Walt Disney World 2014

We did it! 

Jeremy and I took the kiddies to Walt Disney World back in May, and this is me rested, recovered, and living to tell about it.  Let's face it - I had my doubts. 

 

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Brace yourselves for an onslaught of photos.

 

This trip was akin to having a baby.  You want to do it so badly, but thinking about what you're really in for brings about pangs of dread.  Once it's booked, there is no turning back.  While you are there, there are real painful moments (i.e. line management with a 2, 4 and 5 year old) that are quickly eclipsed by the overwhelming thrill of it all.  You come home exhausted, but after enough time passes, you forget and find yourself wanting to do it all over again. 

 

I might have predicted that Miles' favorite park would be Animal Kingdom.  I've heard some people ho-hum this park as being just another zoo.  But a zoo is never. EVER. just a zoo to Miles.  And AK has roller coasters too.  So this was pretty much heaven on earth for Miles.

 

 

Lakey's first encounter with a Disney character.  She was unimpressed and absolutely NOT taking her eye off Minnie for one second.

 

Animal Kingdom has a super awesome roller coaster called Expedition Everest that the boys talked about for days.

 

 

We spent two days at the Magic Kingdom, and this is by far the most remarkable, magical place on the planet.  In an engineered sort of way.  I'm sorry to be so dramatic about it, but there is no other way.  MK is so amazing, and every memory I have as a kid going to WDW comes from this park.  I beefed up our Disney DVD collection a couple of months before the trip and then forced the kids to watch a different one every weekend so that they could appreciate all the goodness they would behold at the Magic Kingdom.  I think it was a good move on my part.  Fist bump to myself.  Blow it up.

 

Side note: I wonder why The Sword in the Stone doesn't get any street cred at WDW?  It's one of my very faves.  Anyone with me?

 

 

We started everyone off slow with rides like Dumbo, Little Mermaid, and Peter Pan. 

 

 

 Then we high tailed it over to Tomorrowland and put the boys on Space Mountain.  Suckas! 

 

 

Who doesn't love Space Mountain?  Well apparently Knox, as evident from the tear stained cheeks and eyes as he exited the ride.  He was not happy.  And with that, I vowed to nominate myself for Mother of the Year another day.  Luckily, Miles loved it and was up for an encore round which meant I was able to ride it too.

 

 

The kids got their faces painted. 

 

I love how Miles carefully selected a superhero design that left plenty of room for his glasses. 

 

 

True to form, Knox went with something a little more dramatic.  Galactic Tiger I think this was called.

 

 

Of all the glittery fairy and princess options, Lakey was dead set on getting fixed up like her worst enemy - a dog.  A superhero dog.  Just whatever.  I had them sprinkle on some glitter anyway for good measure.

 

Character dining is probably the best way to experience and interact with all the different characters without forging the long lines elsewhere in the parks.  Here were some of our favorite friends.

Please note the absence of Miles with Sophia the 1st.  He was not into the princesses AT ALL.  Here is additional evidence.

See?  Wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole.

Knox was more than happy to represent with the ladies, however.

What can I say?  I drink the Mouse punch too.

Belle is my favorite because she reminds me of me.  Just kidding about that last part.  We actually had to coerce Miles into this photo, but I think his face reveals the truth.

Next up was Epcot.  Jeremy and I really liked this park but there weren't as many rides for younger kiddos.  We managed to make a full day of it though.

We saw some great flowers and sculptures.

 

And guess who we found?  That would be the Figment of your Imagination.  I have no idea why, but I had a stuffed Figment as a kid and I think he's still loveable.  Knox did too and tried to snatch up all these wares from the gift shop after the ride.

 

The last park we went to was Hollywood Studios.  I would definitely say that this park is geared for adults and kids older than ours.  But it does boast one ride that was the entire reason we were there - Toy Story Mania.  Jeremy said this was his favorite ride of all the parks, and if we go back he just wants to ride it over and over and over again.

This is also the place to be if you're a Star Wars fan, which I am thanks to growing up with a sci-fi loving older brother and two equally enthusiastic parents.  Sadly enough, the rest of my crew doesn't have the same respect for the glory of the Jedi, but there was this glimmer of hope.

Lakey was totally digging all things galactic.  Such a good young Padawan.

Nonetheless, we only spent a half day at Hollywood and then hopped back over to the Magic Kingdom to finish up our Disney experience. 



See ya real soon Disney!