Off to Neverland!!!!!!

This is going to be another long one!  We just returned  in April from the most amazing family trip ever.   Disney World!!!  It was a girls trip, plus Quinn of course.  Just me, my sister, our mom and the kids..Paige, Quinn and Dakota.  It is also noteworthy that Shyan and I were both in our 5th month of pregnancy!!  It was perfect and unforgettable.  As usual I took an obscene amount of pictures, over 700 in our 6 day trip, but it was worth it.  I just love looking back at pictures and I think the kids will love it too.  All of the photographs will help to preserve the Disney memories in their little minds and hearts.

We left on Thursday April 18th with a scheduled flight time of 5:30 PM.  Unfortunately, we had a snow storm that day.  Yep, in April with 9 inches of snow that all fell right over our drive to the airport which was already combined with the afternoon rush hour.  We missed our flight.  Thankfully we were able to get on the next flight out of Minneapolis which was scheduled to depart at 7:30...but was delayed until after 10:00 PM because of the snow.  Oh well, we were going on a vacation, to someplace warm!  We had quite a bit of time to hang out at the airport. I had initially thought that I wanted get there early to make sure we weren't rushing to catch the plane so the kids could enjoy the experience...I guess I got my wish, and then some!

This was Quinn's first flight and Paige's second.  However, the first time Paige flew was for our wedding when she was only two...so to her, this felt like her first flight too!  The kids were so excited to fly, even though it was close to midnight when we finally took off after de-icing the plane.  It only took a short while after we were in the air before they both fell asleep for the remainder of our 3 hour flight.

 

The rest of our commute went off without a hitch.  Even thought we were flying red-eye, the kids handled it pretty well.  So did we!  Maybe it was the adrenaline of our destination, I have a feeling if this same scenario happened on the way home we may have lost some enthusiasm. 

 

When we finally arrived at our hotel, The Animal Kingdom Lodge, it took a few minutes and gather all of our belongings from the bus.  I had to take this picture of the kids.  At this point it was about 5:00 in the morning, and they were so tired.  Curled over with their blankets, green deet-dee and yellow deet-dee respectively.

 

 

We made a mad dash to get checked in and into our room before the sunrise.  If that were to happen the kids may have never gone to sleep.  Luckily we were in our rooms with blackout curtains drawn and in bed by 6:00 AM.  We were all able to catch up on some much needed sleep and up just in time for lunch and swimming at the pool!!  We were ready to start our

vacation!!!

 

Day 1 - Our Hotel

 

After getting a few hours of sleep we were ready to go!  It was so fun to see the view out our window.  the animals were RIGHT there!  So cool!

 

 

We stopped at the patio on the way down to explore to sit in the giant rocking chairs and look at some more animals and take in the sun!

 

 

 

We went to check out the hotel and find a place to eat lunch.  This little kiddie pool was right next to our lunch table.  Talk about tempting, the kids couldn't wait to put on their swimsuits!

 

 

 

While we were waiting for our lunch I wanted a picture of the kids enjoying their first day.  I asked them to sit near each other and smile while I grabbed my camera.  When I looked back another little boy decided he wanted to be in the picture too and hopped right in. Paige didn't mind but Quinn did, you can see his uncertainty and irritation with the intruder.  I thought it was hilarious.

 

 

 

 

Shortly after we ate the kids were ready to swim.  Shyan and Dakota came down and the kids all swam for a bit in the kiddie pool together before moving to the big pool.

 

 

The kids were so excited to go into the big pool.  It had a zero depth entrance which was great for Quinn.  He is still a new swimmer so it really helped to make him feel comfortable in the water.  Of course having his big sister by his side made a really big difference too.

 

 

 

The resort had an afternoon of kid activities lined up including a hula-hoop contest, relay races, name that Disney tune and a dance party.

 

 

 

The first day was a success, it was a perfect day to rest and enjoy the pool before the next 3 days of Disney parks!

 

 

 

 

 

That night, and every other night they had a movie under the stars.  This particular day featured a Winnie the Pooh movie.  We had hot chocolate and popcorn while laying out on patio chairs under the stars.  Paige loved it, Quinn fell asleep immediately.  It was a busy day for a little boy!

 

 

Day 2 - Animal Kingdom

 

Once more we were in awe of the animals outside our room when we woke up and had to take pictures.

 

Just inside the gates of Animal Kingdom...
 

 

This was the "Tree of Life".  We never did make it up close even thought we hoped to.  The trunk was carved with all sorts of animals, it was really cool!  We tried to get a group picture but you know how that goes...2 out of 5 is good right?

 

 

We came across a Dinosaur ride as we were exploring the park and Quinn was so excited to go.  It was tough because he was too small for most of the rides we encountered and hard for him to understand why he couldn't go on them and Paige could.  This one he was SO close we were certain he would be able to go on.  We were wrong.  We made it into the ride, watched a short movie in the holding area and all through the line.  Just as we were about to get into our seats the lady working there told me he was too small and we needed to exit right away.  I was mad, and sad for Quinn.  He wanted to ride so badly and I didn't want to disappoint him again.  Paige and my Mom stayed on and continued.  Quinn and I exited and thankfully he was quickly distracted by the dinosaur themed gift shop at the end.  He seemed to get over the let down sooner that I did.  After Paige and my mom finished the ride they said it would have been too scary for him anyway so I guess it was a good thing...but still....

 

 

We spotted Goofy being escorted somewhere and Paige ran by to try to get a picture, normally you have to stand in line to get a picture with any of the Disney characters but we snapped one anyway.  You can see the worker trying to keep Paige at bay.

 

 

Next we hit Dinoland, it was a carnival type area in the park where the kids could play a few games.  The kids loved it!

 

 

 

Paige won at the basketball toss.  I totally thought she was trying to win at a game that was too difficult for her.  She got 3 balls and made 2 baskets.  Boy was I wrong!  As usual :)

 

 

 

Next it was the water shooting game, this time Quinn won with a little help from me!

 

They tried again at the Whack-A-Mole game with no luck...

 

A cute picture in the Dino-car. Quinn was all smiles until he realized that Paige was in there and pushed her out.

 

 

It was time to go and get some lunch, we were starving!  On the way Paige spotted this giant roller coaster and started working on Grandma to convince her to take her on. 

 

 

 

Back to the roller coaster, it was a tough sale...but she did it!!  See it there in the background, heading into the mountain?  It was called Expedition Everest and even had a Yeti inside!

 

 

Grandma said it was the scariest ride she had ever been on...Paige of course loved it...she has always been a thrill seeker.

 

 

While Grandma and Paige went on the roller coaster Shyan and I took the little kids to the Dinosaur Bone yard which despite it's name, was really a big safe play area.  We were hoping they could actually dig a little, oh well!  They still had a good time.

 

 

 

We walked through a jungle trail which had fish, gorillas and a few other exotic animals.  The kids loved it!

 

Next a Jungle Adventure ride !!

 

 

We rode in a boat and land vehicle and ventured through different habitats of all sorts of African animals.

 

Quinn's favorite, the Alligators!!!

 

They called this old tree an "upside down tree" because the roots are on the top!

 

Dakota was always so excited about everything she saw!

 

As we returned to the resort we were greeted by a parade of kids filing through the lobby with all sorts of African instruments.  They all settled in one area finally, sitting down and we learned about Africa and played music.  It was a fun way for the kids to end the day.  Paige, Quinn and Dakota were eager to join right in!

Back in the room were all exhausted.  We snuggled into one of our two rooms for some cartoons before bed and I got a rare chance to have all 3 babies curl up by me at once. 



Day 3 - Sea World

Another scenic animal picture on our way through the hotel!



Just as we got to Sea World we felt a few sprinkles.  The kids were excited and decided to lovingly share the stroller for about 3 minutes.



Right away we decided to catch the dolphin show followed right after by the Shamu show. It turned out to be a very smart decision!  We made it before the rain began!







Both shows were really good but the kids especially liked the Shamu show!!!  They were so big!







Right after the show we ran over to the ride area in hopes of hitting a few before the rain started.  We made it on the carousel...

Just after the carousel it started to sprinkle so I let the kids go into a gigantic roped play area, a climbing, multi story obstacle type thing.  It was huge and looked like a blast.  My mom and Shy headed over to the changing area with Dakota.  After about 15 minutes or so the rain was coming down really hard.  I noticed that the play area seemed to be quieter than it was earlier, less kids, less noise.  I started to look for my kids, wandering around the outside a bit looking for the flash of a familiar shirt to know I had spotted them.  I didn't see them but wasn't concerned.  This was a big structure and I was standing at the exit...or so I thought.  By some coincidence I pulled my phone out of my backpack to check the time and at that exact moment it rang.  And it was a call from Maryland, USA.  Weird was my first thought..I don't know anyone from Maryland.  My second thought was just to ignore it thinking it was probably a telemarketer.  But I decided to answer it...I guess it was something to do while I waited for my kids.  The voice on the other end was a man, a dad, and he explained he was at Sea World and was with my kids.  They were lost and said their mom told them to find a grown up and ask them to call her if they got lost. Paige had given him my name and phone number and he called.  Just as I told her a grown up would do if they needed help.  Thankfully, I hadn't gotten to the point myself that I was worried about them so I was able to calmly find out where they were.  Right on the other side of the wall I was standing by.  Apparently, when the rain became too heavy they evacuated the children from the structure at an alternate exit...that I wasn't aware of.  I found the dad and my kids.  Thanked him for helping them and keeping them safe until I found them.  And then I praised the heck outta my girl.  And then I realized....hmmm...I lost my kids at Sea World and didn't even know it...FAIL.  But Paige sure was proud of herself, as she should be, and made me tell the story to everyone!

 

This picture was taken right after.  Quinn was still scared.

 

 

From that point on it rained and rained and rained.  Luckily we came prepared!  I had picked up a few disposable ponchos at target before we left home.

 

 

Quinn wasn't thrilled about his accommodations.

 

 

 

 

The best part about the rain is that it pretty much cleared out the park.  It didn't chase us away though!  Our mom taught us to march on and we were already there, all the way across the country.  Why wouldn't we make the best of it???  Paige kept telling me that she was tired of being a trooper.  That is what my Mom always called my sister and I when she would drag us out running errands all day.  Keep going, be a trooper.

 

 

See, it was just us.  Well not really but this picture is pretty funny.

 

 

We were able to visit one last attraction before the park closed for the day, a great shark aquarium.  I wasn't able to get many pictures but the kids were in awe of the sharks not to mention how nice it was having the place to ourselves.

 

Back at the hotel that night Paige drew this picture in anticipation of meeting Mickey Mouse the next day.  She was very excited to give it to him.

 

 

Day 4- Magic Kingdom

By this point it became a morning routine to stop for photo opportunities in the hotel on our way out.  It was always dark when we returned so this was our best chance!



We actually got a nice picture of Grandma with all of the kids!



Quinn was ready for Magic Kingdom!  He even wore his Mickey hat.



Paige too!



 
We were all so excited to be there...FINALLY!!!!!

 

 

A pose with Goofy!

 

 

Paige was thrilled to get the chance to meet Mickey Mouse.  She even brought the pictures she made, he just loved them!!!  What a great memory for her.

 

 

Quinn was excited until he had to get up close.  Then he wasn't so sure about Mickey.

 

 

We were able to see the parade on Main Street USA!!  All of the characters were there!

 

 

A wild animal boat ride, all of the animals were animated but it was really a fun cruise.  Lots for the kids to see and the guide was full of jokes.

 

A Small World, a must see!!!!

 

 

 

Halfway through the line for the Dumbo ride you could detour into this big top tent to play.  Dakota and Quinn loved it.

 

The famous Flying Dumbo ride!!!!

 

 

After Dumbo we finally saw a roller coaster that Quinn could go on.  He was so excited, he had been waiting to go on one the entire trip.  It was so nice for Grandma to take him too.

 

Just look at how happy he was after :)  And proud.

 

The Little Mermaid Ride was really cute...

 

After the kids hopped up on a rock out front, just after I took this picture we were scolded by one of the employee's to get down.

 

My Mom got in a quick picture too before we all ran away.

 

We stayed until the very end to see the most spectacular display of fireworks ever!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our last day....

 

Nearly every morning Quinn got the same thing for breakfast.  A Mickey Mouse waffle and bacon.  It was really good, and I had to make sure I had a photo of just how cute it was!  Since it was our last breakfast in Florida, Grandma got one too.

 

 

As soon as breakfast was over the kids headed to the pool for a few hours before it was time to pack up and head to the airport.

 

Paige hammed it up a bit for the camera.

 

 

Quinn too!

 

 

Grandma was content in the shade...

 

 

 

 

 

One last picture before we go....

 

The flight back home went very smoothly.  By the time we got on the plane Quinn had fallen asleep but I knew I had to wake him so he could experience the take off!!  I was happy I did, he loved it.  The kids were happy the whole flight home, what a difference it made flying during the day!

Paige and her Pluto, she chose him as her souvenir along with her Disney  t-shirt.

 

 

We had a great seat which actually allowed us to have two windows.  It couldn't have worked out better for two little kids anxious to look out during take off!! 

 

~The End~