Day 4: Epcot

EPCOT!!!!  Our favorite!

Rob and I LOVE Epcot...and we really hoped our kids did too...and they did!!!

You know how sometimes everything just comes together perfectly??? Well, this was one of those days.

We got to Epcot about a half an hour before the park opened thanks to the bus being waiting for us and empty...and when we got there, they  started this show and were like "Surprise, we are opening early!"  We were so excited.  For the first 30 minutes, we almost had the park to ourselves!!!

We headed in and went right to Test Track because it was on Rob's list for the day.  Abigail was tall enough for it, and it made me nervous because it seemed too fast, but Rob took her on it....and I'm so glad.  She LOVED it and went on it 3 times in a row...and then once again later in the day!

Caitlin and I hung out in the interactive water fountains while they rode the ride.  It was really a fun start to the day!

Abigail's favorite ride!

She even talked mommy into going on the ride.  I believe her quote at the end was "Mommy was scared and yelling!"  It was really fun!!!!

Rob went into Soaring to get a Fast Pass while we hung outside.  While we were sitting, the monorail went by a the perfect time and we got a great picture!!! 

We hung out in the Nemo area because there was tons to do there.

Shark Bait!

Caitlin and I hung out a little more while they went on Soaring (I knew I couldn't do that one..and even Rob said I would have been sick)...and the family went on that boring boat ride where you learn about crops. 

Then, we decided it was time to hit the different countries.  This was the one part of the trip that was more for the mommy and daddy than the kids...but the kids had a great time too.  Rob and I love all the countries so much and could have hung out there all day.  We also had to try the local drinks throughout the countries..which made it even more fun.  Rob's favorite is always a beer and brat in Germany.  My favorite was a margarita in Mexico.  We also hit up England and Japan for more drinks!  :)  Epcot is fun!

We met Snow White in Germany.  Caitlin was wearing her Snow White shirt so we tried really hard to get her in a picture.  She gave Snow White a high five...and still shows me her hand if I say "Snow White" two weeks later...so cute!

We found an open area and had picnic for lunch.  Rob and had brats in Germany and sushi in Japan..and the girls ate from America!  ;)

Love this Picture.  I am waiting with Abigail to meet Alice in Wonderland in England...and Rob found a Pub!!!!  Everyone wins!

Alice.  She was so funny!

The following pictures may be the highlight of my trip.  After drinks in Germany, Mexico, and Englang, Rob got pulled up into a show. He was GREAT!  He really got into his role and had the whole crowd laughing.  I have videos!  :)

Rob and his actors

After some more food, we headed back to find more for the kids.  They did this fun interactive game where they tried to save money for college! 

Caitlin was the piggy bank carrier

The girls

We then headed to the Nemo ride before dinner at the Coral Reef.  What a cute show.  This was definitely one of Caitlin's favorite.  She got soooo excited everytime she saw Nemo..and he's there A LOT!

We had a fun dinner at the Coral Reef.  There is a large aquarium in the restaurant, and there was a group of scuba divers swimming during our dinner so it was really fun!

After dinner we did the Figment of your Imagination ride...still one of my favorites!!!!

Then we went souvie shopping.  This may or may not (MAY) have lead to Caitlin's 1 and only meltdown of the trip (which wasn't bad because anyone who's been to Disney knows meltdowns are a common sight), so we did 1 or two more rides, then headed home. 

We had two tired girls... 

with sweet dreams of another magical day!

Day 3: Animal Kingdom and Swimming

On Wednesday, we headed to Animal Kingdom.  Rob and I were so excited about going here.  Neither of us had been there before and we heard great things. 

I have to be honest, we were pretty disappointed with Animal Kingdom.  I guess we just had never been there and didn't know what to expect.  It seemed really crowded there...I think it's because there isn't a lot to "do" there so everyone is just walking around.  The rapids which was the main thing we wanted to do was closed...bummer. We still had a great time cause we were in Disney, but we probably won't go back to Animal Kingdom, or we'll only do it for a half day next time.

We went on the dinosaur ride LOTS cause it was the only ride for the kids to do:

The safari was really awesome!  There were tons of animals out there and it was so cool to be so close to them.  (We forgot to take pictures...I guess we were busy watching or keeping our kids in the tram).  The kids also played in this really fun dinosaur area that had tons of slides, etc that was really fun.  And we saw the Nemo musical.  It was an actual musical (as opposed to ones with characters) with people singing.  I loved watching how they did all the effect.  The kids liked it, but it was really LONG for a kid's show and by the end, all the kids were DONE.  I spent the final 20 minutes trying to keep the kids quiet.  Again, fun but much more for older kids.

Our favorite part of the day was our lunch.  We ate at Tusker House and it was great.  The Curry Chicken was amazing...I think we each had 3 helpings.  The food was from Africa and it was great!  It was a buffet so Rob and I got to try a lot of new food.  And of course, the characters made the meal so fun (for most).

Donald is waiting for you when you get there.  At this point, both the kids were not so sure... 

and Rob and I really regretted our choice for lunch!  :)

However, never underestimage the power of "bribe" (Come on...all parents do it). We knew Abigail would love the characters once she she got close to one..and we knew it would make her trip...so we may or may not have promised her any stuffed animal of her choice if she gave one character a hug.

Goofy came first.  Caitlin SCREAMED.  But low and behold... 

Abigail LOVED Goofy.  And never looked back!!!!  She was so proud of herself!

She loved everyoen so much that we actually had to wait about 15 minutes after we finished our dinner for Daisy to come back, but Abigail insisted.  I was not into characters and didn't think I'd care...but both Rob and I saw how excited she was and we were "those parents" asking where Daisy was.

And this is how our Caitlin bug ate her meal.  She couldn't focus on eating because she had to keep her eyes peeled for the next attack!!!!!   I felt bad...but loved the cuddles...and she really mastered her scream.

And after our meal was over, Abigial requested another meeting with Donald.  Much different this time...

We LOVED Tusker House and are so happy we ate there.  It was the highlight of our day for sure!

We headed back for naps and swimming.  The girls were so excited to swim.  However, clouds rolled in during nap (it was our hottest day of the week) so the swimming was a little cool.  But we promised they could swim!

That night, we were planning on headed to Boardwalk for dinner.  However, Abigail had been sick all week (she had a fever the day before and today) and we were all tired.  So we decided to just hang out at our resort and freshen up for the rest of the week.  Our resort had a ton going on.  There was a movie playing on a big screen by the pool.  We went to the arcade and played some games.  We ate at the resort which was actually really great.  I'm glad we took advantage of all our resort had to offer.  I think it's well worth it to stay on property because even hanging out at your resort is a Disney experience.

Next up:  Epcot :)

Disney Day 2: Magic Kingdom and Princess Dinner

Side note:  A commercial for Disney World just came on and I got a little teary-eyed.  I LOVED this trip so much and can't wait to go back!!!!

Day 2 was such a great day!  We were up and out early so we could be at Magic Kingdom when it opened! And I'm so happy we did!  A train (choo choo to Caitlin) pulls up to the front with all the characters who sing and dance, shoot off fireworks (why not??) and open the doors.  The excitement is INSANE!!!

We made it!!!!!  Magic Kingdom!

My 2 Minnies

I love the sign beneath the charachters...Let the Memories Begin!  So true!!!!

Our first sighting of the castle.  Abigail was in awe as we got closer and closer and it got bigger and bigger!

We did take some pictures in front, but they are on my photopass.  Photopass is a card you get and give it to the professional photographers all over the parks.  Then, when you get home, you have all the pictures on 1 place.  I think we had 100 pictures on ours.  But we quickly learned that they will take the pictures with your own camera too!

Our first ride was Winnie the Pooh.  And our second.  And our third....it was fun!!!! 

We also hit the race cars.  I laugh now just thinking of how hard the girls laughed on this ride.  The cars go "crazy" if you don't control them..I'm talking whip-lash crazy...and of course the girls are so little, the cars went nuts.  We figured we may have to change a diaper on Caitlin after all the laughing!  ;)

We'll be back!!!!!

Sometime this morning, we learned what it meant to "meet a princess".  So fun!  I sort of figured the girls wouldn't be too into it so we'd meet one or two.  But I was wrong.  They LOVED it.  Abigail really really loved it!  Caitlin LOVED Rapunzel...so we were happy!

One thing Rob and I were surprised with was how long they spent with each family.  I thought we'd be rushed in and out after an hour wait....but they didn't.  They really talked to each kid and made them feel so special!

Running to Rapunzel

HUGS

Again, the photographer took ones with his camera, so we have to go look at them too!

After Rapunzel, the girls were hooked!  So next we ran into Ariel..and waited again!

I had brought pipe cleaners for the girls to play with in line.  I got that tip and it was great cause kids could play with them forever.  So while we waited for Ariel (probably 30 minutes...characters have LONG lines, and this was off season) the girls played with pipe cleaners.  Apparently, princesses like pipe cleaners too!  :)

Caitlin freaked out with Prince Eric (and every character after...Thanks Eric)...but he was great.  He actually moved on the other side of Ariel so Caitlin wasn't afraid!

Ariel made a heart with a pipe cleaner.  Then Eric made a fish.  Then, you bet right, the girls fought over who got the heart!  :)

Caitlin's "cheese....but with eyes on Eric!  Abigail was just in awe of every prince and princess!

We hit a choo choo for Caitlin!

Daddy's girl

And then we decided to head back for nap.... 

one tired baby!  No one said Disney World would be easy!

After naps at the hotel, we got ready for our dinner with the princesses.  We couldn't get into the castle dinner, but we went to Cinderella's dinner at 1900 Park Fare in the Grand Floridian. It was really fun to see the different resorts...and take the boat there!

Heading to dinner!!!!

And I know I have a lot of pics, but I have to show these from the Cinderella dinner.  The characters were hilarious and had us laughing the whole time.  Also, if you heard screaming here in Chicago, that was Caitlin all the way from Orlando!  So here are pics...of Abigail!  ;)

Cindy

Step Mom..she stayed in this character for hours!  :)

Step Sister

Our favorite!!!!  So funny!!!!!!

After dinner, we headed back to Magic Kingdom for a few more rides and more princesses!!!!

Caitlin waiting while mommy makes a pit stop for Tylenol (poor Abigail had a fever half of the trip).  For those heading to Disney, there are Child Care Centers at each park.  There you can warm up bottles, change and feed babies, and buy supplies!!!  Tylenol...Check!

Let's Go!!!!!

We had to make a stop to find Mickey ears.  It was on my "Must Do" List!  We got to the ears store...and as you might imagine, they don't just sell one set of ears.  They sell hundreds!  Caitlin wanted to basic Mickey Ears, which made us so excited!!!!  Abigail, on the other hand, wanted the pink ears with the tiara and veil.  It really made Rob and I cringe, but hey, it's her day!!!

Oh yeah, one side note...there was A LOT closed at Disney because it was off season.  But they really try to make up by doing "Magical Moments".  You never know when one might happen to you.  We were checking out with the girls' ears and the girls got their names embroidered for free...Magical Moment.

After getting our hats, we were off to meet more princesses.  This time, we had a fast pass and walked right up to the front!

Belle

Aurora x 2

Daddy got himself a giant sucker...and then "Magical Moment"...the girls got ones for free! 

Daddy ate...A LOT...on the trip.  Cotton Candy, Candy, Suckers...you name it, he ate it!

A few more rides...

People Mover-Caitlin yelled "Whee" the whole time

Waiting for Daddy on Space Mountain

We watched fireworks.  There was no Electrical Parade (bummer) but the fireworks were so magical.  Abigail was so excited as Tinkerbell flew right over our heads!

A great day at Disney...

dreaming of princesses!!!!

Up Next:  Day 3-Animal Kingdom