On the second week of May, we took a vacation which is best summed up by your paraphrase of a statement mommy made: “Five parks in five days? That’s just nuts.”
But go nutty we did with another Disney vacation. Last year we weren’t sure if you got it all, but a year’s worth of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse pretty much whetted your appetite for whatever the Magic Kingdom had to throw your way.
We began on a Friday, flying to Orlando via Atlanta. As usual, you were pretty great on the plane, but layovers always make you a bit cranky. We brought your drawing pad and soon you were reminding us that “Disney Jr. It’s where the magic begins…”. Even though we got to the resort late (this year we did Coronado Springs), you were excited and remembered “Gus the safe bus driver” videos more than you did the cartoons.
Our first day was an early one, but not a long one. We went to Disney Hollywood Studios. And we were worried, because the previous evening you’d had a meltdown when you were told you couldn’t ride the Tower of Terror with Mommy. (You had a hard time understanding that some rides are just too intense for little guys). However, upon entering the park we saw Donald and Daisy and things were much better.
We took it fairly slow, you and Daddy relaxing and having a snack while mommy went to ride the Tower (and the Aerosmith Rocking Rollercoaster). In fact, you and Daddy snuck off to ride Midway Mania in the Pixar area, so you still had fun. Soon we were reunited and relaxed on the Great Movie Ride (though we realize you had NO reference to what you were seeing).
After that, it was the best thing of the day; the Disney Junior variety show, where you got to see Mickey and the gang, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Sophia the First and Doc McStuffins. The show was great and it was cool inside, which was a welcome relief from the 90+ degree heat.
You got a picture with Jake, had some fun lunch and were bored to bad behavior at the car stunt show. But your attention was refocused after you saw the “real” Lightning McQueen. It was a hot day so we left before it got too bad we went back to swim at the “Dig Site” pool, which was huge but very crowded.
The next day was a big one. You were inducted into the Pirate League! Daddy dressed as a pirate and you both started the day on the Magic Carpets (like last year) but THIS year, Pirates of the Caribbean was running. SO we snuck in quick to ride before you were a pirate and then just after you had your pirate gear on. It was very hot, so we tried to get into as many cool rides as we could. Since we were coming back a second day (the last of the vacation), we decided to focus on Fantasyland and Adventureland.
We even took Mommy to Beast’s Castle to eat at the Be Our Guest restaurant for lunch (it was Mother’s Day after all). She got a tiny cupcake and it was a welcome break from the heat.
As the day wore on, your pirate “beard” ended up smeared across your cheeks, eyebrows and even your forehead. But nothing would stop us! Goofy’s Barnstormer, Thunder Mountain Railroad and the new Seven Dwarves Mine Train were all available to ride since you were 40 inches tall! You seemed hesitant at each rollercoaster, mildly terrified while on them, but thrilled at the end of each one, describing the excitement you felt at each ride. And we also got to do some standards too, like Haunted Mansion, Dumbo and It’s A Small World.
We also watched the Philharmagic show to your delight. You’ve really got a thing for 3d cinema. Our day ended in Frontierland, eating at the Columbia Restaurant (in the pirate corner, no less).
Our third day started well enough. You got your always necessary Mickey waffles.
And this was Animal Kingdom Day. When we got there, because you couldn’t scan your magicband multiple times you had a bit of a fit. It was hard to get your attention until we went to Kilimanjaro. You weren’t allowed to ride the Expedition Everest, but the yeti images and colorful flags seemed to distract you well enough. And we finally got you interested in the Wilderness Explorer badges that were all over the park.
Animal Kingdom was full of really great things to see and do. We played around in a dinosaur carnival, saw a really crazy dinosaur gas station and we rode a scary dinosaur ride that took us back in time.
Later, we went to a conservation center where you finally saw Chip and Dale up close. We also went on safari to see REAL animals, watched a 3D show about bugs (which scared you just a little bit), and got to see butterflies EVERYWHERE. You even got to KISS Minnie Mouse which was quite the highlight.
Our dinner later that night at Tusker House was awesome. We got to eat some amazing African inspired food and you saw all your favorite pals. Mickey, Goofy, Donald and Daisy were all there dressed in safari gear.
Because the park closed early, we took a round about bus ride to end up in Downtown Disney. You got to play with Legos, see the volcano at the Rainforest Cafe and we took a little snack break at Raglan Road. Another successful day and you even got to sleep with your Captain Mickey and Duffy Bear (which you picked out).
By the fourth day we were park veterans. We’d also been to Epcot before, so we decided to make it a day with a sleep break back at the resort. Our morning was filled with the usual rides; Project Tomorrow, Living with the Land and of course, a visit with Crush (we did that twice and he was very funny both times). We also road Soarin’ this year, which was probably more scary for Daddy than for you.
We also got to visit Figment in his Imagination Labs, but that was NOTHING compared to your double visit to the Butterfly House. Since the Garden Show was at Epcot, they had the butterfly house as a special attraction and you couldn’t get enough of it.
After a nap at the hotel, we returned later in the day to ride the Nemo ride and then go to the Coral Reef for dinner (not a good experience this year, unfortunately). Because it was late we had to hurry to see England, France and finally Mexico before the fireworks show. In England you got to see Pooh and Tigger again. In France you got to eat some really delicious ice cream. And then we rushed off to catch the Mexico ride so we could see our friends, The Three Caballeros.
We finished the night with fireworks and off to plan our last park visit.
Our final day started with just you and Daddy going to the Magic Kingdom. You rode the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, saw the dance parade, listened to the birds in the Tiki Room and rode It’s A Small World (second time) before mommy even got there.
We had an amazing and fun lunch at the Plaza Restaurant. You got a light up Pirate’s skull and an upside down ice cream for dessert. We spent most of the day in Tomorrowland with Buzz Lightyear, relaxing TWICE on the People Mover and laughing with Mike Wazowski.
New things for you this year were the Country Bear Jamboree, driving a car on the Tomorrowland Speedway, and a crazy spin on the Mad Tea Party (which we did late).
Daddy also had to make just ONE last ride on Pirates of the Caribbean for old time’s sake. Which took us back by the Pirate’s League.
You playing in the Storybook Circus area, drenched to the bone by a cavalcade of waterspouting circus animals. And then after you relaxed with Mommy in Pete’s big tent. We ended our time there with a last ride on Goofy’s Barnstormer.
Since we’d had such good fortune with the Columbia Restaurant before, we ate there a second time. Finally, we rushed off to ride Ariel’s ride before we missed the Parade of Lights.
You were hanging on by a thread, but just couldn’t keep up. Five minutes before the big fireworks finale, you dropped off to sleep. Fortunately, you have Daddy and the internet to keep all the memories for you.
We had a great trip home and you even got a repeat dinner from last year. Veggie burger from Burger King.
It was truly, magical.
It's Campbell Time! 