Rachel sat by Jake on the airplane for 5 hours, don't worry we bought her lots of stuff to make up for it. The boys really handled the flight well, I think we are ready for Hawaii!
Our flight was delayed so we didn't arrive in Orlando at our hotel until midnight, but everyone was up and out the door the next morning by 8:00 for Day 1.
The view from our hotel window, when the kids saw this they didn't even want to go to Disneyworld anymore.
The Magic Kingdom
Disneyworld is made up of 4 main parks: The Magic Kingdom (the most similar to Disneyland), Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. We took a taxi from our hotel to the entrance fo the Magic Kingdom. We were so excited to find out that to get there you have to ride on the Monorail or take a Ferry. We opted for the Ferry, you can see Cinderella's Castle in the background, so exciting, and a little chilly, the boys are huddled for warmth.
We started with Space Mountain (like we always do) and were disappointed to find out that this ride hasn't been updated since the 60's. It is not the smooth fun rollar coaster of Disneyland, it is more like the Matterhorn. Paul and I both didn't like it (we are old, it hurt our necks), but the lead in through all the tunnels and corridors was neat, and the exit was awesome--I couldn't take any pictures, because Paul had his fastpass juices flowing and we had to hurry to the next ride.
We started with Space Mountain (like we always do) and were disappointed to find out that this ride hasn't been updated since the 60's. It is not the smooth fun rollar coaster of Disneyland, it is more like the Matterhorn. Paul and I both didn't like it (we are old, it hurt our necks), but the lead in through all the tunnels and corridors was neat, and the exit was awesome--I couldn't take any pictures, because Paul had his fastpass juices flowing and we had to hurry to the next ride.
Now, just a little aside here. Paul doesn't appreciate the negative light he has been portrayed in during my last few blogs. While he admits that he was definitely unpleasant to be around, he doesn't want me to mention it in the blog, to this I reply:
Now, having said that, I will go on the record here and say, Paul was an absolute dream this trip. He was in a great mood throughout the entire trip, even when I was ready to strangle the next child who complained, he was patient and understanding! (There is really something to be said for going to meetings in the morning and then hooking up with the family in the afternoon. Half a day of Disney cheer might be all that is humanly possible.)
Everyone had their own 50 dollar Disney giftcard to spend on overpriced junk , um, way neat souvenirs. Brig bought this giant Jack Skellington hat that I had to hold on every ride. We wanted Jake to get these rasta Mickey ears, but he refused, at least he let me take a pic of them. You know, if they are going to put a gift shop at the end of every ride, I'm going to let my kids touch all the stuff on the way out of the store.
Cinderella's Castle was really awesome, but in general Magic Kingdom not as fun as Disneyland.
Day 2 Hollywood Studios
This was my favorite Disney park. Most like California Adventure, but with some great additions. Tower of Terror (a little different), Rockin' Roller Coaster, Toy Story Mania, and a great live Beauty and the Beast and Indiana Jones Stunt show. This pic of Jake on a speeder was the only picture I took at this park because we were just having too much fun.
Day 3 Animal Kingdom
I really didn't think this was going to be very fun, but was pleasantly surprised. We all loved the Expedition Everest roller coaster. My favorite thing was the Finding Nemo live show-absolutely amazing. The kids loved all the amimal exhibits.
There was a Hippo in this tank right behind them, it was awesome. Ben and Pumba.
See how easily a Rhino could eat Jake and Rach!
This is the bird that kept trying to eat my lunch, it actually pecked me! Rachel thought it was a little wierd because I was having chicken, which inspired a great lunch time talk about cannibalism (I hate to think what the people sitting around us thought).
Day 4 Epcot
Day 4 Epcot
We stayed at the pool the whole morning and went to the park after Paul had finished his meetings for the day.
This pic was actually the first day, after Magic Kingdom closed we came over to Epcot (which was open later) we weren't really planning on spending too much time at Epcot, because everyone said it was the least interesting for kids. We loved it, especially the Mission to Mars ride was incredible.
The boys all wanted a turn holding up the Epcot ball.
Right inside the front doors of the castle--amazing.
Wall of portraits that were flat LCD screens that talked to each other and the people moved in and out of the pictures. I wish we could have just stayed and watched, but the line was moving.
The boys all wanted a turn holding up the Epcot ball.
Rachel found this princess sword, shiel, crown set in "Germany." Sadly she didn't want to spend her giftcard on this stuff.
Proof of Paul's fabulous attitude, big smiles on Pirates at 11:30 at night.
Day 5 Universal Studios Orlando
Ok, this has been so long, but its the last park-going day, and the best. We have been wanting to visit "Harry Potter Land" since we heard about it last year. We were so excited since we have seen all the movies and I read the first book to the boys at the beginning of the school year. IT WAS AWESOME! Even though is was super crowded, really hot, and we were tired from our marathon week, this is an awesome theme park.
We started our day by standing in a ginormous line for the Forbidden Journey ride. You wander through Hogwarts castle and then go on a ride that simulates a broomstick at the end. It was so amazing. I grinned like an idiot the whole way through, I'm such a muggle. I got a couple of really poor pics, that don't do the ride justice.
Proof of Paul's fabulous attitude, big smiles on Pirates at 11:30 at night.
Day 5 Universal Studios Orlando
Ok, this has been so long, but its the last park-going day, and the best. We have been wanting to visit "Harry Potter Land" since we heard about it last year. We were so excited since we have seen all the movies and I read the first book to the boys at the beginning of the school year. IT WAS AWESOME! Even though is was super crowded, really hot, and we were tired from our marathon week, this is an awesome theme park.
We started our day by standing in a ginormous line for the Forbidden Journey ride. You wander through Hogwarts castle and then go on a ride that simulates a broomstick at the end. It was so amazing. I grinned like an idiot the whole way through, I'm such a muggle. I got a couple of really poor pics, that don't do the ride justice.
Right inside the front doors of the castle--amazing.
Wall of portraits that were flat LCD screens that talked to each other and the people moved in and out of the pictures. I wish we could have just stayed and watched, but the line was moving.
Hogwarts in the background from the line for the Dragon Challenge roller coaster. Jake was about 3 inches too short for this ride so he and I waited at the exit with some icy cold Butterbeers for everyone. ($6 cream soda with a foamy topping)
Rachel and I had a great time shopping in Honeydukes for sugar quills, every flavor beans, chocolate frogs , and pygmy puffs. Rachel was also "chosen" by a wand in Ollivanders (when a wand chooses you your parents have to pay $31.50 to take the wand home and not spoil the entire experience).
We had front row seats for the Frog Choir. Rachel wore a pedometer the whole trip; we walked a total of 47 miles and 97,000 steps. We had a great time, but it will be a while before we do Disney again.
We had front row seats for the Frog Choir. Rachel wore a pedometer the whole trip; we walked a total of 47 miles and 97,000 steps. We had a great time, but it will be a while before we do Disney again.
