Disney World 2012
What a whirlwind the last week has been, but a great one. We spent the last week in Disney World with the Wood side of the family. We drove up to Matt and Angie's on Saturday and then all of us headed to the airport together on Sunday to meet the Grandparents in Disney World at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. We're lucky that my parents are Vacation Club members so we get exceptionally nice digs. A 3 bedroom space with living room, kitchen and dining room (as well as a loft), laundry in our room, and 4 bathrooms!!! The best part of this hotel was the view out onto the Savannah with our 3, yes 3!, balconies.
Since there are so many pictures things may go slightly out of order.
We spend a good bit of time at the hotel since the kids are little. We also had an unfortunate stomach bug that hit the majority of the family over the week. :( But, having the animals to look out on, some new souvenirs, and a bunch of family around made for a good time in the "room." Various adult groups went out for dinner and we rotated out who watched the kids. It was so great to see once again how fabulously they all get along!
We celebrated Brian's birthday while we were there.
I wish Caroline was in focus in this. She backed up right as I was taking the picture.
We spent a LOT of time at the pool, but the kids also ventured out to the playground. Both kids attempted the big slide at the pool. Neither was wanting to go for a second time. So we stuck with the little slide.
Gabriel saw 2 snakes at Animal Kingdom and came home with this giant rubber snake.
The girls were especially enamored with the savannah view. Lorelai woke up one morning very close to my face (we shared a bed), and whispered, "There are zebras out there. There are cows out there. Chomp! Chomp! They eat the grass."
Lorelai found this Tinker Bell baby at a shop.
The kids enjoyed riding the "school bus." lol
A bit of our savannah view at the Vacation Club area at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Above Lorelai waits for her first day at a Disney Park. We began with Epcot. The Food and Wine Festival was going on at the time. I was a bit bummed that I didn't get to spend more time there. There was some AMAZING food to be eaten. It's probably better for my waistline that I didn't get to though. I did get to have some Argentinian food though, and then we ate in the Cantina in Mexico.
Lorelai and Gabriel took their picture with Donald Duck at Epcot. But, it would appear the Photopass guy messed up and it didn't link up to our card. :( I think Grandma and Grandpa got some shots though.
On Tuesday we went to Animal Kingdom. This turned out to be a difficult day. Barrett had gotten sick in the early morning hours and was still not well. Brian got sick that morning before we left and then Caroline fell pray to the stomach bug that afternoon as well. :/ My dad was off golfing and Matt stayed home with Barrett. So, my mom, Angie and I took my kids and Caroline to the park. I only got 2 pictures from this day since it was so crazy. And the second one turned out blurred. :/
On Wednesday we hit Downtown Disney. My mom had scheduled a lunch at T-Rex to celebrate. The boys hit up the Lego store (Gabriel got his very first big kid Legos!!!), while Lorelai put a dent in the souvenir cash getting a Belle doll and a Belle purse. This girl loves a good purse. lol
Random side note. Gabriel has deemed his Uncle Matt the most fun person on the trip. He announced that randomly in the car today. Congratulations, Matt!!! :)
On Thursday we had our first visit to the Magic Kingdom. (We went back on Friday.) It started off great with pictures in front of the castle. It is GORGEOUS when made up for fall/Halloween!!! Just stunning. Then we went straight to the Buzz Lightyear ride that Gabriel has been talking about for months now. And...he hated it. He sobbed the entire time. But, he made sure his Daddy kept shooting the aliens through his tears. Lorelai on the other hand LOVED all of the rides except the carousel (which is my fault I think for putting her on a horse that was up high and not at my level when we began). She was yelling, "I shoot Zurg! I shoot Zurg!" lol
Teacups were a big hit. As well as the Speedway, Dumbo, and Small World.
Oh, and Winnie the Pooh.
Miss Lorelai was the only tyke to continue to want to see characters. On Thursday she met Snow White as we were leaving. Snow White talked to her for a good bit of time, and Lorelai could not stop saying, "Snow White was SO nice to me! Snow White LIKES me!" lol She even said "Hi" to Snow White. On Friday she met TINKER BELL!!!!! I think she was a bit starstruck with that one. She also met Periwinkle (the new fairy) and Princess Jasmine. I was beyond impressed, proud, and surprised!!!
After the Buzz ride, Gabriel declared that he no longer liked Zurg. :/ I felt so badly, and was a little worried that I'd have to plan an entirely new costume for him. Luckily he seems to have gotten over it.
Since there are so many pictures things may go slightly out of order.
We spend a good bit of time at the hotel since the kids are little. We also had an unfortunate stomach bug that hit the majority of the family over the week. :( But, having the animals to look out on, some new souvenirs, and a bunch of family around made for a good time in the "room." Various adult groups went out for dinner and we rotated out who watched the kids. It was so great to see once again how fabulously they all get along!
Above Lorelai waits for her first day at a Disney Park. We began with Epcot. The Food and Wine Festival was going on at the time. I was a bit bummed that I didn't get to spend more time there. There was some AMAZING food to be eaten. It's probably better for my waistline that I didn't get to though. I did get to have some Argentinian food though, and then we ate in the Cantina in Mexico.
Below Lorelai and Caroline enjoy some Mexican food.
On Tuesday we went to Animal Kingdom. This turned out to be a difficult day. Barrett had gotten sick in the early morning hours and was still not well. Brian got sick that morning before we left and then Caroline fell pray to the stomach bug that afternoon as well. :/ My dad was off golfing and Matt stayed home with Barrett. So, my mom, Angie and I took my kids and Caroline to the park. I only got 2 pictures from this day since it was so crazy. And the second one turned out blurred. :/
On Wednesday we hit Downtown Disney. My mom had scheduled a lunch at T-Rex to celebrate. The boys hit up the Lego store (Gabriel got his very first big kid Legos!!!), while Lorelai put a dent in the souvenir cash getting a Belle doll and a Belle purse. This girl loves a good purse. lol
Saturday was spent at Hollywood Studios. I didn't think there would be much to do there for the kids, but we actually spent our longest day at a park. We went to the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground first. They all LOVED that! Lorelai was obsessed with the tunnel slide, and Gabriel enjoyed the spider web. We then went to Star Tours. Gabriel was 1/2" too short, but Grandpa watched him while I went on with Barrett, Matt, and Angie. I got the boys lightsabers afterwards. :) We hit up the Beauty and the Beast show, The Little Mermaid, The Pixar Parade, and Toy Story Mania.
Sunday we headed home. Gabriel threw up about 3 minutes away from home in the car and has been sick today as well. :/ At least it wasn't on the trip or at the beginning of the drive home from Dallas. We had a fantastic time, and while in some ways it's nice to be home, I really could have stayed longer. Things seem so boring now that we're back and a little less magical now that we're back in our messy house.
Can't wait to go back! :)