Last week, on October 31, we left for our Disney vacation. It was Michael's first trip and I was so excited to take him! WDW is probably one of my favorite places in the world, and I couldn't wait for my four year old son to experience it for the first time!
Day 1: Sunday
We arrived at about 3:00 in the afternoon after a very uneventful drive. I purchased 2 new DVDs and checked out 5 new ones from our local library. I also put together a treat bag of fun toys and activities for the car. Michael was quiet and entertained during the 5 hour trip.
We got an awesome room at the Wilderness Lodge. We had a 1 bedroom villa which was so spacious and hands down the best hotel room I've ever had!
After exploring the hotel, Michael got dressed into his Halloween costume and we headed to Downtown Disney for dinner and Trick or Treating. Michael loved the Lego store and wanted us to buy just about everything there!
Michael posing outside the Lodge in his Halloween costume.
Michael and Lego Woody. He thought this was pretty awesome!
Day 2: Monday
We began our day with a boat ride to the Contemporary Resort to eat breakfast at Chef Mickey's. We met up with my parents who were staying across the lake at Fort Wilderness Campground. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Pluto made the rounds to all the tables during breakfast. Michael wasn't scared of the characters, but did get sick of having his picture taken so much.
After breakfast, we rode the monorail to the Magic Kingdom. I was so excited for Michael to walk through the gates for the first time! He was unimpressed believe it or not! He expected everything to be inside Cinderella's Castle and when I told him we couldn't go into the castle he began to have a fit. He wanted all the rides to be right there and was not into walking anywhere to get to anything. Needless to say, it took him a bit to warm up to the whole theme park idea. Once he did, he loved it! He rode Dumbo twice and Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger 3 times. Those were his favorites!
He lasted until about 2:00 before he wanted to go back to the hotel to rest. I stayed for another 2 hours with my parents while Mike was back at the hotel with Michael. I rode Space Mountain for the first time in over 20 years with my dad. It was so much fun!
Michael and Daddy on the way to the Contemporary for breakfast.
Michael posing with Mickey, before he got sick of taking pictures.
Let the adventure begin!
Day 3: Tuesday
This day we headed to Hollywood Studios. I hadn't been there since shortly after it first opened years ago. We arrived about an hour after opening and unfortunately, this was too late. The Toy Story Mania ride had a two hour wait and no more FastPasses. This was our only ride we weren't able to get on.
We saw some shows, played on the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground, and met Buzz Lightyear, Mr. Incredible and Frozone. Then the skies opened up and it poured! We waited for about 30 min. before making a run for the buses. We spent the afternoon in our room watching Toy Story 3 while it rained. After dinner we headed back to Magic Kingdom and watched the Electric Street parade, rode some rides, and saw the fireworks show. Michael was exhausted!
Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground
Michael's hero, Buzz
Day 4: Wednesday
We arrived at Animal Kingdom about 30 minutes before opening. Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto put on a bit of an opening ceremony show. Once the gates opened we made a beeline for the safari ride and walked right on. I saw more animals than I have ever seen on that ride, but this is also the first time I rode it first thing in the morning.
Lions first thing in the morning. Pretty amazing.
I got on Expedition Everest ride alone and loved it. They have a new thing called "Single Rider Line" at some of the attractions. I was able to walk right onto several rides using this feature. Mike doesn't like rides, so I was solo on a lot of them.
After a day at Animal Kingdom we went back to the hotel and hung out at the pool. My parents picked Michael up at 4 to take him back to the campground for an evening of camping. He was so excited to make Smores!
Mike and I spent the evening at Epcot. We had a great dinner and enjoyed the Food and Wine Festival. I'm glad we didn't bring Michael, I don't think he would have enjoyed it. It's more for grown ups. I rode Mission Space and Test Track. I was able to talk Mike into Soarin, but he got motion sickness :)
Day 5: Thursday
Our last day :(
Our friends the Bendles were also in Orlando so we met up with them. Although the park seemed crowded we walked onto every ride or used a FastPass. Michael got to meet Peter Pan, Woody, and Jessie. He loved riding the Buzz Lightyear ride 8 more times! His favorite ride ended up being the Goofy Barnstormer, a mini coaster in Mickey's Toontown. We didn't end up on that until almost 5:00 so we only rode it twice. He's already talking about going on it again!
Our friend Kristin took this great picture of us!
Day 6: Friday
Our day to drive back home. Poo. We went to Downtown Disney and got some shopping done before heading home. Sammy and Emmett were thrilled to see us! I missed them so much!! I was glad to enjoy this trip with our special little guy though. It's the only time we'll get a trip like this alone with him.
We had a wonderful time and I cannot wait to go back! 2012, the countdown begins!
