So now the down-low on WDW...phew! I am tired! We got home on Sunday and we were all exhausted. We went hard for six days. The little kids napped when and where they could. Up late every night and up early every morning. Fortunately we had Uncle Ben to entertain us and Nana to spoil us.
My advice to anyone planning to travel to WDW. First, do not take 2-yr-olds. I know what you are thinking, "How obvious!" But apparently not to many MANY parents. For every 5 screaming children we encountered at least 4 were 2-yr-olds. Next, only take children who either do not need a nap or can nap out and about. We just made it on both accounts. Isaac can go several days in a row without a nap and Leah is still young enough to nap just about anywhere. Grace and Uncle Ben could have gone from sun-up to sun-down- however the rest of us were done after about 6 hours. Then, have your vacation planned out. You need to know what rides and activities you are going to do b4 you get into the parks or you really will waste valuable time walking around and waiting in lines for not-so-good rides/shows. Finally, be prepared to wait. We waited in lines for rides, to meet characters, to get food, to go to the bathroom, to get strollers, to catch the shuttle and to get into the parks. Lots of waiting and for little ones the day can get long fast. So to get through all of the waiting make sure you have a stroller; yummy, unhealthy, Disney World snacks; some souvenirs to play with; and of course an Uncle Ben to keep everyone entertained.
Speaking of which, here is Uncle Ben now outside of Hollywood Studios doing a weird human strength trick on the "Line Begins Here" pole. Of course Grace and Isaac are fascinated. Well probably we all were.
And then the hi-lite of Isaac's trip, meeting Buzz Light Year. You know that I am that crazy mom who brought that costume all the way from NC with our carry on luggage (so we wouldn't risk losing it) so that my kid can be dressed to the nines when he meets his hero. He was so freakin' adorable.
On our second day we went to the Magic Kingdom. Leah and Grace loved sharing the stroller together. Plus it was a great place to eat Mommy's caramel/nut apple.
Family photo outside of Cinderella's Castle.
Uncle Ben fits right in.
So Grace took about 20+ "character" photos during our week. This was one of her favorites with Princess Aurora/Sleeping Beauty. Grace and I had a very special luncheon at Cinderella's Castle where she got to meet all of the princesses (except Snow White). She was so excited and we brought her Princess Aurora dress and accessories just for the luncheon. Grace wore her dress the rest of the day and loved the attention the WDW cast members (aka employees) paid her. It was quite evident that little girls dressed at princesses (and there were a ton of them!) were to be given special attention and addressed as princesses. It was adorable.
One of our favorite activities...shuttling back and forth from hotel to parks. haha.
In the Magic Kingdom there is a special ceremony for taking the flag down in the late afternoons. Grace got to say the Pledge of Allegiance for the ceremony! Isaac is standing up there too with another brother and sister. We were so proud of Grace. She said it perfectly!
Late night at the MK. Isn't the castle neat?
We had some rain on day 3 and decided to head to Epcot where there are lots of indoor rides. The best "ride" was the stroller wars between Sid and Uncle Ben.
And we got to meet Beauty and the Beast!
And of course no amusement park vacation is ever complete without a ridiculously large lollipop. This time Isaac did not fall asleep while eating it.
On day 4 we headed to the Animal Kingdom for a brunch with more characters. No I am not referring to Uncle Ben. I had a great time with my brother who I hadn't seen in two years. We talk, text, and email, all of the time, but it's just not the same. I miss him.
Poor Nana had to sleep with Isaac and Grace. She actually shared a bed with Grace which I warned against. Grace would wake up in the middle of the night, then wake up Nana and make Nana massage her! Of course Nana did. Nana had a taste of my life and what it is like to never sleep through the night!
And here is Nana and Loo. Loo got a cute little Minnie Mouse fleece.
Family photo before brunch with Donald Duck. Love it and I think it is the only one we have with all seven of us.
And finally Grace's hounding for some face painting was granted.
On our last day we headed back to Hollywood Studios. Here I am with the petrified Storm Troopers. Except they were not so petrified as one suddenly turned to me with gun pointed. Grace and Isaac almost wet themselves.
Loo, Isaac, and Uncle Ben getting ready to go on the BackLot Tour.
Isaac and Grace with their cheerleaders. Seriously. So apparently there was some huge cheerleading (CL) competition on Sunday/Monday and the CL were pouring into WDW by the billions (more than Obama's stimulus package). I know what some of you are thinking, "Serves me right." But other than the giant bows (and you know I love a good bow), the TONS of make-up and matching outfits I am starting to have a little more respect for the cheerleading activity. Seems that nowadays you may actually have to have some skill and talent rather than just wealthy, over-involved parents. Anywho, Grace and Isaac latched on to these two girls who played with them for about 45 minutes in the 'Honey I Shrunk The Kids' play area.
Sid and Loo in play area.
In HW Studios there are lots of shows. Here Grace and Isaac are dancing with a bunch of teenage singers/dancers. Kind of like the Fresh Beat Band. If you have no idea what I am talking about be thankful.
This is Leah walking in the hallway of our hotel. She loved to do this. We never figured out why. But she would cry when we would finally drag her into our room and shut the door.
Our gorgeous hotel. I highly recommend the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jambo House Villas. There really is a Savannah with zebras, giraffe, etc right outside your balcony.
And finally. Uncle Ben needed a companion so he bought a monkey that wraps around your neck, and he wore him everywhere! Of course Isaac had to have one.....
...and so did Grace. 