Thursday, May 19, 2011

Where dreams really do come true...

Here is the marathon post from our trip to Walt Disney World in April. We were there from the 11th through the 15th and stayed at the gorgeous Bay Lake Towers at the Contemporary Resort. We had a fabulous trip and I can honestly say that we met more characters (mostly princesses) than I ever had in my previous, I dunno, billion times at either Disneyland or WDW. It's kind of sad, you can totally call me a Disney nerd, but I would go back tomorrow. Seriously.

Day 1: Magic Kingdom





We saw the "Wishes" show right as we got into the park














Lunch at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe in Tomorrowland




Our first of six thousand rides on Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin (by far Ellie's favorite ride...we could be eating with the princesses and she would ask to go and ride Buzz)










Meeting the Princesses and Mickey and Minnie Mouse






















At Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort for Dinner










Back at the Magic Kingdom at Tomorrowland Speedway




Rich WILL NOT ride the tea cups, but the girls and I had fun.


We saw the Electrical Parade a few times but we only took pictures the first night. Ellie insisted on taking them, which is why there is only one good enough to post.




Day 2: Hollywood Studios via the boat from Epcot and Downtown Disney







Meeting more characters


Leo and Annie (Little Einsteins)


Mr. Incredible and Frozone


June and Quincy (Little Einsteins)


Handy Manny


Lunch at Pizza Planet...a must-eat for any Toy Story lover!


Lotso


Back at the hotel for naps...oh, and Dad having to leave to rent a car to buy a new camera because little miss cutesie here had to have a tantrum and drop it, lens open, onto the concrete. Funny thing though, it actually started working again while he was gone, so we didn't end up buying a new one...but it remained fickle for the rest of the trip.


The views from our balcony










Dinner at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian Resort with Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, and the Stepsisters.












At Downtown Disney in the Lego store...a giant Woody made of Legos.


Day 3: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and back to Magic Kingdom

To meet Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, Rich got up at about 8:00am, got to the park and in line at about 8:30, just missed the cutoff for the 9:15 show and had to wait for the 10:00 show...but it was way fun and worth it. The kids do this whole coloring and dancing thing before they come out, do a skit, and then pose for pictures.










On the carousel...Rich sacrificed his tummy to go on this one with Julesy.






All three of them couldn't pull the sword from the stone.


Meeting still more characters




Then off to Epcot for lunch with the princesses at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall








Rich and I made a quick stop in Paris.


Meeting Mulan and Mickey and friends












Epcot was having its International Flower and Garden Festival and I thought the topiaries of the characters were incredible.













Back to Magic Kingdom and Peter Pan's Flight. Ellie loved this one second best.


Day 4: Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Dowtown Disney, and back to Magic Kingdom

You guessed it...meeting still more characters




Then off to Hollywood Studios for lunch at with the Disney Junior characters at Hollywood and Vine

Special Agent Oso


Handy Manny


Leo (Little Einsteins)


June (Little Einsteins)




After lunch, we saw the Disney Junior Live on Stage show. The girls LOVED this!

Handy Manny


Little Einsteins


Jake and the Neverland Pirates


Mickey Mouse Clubhouse


Meeting Mike Wazowski




We had dinner at Downtown Disney and headed back at the Magic Kingdom for fireworks




Day 5: Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom



On the Kilimanjaro Safari




I counted something like 23 crocodiles total




And back at Magic Kingdom for three more rides on Buzz before heading home.


We had an absolutely wonderful trip. Ellie asks everyday if we can go back to Disney World tomorrow. I wish, sweetie. Maybe, if I wish upon a star...