The Year of A Million Dreams....

Walt Disney World! What can I say? We had a spectacular week packed full of rides, characters, parades, entertainment, fireworks, 3D shows, swimming and the list goes on and on. It all started with the plane ride. First time flyers are always interesting. Getting through security is a lot more work with three children! Trying to get everyone's stuff in the totes, plus taking off shoes...not to mention all the questions of why, why, why. "Just keep moving"...seemed to be my favorite phrase of the day. Our plane ride was uneventful. All went well. No complaints from me on that. We were picked up by a Disney motorcoach and taken to our resort. We opted to stay on Disney property - The Grand Floridian. A beautiful resort. Cassidy would have spent the entire week in the pools had we let her. It was amazing watching what they got excited over. For instance...the little "Geco lizards", the pools, the white sand, the duck that made his home in our pool....I know what you're thinking....the same thing I was. What! This is Disney - you know, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, etc. Don't get me wrong, they loved that too. We were able to hit all four of Disney's parks along with part of one day spent at Blizzard Beach (an amazing water park). It's obvious my children love water. They wanted to know what day we were going back to that park. The water slides were a blast and we enjoyed playing in the tidal wave. Trevor stayed on the very outside edge and would try to jump the waves as they came in. He thought he was so cool! A few of our highlights...Spencer loved Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom, Cassidy loved Splash Mountain and Trevor loved the carousel. Bryan and I braved all the rides with the kids, taking turns of course, because Trevor couldn't ride the big ones. It worked to the advantage of the kids because this way they got to go twice right away. We lucked out with the crowd. The parks were quiet. There was no waiting in line. We walked right on the rides. (Thank goodness - considering Bryan's patience and love for crowds). It could have had something to do with Hurricane Ike. Most people don't head for the storm ~ we just prayed it went another way. Our guardian angel was listening. (Thanks, dad!) The day we went to Animal Kingdom turned out to be another blessing. We were presented with Mickey ears from Disney park employees. These are "The Year of A Million Dreams" that were produced just for the parks to hand out. You can not purchase them. It turns out they are good for more than just your head. Later that day we hit Holleywood Studios (MGM) and the Tower of Terror. Here's my thoughts on that ride...I did it, I can say I did it...I will never go on that ride again. Spencer went twice...once with Bryan and then turned right around and went with Cassidy and I. Well, we are not sure if it was the ride, the food we were eating, a virus or what...BUT....after leaving that park Spencer got sick on the bus ride back to our resort. I could tell he wasn't feeling well, but kept praying he would make it. Nope! So guess what, Bryan & I sacrificed our Mickey ears. Turns out they make great puke bowls. Note to all bus drivers...garbage baskets are essential. Oh, life with kids. Never a dull moment. I enjoyed the fireworks and parade at Magic Kingdom. It is an amazing place to visit. If you ever get the chance - GO FOR IT! It truly is a MAGICAL place.