still able to fit the four of us in. The guys just said “hang on Mom, we are going to make this tea cup spin”  And they sure did, just look at Dale in fast motion.                                                                 Gracie was still so unsure of going on any rides and oh, the carrying on and crying when Julie wanted to take her on It’s a Small World ride.  Julie knew she would like it once she got on it that she very patiently talked her through it.  Once Gracie heard the music she quieted right down and started singing along with the words.  By the end of the ride she wanted to go on again.                                                       There are so many things to do and see at Magic Kingdom. Here, Tyler is trying to pull Excaliber’s sword from the stone. Gracie wasn’t sure about the carousel.  Sometimes she is fine with the one at the mall and other times not, but she finally decided she wanted to go on the horses.                                               Playing at the 100 Acre Woods and at Mickey and Minnie’s houses was a treat for the kids.  They really got into that.  We didn’t stay for the fireworks at night as we have had so many late nights and it was hard for the kids to endure, but it was dark by the time we left the park so we got to see Cinderella’s Castle all lit up. Julie and Jeremy took the kids back to the condo/resort while Jeff, Joey, Dale and I went back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to watch Fantasmic – a laser show featuring Mickey Mouse and MANY of the Disney characters.  That certainly was most certainly worth the wait.

Friday was spent leisurely again, but we did visit Downtown Disney and saw this dragon made out of LEGOS – quite amazing!                         

Our flight home on Saturday was early – up at 5:00 AM and out the door by 6:15.  I think by now we were all ready to get back to home life even though regretful that it all had to end. 

Jeff entertains Gracie as we wait to board the plane.  The boys were such a huge help with the kids so that Jeremy and Julie could have some time alone, but after all – they really love their only niece and nephew.  What a blessing it was for Dale and I to spend a week with our adult children and our grandchildren.  It is a trip that we will cherish forever.

 

Florida – Day 3 & 4

After two very busy and fairly late nights we thought it best to take a day to stay around the condo/resort and enjoy the pools and fun that they allow. After spending the morning with everyone in the water, I scoped out the Florida mall where Dale and I had been before and I knew that they had an M&M World Store. Oh, Yeah! Did I have fun!! I should have taken my camera with me to take a picture of the cute opening to the store, and the M&M NASCAR inside, but I didn’t think I would need it – then – shame on me, I forgot to use my cell phone camera. Oh, well.

So, let’s skip to Day 4 -

On Day 4 we went to Disney’s Hollywood Studio. When the kids walked into this park they KNEW that they were at Disney. Once again the favorite for the kids was having their picture taken with the characters, and can you imagine Tyler’s excitement when Lightening McQueen and Mater were there, and Gracie’s favorites Leo and Annie from the Little Einsteins.

At Disney’s Hollywood Studio we divided up a bit so Tyler and Gracie could play a bit more at things that related to them, while Dale and I with Jeff and Joey went to things like The Studio Backlot Tour. Highlights for this day was the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, and the Spectacle of Dancing Lights where they lit up the buildings with millions of Christmas lights, playing Christmas Carols and snow falling in Florida at the end of the day. The guys of course liked the rides like Rockin’ Roller Coaster and the Tower of Terror, while Gracie and I enjoyed Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage together. Julie and Jeff were seriously going to audition for The American Idol Experience, but by the time they got there the spots were filled. Would have loved to hear my kids sing on stage!

Check in tomorrow for one more posting on our Florida trip.

Florida - Day 2

We spent our second day at EPCOT.

Joey remembered the big ball from when we went in 1995 so we had to make sure we went on that again. We noticed some changes, but mostly it was the same. The biggest excitement for Gracie (and Mommy and Gramma) was the Princess breakfast in the land of Norway. We had our minds thinking we were going to be in The Lands, but after calling just the right number we found our reservations in the land of Norway. Gracie was in all her glory to see so many princesses.

(Belle)

(Snow White) (Jasmine) (Sleeping Beauty)

(Ariel)

In loving memory of our dear Auntie Cene we had to have our picture taken with Tigger and Pooh. We felt very lucky to stumble upon them in the United Kingdom, late at night.

The guys of course liked the rides the best but a BIG highlight for everyone was the ILLUMINATIONS fireworks and laser show at night.

Stay tuned for more...

Florida – Day 1

Here’s Gracie pulling her own weight at the airport, and Tyler making the flight time fun with his PS2.

Gracie wasn’t so sure about all the new experiences like the bus ride from our cars to the airport and the tram rides, but they both took the airplane ride in stride.

We had a wonderful week visiting all four Disney Parks last week. It was great to experience it all through first time visitors, Tyler and Gracie.

Our first park was Animal Kingdom. Julie and Jeremy are the only ones in our family that have seen AK so it was fun for us to see something new.

Joey and Jeremy with Flik

Tyler was sure to let us know that he wasn’t going to have his picture taken with any GIRL character, but he was more than willing to let us snap pictures with Donald, Goofy and the BOY characters. Lately Gracie and Tyler have enjoyed watching Lion King, and Timon the Meerkat is Gracie’s favorite. We could not have planned it better at the parade in Animal Kingdom that Timon would come up and give Gracie not one, but two kisses! Tyler really likes Pluto and at that same parade, Pluto bypassed Gracie and went up to Tyler to rub his head and get a high five. Tyler was all smiles!

I think the highlight for everyone at this park was the Lion King show, and the Safari ride Of course, the guys and Julie liked the roller coaster rides while Gramma entertained Gracie.

Who do you think liked having their picture taken with Pocahontas better? Joey or Gracie?? :)

Stay tuned for a recap on Day 2.