Disney Day 2 Epcot Akershus Princess Lunch

Colton and I were sad that we slept through the princess lunch, but we were wiped out and anyway Christy took much better pictures than I ever could have. I understand that the highlight was Snow White kissing Jack Ranger and also getting special cupcakes for their birthday (a bit of an early celebration). Cadie told me she made a special wish, but she would not tell me what she wished for. Jack Ranger didn't want us to clean off that lipstick!

Disney Day 2 Magic Kingdom

Despite the late night, on Friday morning Christy, Grant and I and the kids rose bright and early to catch the bus at 8am for magic hours at the Magic Kingdom. We were trying to make it for the opening ceremony at 8:40 when the train comes in with all the characters, but we missed it by just a smidge due to a late bus. Dawna slept in a bit and then she spent the morning at Epcot. Big John, Nina and Papa met us a bit later at Magic Kingdom.

When we got there, we went straight to ride the new Seven Dwarfs mine train. Jack Ranger was a little nervous at first so while Christy, Grant and Cadie waited in line and rode the mine train, Colton and Jack Ranger and I rode Winnie the Pooh, the Carousel, Peter Pan and It's a Small World. Once Grant and Christy confirmed that Jack Ranger would love the Seven Dwarfs ride, Jack Ranger and I used our baby swap fast pass to ride it. Jack Ranger loved it and said it was his favorite ride. He did it again that day with Nina and Papa. 

I took Colton back to the hotel to rest and Grant, Christy, Jack Ranger, Cadie and Big John stayed at Magic Kingdom. Nina and Papa stayed too and I think they might have spent some time at Magic Kingdom just the two of them.

Jack Ranger playing while we were waiting at the bus stop. He wore those boots 100% of the trip.

Disney Day 1 Magic Kingdom

After the Luau my Mom took Colton back to the hotel and the rest of us headed to magic hours at the Magic Kingdom. Jack Ranger loved the ride on the monorail from the Polynesian Resort to the Magic Kingdom.

We told the kids that they could each pick out one special toy on the trip and Cadie found her one special thing at the end of the Briar Rabbit Log Ride - a small stuffed Briar Rabbit. We tried to convince her not to get it since she already has about 50 little stuffed toys just like it (and in fact she brought about 15 in her suitcase - it was good we had a washer/dryer because she didn't have room to pack many clothes). However, she was very committed to this little Briar Rabbit toy. We told her she needed to think about it overnight and it was all we heard about for the next 12 hours. Grant took her back to get it the next day. JR, of course, picked out a car - it was from the gift shop at the end of Star Tours in Hollywood Studios and is one of the Cars characters dressed up with a Star Wars costume. They each also got a hat because it was so hot and bright - Cadie a princess hat and JR a Cars hat with Mickey ears.

Monorail - Favorite ride so far!!

Disney Day 1 Polynesia Luau

Despite the rain we all had a fun time at the Spirit of Aloha Luau at the Polynesian Resort. All 10 of us plus a stroller piled into my parent's Honda pilot to get to the Luau. It was like a clown car with 4 of us in the very back (me, Big John, Christy and Cadie), 4 in the back seat and 2 in the front. Good thing we all get along! Colton definitely ate the most of anyone at the Luau, but we all were hungry and the food was good.

Disney Day 1 Animal Kingdom

I really like Animal Kingdom - the safari, nemo show, lion king show and dinosaur playland. However, I wouldn't let Grant take Jack Ranger on the Dinosaur ride and I am glad I didn't! It is way too scary. Even Cadie said she didn't want to ride it again until she was an adult. Around noon my Dad and I took the kiddos home to rest and the others stayed to ride Everest. All 4 of us (me and the 3 kiddos) had great naps. I liked that much better than Everest.

Disney Day 1 Animal Kingdom Tusker House Breakfast

We kicked off our Disney vacation with a character breakfast at Tusker House in Animal Kingdom. The highlight was probably the Mickey Mouse waffles which the kids ate volumes of during our entire vacation. Sweet Christy Rome bought the kids autograph books and they enjoyed getting all the character autographs.

We've got our magic bands and we are ready to go!

Disney: The Countdown is OVER

The kids have loved their daily Disney countdown calendar which was lovingly hand-made by the incredible Christy Rome. The kids did great on the flight and Cadie enjoyed watching the in-flight movie, Maleficent. We all collected on Wednesday evening at the hotel, Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village. Our room was big and roomy and so comfortable. The kids and I went to bed early and Grant and the rest went to dinner on property.

Our trip includes the 5 of us, DD and Big John (Grant's parents), Nina and Papa (my parents) and Christy Rome, our wonderful friend from our Baylor days. Grant and Christy have worked hard to plan a wonderful trip and hit all the highlights. Disney here we come!!!

On the Magical Express - tired but still happy!

Our hotel had zebras, giraffes and birds roaming all around the hotel. Really cool.