Day Two ~ Animal Kingdom ~ We Are Wiser

We started out this day with so much more knowledge.  We had on different t-shirts (although, I still think they were all digging it eventually), sweatshirts/jackets, wetwipes, granola bars, and an understanding of the Fast Pass system.  We were ready to explore the Animal Kingdom!

There's the Tree of Life straight ahead.  It was so pretty!  Well done, Disney.  Well done.

We began by taking our Wildneress Explorer Pledge:

"I, ___________, PLEDGE:

THAT I WILL UPHOLD THE WILDERNESS EXPLORERS MOTTO:

"A Wilderness Explorer is a friend to all, 

be it plants or fish or tiny mole."

Then all four us learned the wilderness explorer call.  We were proud.  

Sam took it very seriously.  Here he is studying the handbook before we saw "It's Tough to be a Bug!" (which was GREAT!)  Love the 3-D glasses.  Makes him look very smart.

After the Bug show we got our Fast Pass all scheduled.  

We had a little bit of time, so we went exploring the animals in the Southeast Asian self-guided tour of Maharajah Jungle Trek.  Sam's day was made when he saw a hippo.

The Kilimanjaro Safari did NOT disappoint.  It was AMAZING!  Our guide was funny, but so knowledgeable.  Makes me really want to go on a real safari now.

We left Africa and headed back to Asia to brave the Expedition Everest.  Sam was very nervous, but the fact that it was a Fast Pass, walk-right-up-and-get-on-the-ride situation made it much less anxiety inducing for him.  

This is a very forced smile from the smaller Darwin.  He was trying to not scream and run away.  Bless his heart.

And the verdict?

Wait for it, wait for it....

HE LOVED IT!!!!!

We rode it a total of FOUR times before the day was over.

Had to capture some of that Disney Magic.  *sigh*

Next up was DINOSAUR.  The ride was rough, but in a good way.  We all really enjoyed it.  HOWEVER, the real entertainment came when we saw the picture they took on the ride.

Ray is "shhhh-ing" the dinosaur.  Stacy is hanging on.  Miranda is very concerned.  And Sam is.....wait....where's Sam?!?

One of the other Everest rides....this smile is real.

Sadly, on the fourth ride, Mommy's neck got hurt a little and Daddy was feeling "all those Gs".  He was carsick and I no longer had a full range of motion on my left side.  

We wisely called this a short day, went back to the hotel and had an early dinner and pool time.

We are also taking tomorrow off.  Maybe just going to Downtown Disney for a little shopping and then more pool time.  Tomorrow it's Hollywood Studios and Epcot on Thursday.

Stay tuned!!!!

The Amazing Disappearing Powers of My Brother

This is Miranda...and I would like to explain the incredible disappearing powers of my brother.   I know it sounds crazy, but it's true!  One second he is there, then...BAM! He is gone!  I discovered his special ability the moment we set foot on the cool ride "Dinosaur."  We had started the ride and had just approached the camera that would take our picture in the midst of an attacking dinosaur!  I look over to his reaction...but he wasn't there!  What happened?  Was he left behind?  Did he fly off into space?  Well, I just found out how it is possible to disappear any where.  I found the secret just now.  Tuck your head in between your legs and hope for the best!    

Sam's side of the story:

Well, this is Sam and I would like to say the beginning of the ride was not very scary. But when you get to where big monsters are in your face you only have one choice: tuck your head between your legs and wait for the ride to end. 

Day One ~ Magic Kingdom ~ Ready to Drink the Koolaid

We got to the park as it was opening around 9:00. We were all happily dressed in our matching Mickey tshirt a until we pulled in the parking lot. Then there were regrets. Mostly by the preteen. Haha!  Took her a while to stop using her backpack to hide her obvious attachment to the rest of her dorky family, but she finally loosened up. As Ray said, "Don't be embarrassed, everyone here is embarrassed for us."

Oh, and we were freezing. 

We rode the boat across and entered the Magic Kingdom. 

We headed to Tomorroland and got our Fast Pass figured out. Shout out to Cast Member Joshua from Puerto Rico for helping the newbies. 

Then we rode a really fun Buzz Lightyear target shooting ride. Mommy dominated. 

Then we were off to Space Mountain. Nervous Ned was scared, but brave. He persevered and had a BLAST. LOVED IT! Are finally over the hump?  Is he ready to join the rest of his thrill ride loving family? Time will tell. 

Always fun to let our kids drive cars when they can. Although with Miranda getting older, it's starting to feel a little more real. 

Ray was a sport and rode the teacups. On an empty stomach.  Poor guy. 

We had to get some food in Ray, so an early lunch here was perfect. Shrimp, chicken, fries. 

Miranda and I were so excited about the Haunted Mansion. It did not disappoint. 

We had a little time after the Haunted Mansion, so we let the kids go back to do some shopping on Main Street.  Oh, yeah...we totally planned to see this parade (lucky).

Miranda bought a super cute Minnie watch...everyone should have one of these at some point in their lives.  It's American.

We scooted by Starbucks and got some liquid energy.  Then we had to consume before being allowed in the Hall of Presidents.  Love taking photos of my kids in stockades.  

Oh look! Another show!  With princesses!

Finally ready to see the presidents!

They were so lifelike!!!!  I was convinced they were real actors.  I'm still not sure what I believe.  

Sam was so excited to do some shopping before the Pirates of the Caribbean.  He FINALLY got the sword he had been wanting his whole life!!!!  He had to carry it around the rest of the night.  Even as I type this 2 days later, he's got it in bed with him watching cartoons on our "off" day.

Dinner was yummy at Pacos Bill's Tall Tale Inn and Cafe.

The kids spent a good 5 minutes trying to figure out how these things worked?  Miranda wonders how read texts on them?  Sam wants to know what the cord is all about.  Very entertaining for the parents.

We rode Space Mountain again (even better the second time), then stopped off at Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor for some comedic entertainment.  Of course, Sam ends up being interviewed during the show and is part of the final joke.  

After a very long day, we made our way over to Frontierland and got front row seats for the Main Street Elecectrical Parade.  We looked down and saw Miranda waving at the princesses.  Ray leaned over and said, "We got them here just in time."  I agree, Ray, I agree.  Magical.

The fireworks show at the end was amazing.  We were super impressed by the intense projection show on the castle.  It's hard to eplain, but the castle was painted, turned different colors, characters were projected on it....it was AMAZING.

So, yeah....I came into this with doubts, but after my first day of my first Disney experience....I'm totally bought in.  Loved it!

Wait...We're Not Going to Great Wolf Lodge????

And....We're OFF!!!

It's been a while since I posted here...only about 4.5 years.  What can I say?  This little thing called Facebook came along and made this outlet kind of obsolete.  That being said, we will be using this forum as a way of journaling our vacation in real time for our few dedicated readers without putting all the deets on Facebook (safety first!!).

So, it begins!

Saturday, March 29, 2014 (leaving in rain, but our spirits are high!)

8:00 Almost out the door.  Have to run softball gear to the assistant coach so practice can happen while we are away.  Kids are excited to go to "Myrtle Beach".  They have NO CLUE what's ahead!

10:00 About 15 minutes to Fayetteville.  Sam has finished up his favorite Curious George movie that he only watches on the road (special DVD bag).  I can remember him as a toddler belly-laughing to George's antics.  He has now switched to the Kindle.  Time to Minecraft.  Miranda found her Backyardagains CD (the BEST GIFT EVER from her 6-year-old party).  She's very proud that she can still sing every word on the soundtrack.  

11:04  South of the Border!  We've never stopped here, but the banos were a'calling.  

Here's a reenactment of their reaction when we told them this was ACTUALLY where we were vacationing:

12:30 Cracker Barrel lunch stop.  Our guilty pleasure when traveling.  Don't judge.

(Miranda trying to figure out how to turn the "light" on.  Haha!)

(I've considered buying this game, but I'm afraid the magic wouldn't work unless you are sitting at the CB waiting for food.)

The original plan was to give them their little backpacks with stuffed animals and Micky t-shirts in the restaraunt, but it was busy and loud.  We decided to do it on the front porch in the rocking chairs.  I told them I had forgotten to give them Spring Break gifts, and ran out to the van to get them.  The video says it all, but I had totally predicted that Sam would NOT be impressed or excited at first.  He has some amusement park anxiety since he always has to be drug around with his thrillseeking family at Carrowinds and Busch Gardens.  Once we mentioned Star Wars, he was moderately bought in.  Miranda was primarily upset with herself because she hadn't figured it out already.  She was gobsmacked....her words.

Now they are in the back studying Disney tour books and book of Disney World secrets that we bought/checked out from the library.  Let the fun begin!!!

5:15

Just got passed by the Wienermoble in Jacksonville, FL.  AWESOME!!!!

7:30 Arrived at our hotel. Off to Downton Disney for dinner at Wolfgang Puck Express. Walked around until 10:45. Too tired for complete sentences.