The Most Magical Place on Earth

So we finally took the plunge and went to Disney World.  I have to say, I was highly skeptical before we left.  Everyone raves about how fun it is for kids and adults but it just didn't seem like a place that we could relax and have a good time.  Long lines, crying kids, sounded like a nightmare to me.  Boy was I wrong.  We all had so much fun!

We went on a Thursday through a Tuesday right after Halloween and prior to the Christmas celebrations at Disney.  We couldn't have planned it better.  The crowds were small so we didn't wait in line very long for anything, the weather was sunny but it wasn't hot, and the kids had SO much fun that it made it enjoyable for us.  It truly is such an experience that I am glad we did with the kids at their ages.  We aren't going to be Disney fanatics or anything but I definitely think we will be going back in a few years.

Leading up to the trip we didn't tell the kids.  They thought they were going to grandpa's house.  We had a very early flight out of Columbus and we broke the news to them before we left with a sign and their stuffed animals on the table.  Nolan tried to sound it all out but got stuck on Disney.  Quinn finally guessed Disney World after a few clues about princesses and then Nolan preceded to yell at us for "lying to them" and Quinn cried that we weren't actually going to grandpa's house.  Kind of an anticlimactic surprise.  In retrospect, I should have been showing them videos of Disney World or something because they didn't have a clue about what were were talking about.

We stayed at the Villas of Grand Cypress which I can't speak highly enough about.  The moment we arrived, the staff was super helpful and friendly.  They even had our groceries delivered early and put away in the kitchen!!  It was also so nice to be able to spread out in the 2 bedroom, 2 bath villa with kitchen, dining room, family room, and back porch.  A nice quiet reprieve from Magic Kingdom.

Walking across the bridge at the Hyatt's pool for the first time.  This is the hotel that Eric and his family used to stay at when he was a kid.  He has so many great memories swimming at this pool and exploring the grottos, slide, and bridges.  It really was cool and there was so much for the kids to do.

Breakfast before our first day at Magic Kingdom.  We opted to do two days at Magic Kingdom and mix pool days in-between.  Now that we have one trip under our belts I think we will have more confidence to try other parks.

Made it in the gates!!

Main street.

After riding the Haunted Mansion.  As we walked into the line for this ride one of the employees looked at Eric and asked if we liked to wait in line.  Eric said, "not particularly," so the guy took us out of line and into a side door that all of the celebrities use to bypass the lines.  It was awesome.

Quinn and Tiana.

Quinn and Rapunzel.  She was Quinn's favorite princess and she chose a Rapunzel doll as her souvenir while we were there.  At one point during the parade, Quinn grabbed her doll and stuck it in the air to show the parade Rapunzel how much she loves her.

The Pirates of the Caribbean ride was Nolan's favorite ride and now he is OBSESSED with pirates.  Daily you can find him dressed as a pirate, looking for treasure, or looting around the house.

Nolan was pumped that Captian Hook pointed right at him.

Riding Dumbo together.

This little show was in 3D.  The kids have never seen a 3D movie before so it was funny to see them trying to grab the images that were flying in front of them.

We only stayed for the fireworks show on our first night at Magic Kingdom.  It was pretty spectacular.

Twelve hours at Magic Kingdom will do this to you.

On Saturday we got up, rode this ridiculous bike, and played around on the chip and putt course.  Then we spent the rest of the day at the pool before heading to Disney Springs for dinner.

We ate at a restaurant called the Rainforest Cafe.  It was crazy.  Lots of animatronic animals and every 20 minutes or so the lights would go dark, it would thunder and lightening like it was storming in the rainforest.

Magic Kingdom, day #2.  We started off with the largest rollercoaster, The Seven Dwarfs Mine Ride, and then ventured over to meet Cinderella and Elena of Avalor.  Quinn was shy around Cinderella at first so Eric had to join in the fun.

Quinn loved Elena and has asked several times for a red dress like hers for Christmas.

Our very own Captain Jack Sparrow.

We lucked out and met Mickey during one of the parades so there wasn't a line at all.  Think we waited maybe 10 minutes?  It was cool because Mickey actually talked.  Nolan had been on the hunt for Mickey and really wanted his autograph so he was thrilled to have met him.

Enchanted Tales with Belle was the last thing we did in Magic Kingdom before heading out.  It was cute.  The kids got to interact with this little play they put on.

Goodbye Magic Kingdom!

On our last day in Orlando we took the kids putt putting for the first time and then spent one more day by the pool.  They really enjoyed putt putting but it was good that we were the only ones there.  We aren't ready to move very quickly.

Nolan was thrilled the putt putt course was pirate themed.

One last poolside daiquiri.

It was sad to leave our first trip to Disney.  I know it will be such a different experience next time we go since the kids will be different ages.  Six and four years old made this trip very magical and we have the best memories!