RIDES!

If you ask the kids what their favorite part about Disney was, Abby would shout, “RIDES!” Benjamin would say, “Thunder Mountain Railroad.”

We had so much fun riding rides and visiting attractions. The kids were thrilled with each and every attraction they saw. Luckily, we didn’t have to wait in any long lines, due to the lower attendance, early hour entry and fast passes. Even when we did wait, the kids were surprisingly patient. Benjamin hung in there with me for 45 minutes waiting for Soarin’ in Epcot. It was totally worth it for him, and he would have waited another 45 minutes to ride a second time.

Both kids loved the rides that spun in a circle, like Dumbo, The Magic Carpet Ride and a dinosaur ride. There were several variations, and Abby wanted to ride each one several times.

We did all the classics, like “It’s a small world.” Benjamin was a bit bored on that one, but by the end, Abby was clapping her hands to the music.

The teacups were a must see on our list!

The kids saw more action than they ever are allowed to watch on television. Benjamin was a little nervous about loud car engines, gun fights and exploding tankers at a Holly Wood Studios stunt show. But, it was all worth it to see…

LIGHTNING MCQUEEN! I do believe Benjamin was shaking with excitement.

Benjamin especially loved the roller coasters that he was tall enough to ride.

Here we are on Thunder Mountain Railroad. The ride didn’t scare Benjamin, but he didn’t like the loud noises.

Many of the rides were themed, so we saw Nemo, Whinnie the Pooh, Peter Pan, etc. while riding/flying in little cars. Abby really liked these, but she kept a very serious and focused expression on her face almost all the time.

Benjamin really like The People Mover, which gave us a short tour of several rides in Magic Kingdom.

We got to see wild animals on the Animal Kingdom Safari ride, and then toured a small petting zoo.

And, the kids loved seeing the giant “golf ball” at Epcot, where we also got to see a really neat Nemo exhibit.

Here we are seeing the castle for the first time!

Benjamin and Abby were THRILLED with the Finding Nemo show, and The Disney Junior show.

Abby LOVED the carousal, and we rode it several times. She rode on her horse like she was a queen.

Benjamin LOVED the Buzz Lightyear ride at Hollywood Studios. It was an interactive 3D video game. Since returning home, he asked me why his sunglasses don’t work like the ones we wore in Disney. “Where are all the pictures?” he wondered.

Papa watched all four kids one night so we could go out on dates. Jeremy and I went to Epcot, and had a wonderful time touring the various countries, eating in Mexico and even designing and testing out a virtual roller coaster at Innoventions.

The kids loved spending time together. We had “fun” trying to get a picture with all of them in their Disney shirts.

It was so nice to visit with family! Benjamin and Abby adore their cousins.

Benjamin and Logan found the perfect hats for their personalities.

On the last night, we stayed (in the pouring rain) to watch the electrical lights parade. It was worth it. Benjamin was enthralled, if not shivering and cold. And, the kids were troopers when we had to travel back to our hotel many times after bed time or past nap time.

What Disney trip would be complete without a Mickey Mouse ears ice cream. At the end of a day spent in the park, after eating ice cream twice and getting to eat some candy, Benjamin said, “Daddy, this has been the sweetest day ever!”

Shades of Green Military Resort

Thanks to Mike’s service in the military, we were able to stay at a VERY nice resort for very reasonable room rates, and get half-price tickets to the park. (Thank you Dad for the wonderful gift of paying for the rooms!) The hotel had inexpensive food, large rooms, and a fun pool that the kids loved!

This patriotic Mickey drew the attention of the kids each time we walked past, and Abby always wanted to touch his nose.

Our balcony overlooked one of two golf courses. And, our favorite amenity was the homemade ice cream in the lobby.

The biggest challenge each day was getting to and from the parks with our big strollers. Sometimes Brody and Logan joined Benjamin and Abby on our stroller, and Abby was quite pleased to try out their ride too.

 

Lincoln and Abby spent the most time in the strollers, and they were troopers... usually.

Happy Birthday Logan and Papa!

Papa’s 60th birthday was the main motivation for going to Disney World, but it also made for one amazing 5th birthday for Logan. She chose a princess dinner at Epcot for her celebration, and while we didn’t think our kids would want to meet the princesses, it turned out Benjamin was quite smitten.

Both of our families posed for photos with Belle on the way into dinner. Somehow Papa managed to avoid these photos.

Once inside, the princesses made their rounds to our table.

Abby who was more interested in eating her meal, gave each princess a glare to make sure she knew not to mess with this chica’s food.

Where the magic begins…

As we drove under the Disney World welcome sign, I had to blink back a few tears. It wouldn’t be the only time that week that I found myself feeling a little silly about the sudden emotion. Neither Jeremy, nor the kids, had experienced Disney before, and I was beyond excited to make memories there with them. Disney, while exhausting and at times stressful, truly feels like a magical place. I wanted them to experience special moments like the ones I still cherish from childhood. While I plan to record as many memories as possible from the trip, there were two moments that stood out in my mind as absolute highlights.

As we were riding on the monorail into Magic Kingdom, we caught sight of Mary Poppins waving to us from a nearby steam train. It was then we realized dozens of our favorite characters were waving from the row of cars, heading to the main station to welcome guests with singing, dancing and fireworks as the park gates opened. We arrived just in time to catch the end, and I half ran through the gates, pushing Benjamin and Abby in the stroller and dragging Jeremy. As we rounded the first curve, we slowed to parade down Main Street, which was lined with Disney employees singing and waving hello. Abby and Benjamin waved from their stroller, and I had to put on my sunglasses so no one would notice my eyes were a tad misty.

The castle was up ahead, and all around us people were soaking it all in… and then making a mad dash to the rides they wanted to see before the crowds made the wait lines too long. So, admittedly, I didn’t want to stop for a family photo. Later in the day, when the kids were a bit cranky, we did the best we could…

 

My second favorite memory was visiting Mickey Mouse. I don’t know why it was so emotional, but for my kids to actually meet the mouse they watch on a weekly basis, was precious to me. Benjamin was in awe. Abby, who is obsessed with “mowww,” warily watched from Jeremy’s arms as this talking Mickey Mouse greeted her. After posing for a few photos, Mickey asked Benjamin if he wanted to do “The Hot Dog Dance” from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Benjamin was so overwhelmed, Mickey decided to stop partway through and gave him a hug goodbye instead.

See ya Ohio snow!

If we had done nothing at all while in Florida, escaping the freezing temperatures and piles of snow from this harsh winter would have been vacation enough!

Thankfully, we had wonderfully warm weather, and wonderful adventures in Jacksonville and Orlando too.

On Thursday night, we packed the kids into a mini-van we borrowed from Jan and Joe, and drove all night. While the kids woke up during quick stops for gas, they went right back to sleep and never left their car seats the entire drive to Jacksonville. We arrived, and Jeremy (who had driven all night while I dozed) went straight to bed, while the kids and I visited with the Antrim family and Grandpa Hilty (who was breaking up his winter in Florida and Colorado.)

They had so much fun playing active games, like basketball inside, football in the park, laser tag around the house, etc. Also, there was a great playground nearby, at which the boys discovered a lizard, and caught it so Benjamin and Abby could touch it.

If given a choice, I think Benjamin would have skipped Disney World and moved in with the Antrim family for a while. Abby had fun too, though I think four boys running around tired her out. She also was recovering from a double ear infection, so she still wasn’t back to full speed.

While the kids hung out, Jeremy and Aaron worked to put together the fastest possible derby cars for Saturday’s Awana race. They were debating the best way to make the wheels spin quickly, without using grease or other banned substances. I believe I heard a suggestion of ear wax at one point, though I think they ultimately settled on polishing the wheels with some tool Aaron had. The result paid off. Benjamin came in third place, and Levi won best designed Awana car. Days later, Benjamin still is toting around his trophy.

It was sad to say goodbye, but we were very grateful to have those days to relax and spend time with family before heading to Disney. On Sunday, we hit the road, stopping at Flagler beach on the way to Orlando. It was cold and foggy, so this trip lasted all of ten minutes. Still, it was a good stretch break for the kids.

Then, it was off to Disney World!