Disney World Update

Many of you have been asking about our recent trip to Florida and I've been promising pictures on the blog. I'm finally getting to it! Here is the scoop on Disney World!

We arrived in Orlando early Wednesday afternoon. The girls were ah.may.zing on the airplane. I was nervous about flying with them: tantrums, boo-boos, eardrums, etc. We prepped Georgia as much as we could about it: being up high in the air, it might be loud, we'd have to chew gum, talk quietly and obey the lady who tells us to put on our seat belts. They both did really well and Georgia didn't even freak out when we landed, which is totally what I anticipated. Of course we had our moments (I overheard someone say they would never want to fly with children), but all in all I think we traveled well.

We were transported by Disney's Magical Express to our resort. It was so nice not to have to rent a car or drive in Orlando. This was also the first time the girls slept (about 2:30 pm) since we woke them up at 4:00 am. We checked in to our room and were able to purchase our tickets to the Magic Kingdom right at the hotel. Andy had to check-in to his conference so the girls and I relaxed and watched Mickey Mouse until he joined us for supper. He had another meeting afterwards until about 9:00. Since the girls and I had rested, everyone was charged up at normal bedtime, so we loaded up onto a bus (free from any Disney resort) and went to Downtown Disney. After getting some ice cream and seeing a few sights, Georgia finally conked out at about 10:00 pm. She'd been up for 18 hours with only a half hour nap!

The next day Andy had sessions until noon when he joined us for lunch. We had purchased conference rate tickets to the Magic Kingdom and could enter the park at 2:00 pm. We took the bus and were allowed to enter at 1:50. There was really only one thing on our agenda...see Cinderella. We wanted to find out right away where she was. I would not consider the trip successful unless we had a meet n' greet with the lovely princess. So thanks to my wonderful husband who is NOT afraid to ask for directions, we found out immediately where she was and got in line.

Ok...those of you who know Georgia know she knows and loves all the Disney princesses. Especially Cinderella. So when we got in line to see Sleeping Beauty, Belle and Cinderella, her mouth was gaping open. The look of awe on her face when she saw the princesses in their beautiful dresses was priceless! She did amazingly well talking to and hugging all of them (thank the Lord she didn't get scared and cry! I could see it going that way, too...), but throughout her talks with SB and Belle, she kept her eyes on Cinderella, knowing her turn was coming up. And when it did, she took off! She ran right into her arms and hugged her and talked to her and even got a lipstick kiss from her. Those princesses were spectacular. We spent at least 5 minutes with each of them and they were right down on Georgia's level, totally engaging her. When at last our time was up, we walked out and I just started crying. Yep, I'm that mom. I just felt like I had witnessed something so magical, something that Georgia's little heart found complete joy in and it was so sweet and so wonderful, I just couldn't stop the tears.







We then parked outside on the main street for a parade full of fun Disney characters. This was where we were able to see some of the other princesses, though from a distance. Unfortunately we didn't get a chance to meet one on one with anyone else. We saw Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Ariel, Tiana, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine and lots of others, too.

We then made a trip through the Swiss Family Robinson treehouse where Lola finally fell asleep...and hard. She was so heavy to carry, so I sat out the next ride which was a ride on a flying carpet (think Dumbo ride).

Then we boarded a safari boat and went on a safari cruise.

After a bite to eat, we went to the Country Bear Jamboree. This was the highlight for Lola and probably for the people sitting around us. They were animatronic bears that talked and sang mountain music. Lola loved it. I mean l.o.v.e.d it. She yelled through the whole thing! She doesn't yell when she's scared or mad, but when she's happy. People around us were cracking up at how excited she was. I tried to get a little video of it.

Then we went on the It's a Small World ride (again, Lola yelled through the whole thing), a Peter Pan flying ride, a 3D Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck movie to which Georgia replied, "I can't like this, Mom," and a ride on the carousel, which they both thoroughly enjoyed.

We watched the fireworks show, went on the Winnie the Pooh ride and then a quick stop at a Disney store for a few small souvenirs. That was the end of our magical day at the Magic Kingdom.

The next day we took it easy and slept in. Andy had the middle of the day off so after lunch we walked to the pool. There was almost no one there. We played in the kids area for awhile, then found out that the pool was in fact heated to 85 degrees! Andy and Georgia went for a swim and Lola and I soaked up some sun. That evening we went back to the pool because they were showing the Disney movie Tangled in the open air. We sat on pool chairs and cuddled under pool towels.

Saturday was travel again. Andy was gone in the morning, but after checkout, we hopped the bus one final time for a trip to Downtown Disney for a quick lunch at the Rainforest Cafe and one more indulgent sundae at the Ghiradelli ice cream shop.

Then we flew home! What a fun, spur-of the-moment trip. It was such a wonderful gift to be able to go. We were happy to be back home in our own house and sleeping in our own beds, but every now and then Georgia will say, "Mom, we're gonna see Cinderella again!" We sure hope to!