Well, we found out that dreams really do come true! Before leaving I was so excited but Ben was a little bit more skeptical, never having been to Disney and he prefers a more quiet and relaxing vacation. However, not only did our kiddos get the Disney bug but Ben LOVED it as well! We are already planning when we will go back. It is the 4-year plan :) We had a magical time shared with both sets of grandparents..How lucky are we??!
And so our trip begins at the Flint airport. How cute is this little traveler?
All packed and ready to go! At first, our kids had really no idea what to think about going to Disney besides they got to go to Florida. SO once we told them we were going we had lots of movie nights to catch them up to speed on who are the Disney characters and movies. We had fun watching Snow White (Elle's new favorite), Cinderella (already a popular one at our house), Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, Toy Story, Aladdin, Little Mermaid, Winne the Pooh, Dumbo, Peter Pan, Rapunzel and Maleficent. We had a lot of fun going back and watching these shows with them! We also you-tubed a lot of Disney footage so the kids could see what it was going to like and to grow that excitement even more! Needless to say we were all pumped and ready to go!!
First, though, airports are exciting enough for these 3. Luke is showing Drew our plane and everyone is excited to board!
Drew is at the busy age of 2 so we weren't for sure how much he would sit still. But he was great! He sat with me and the older two sat with Ben in the row behind me. Grandma and Papa were in the row next to us!
Cocktails for the adults! It makes flying with three babies so much easier. :)
Elle was on the tail end of a cold so once we had our quick stop in Chicago we changed up the seating arrangement and Elle fell asleep on me and Drew hung out with the boys.
Update on Drew's elbow: When he first got the cast on the Dr. told me he had to wear it for 2 weeks but that was the exact day we were leaving for Disney so he got it off the day before and the x-rays showed it was 80% healed so he could get it off for the trip but we would have to soft wrap it each day. Well, fast forward to our first day in the Magic Kingdom and my Dad noticed that his hand was swollen and puffy. Yep. I had wrapped it too tightly and now his hand was swelling. Thank goodness Dad noticed it early on!! So, we did not really wrap it the rest of the trip and at his followup visit this week his elbow fracture was 100% healed. Phew, thank goodness we have our "village" helping and supporting us along the way!!!
The kids loving the extra attention from Papa and Grandma!
We got in late that Friday night and Saturday morning we "slept in" and all had breakfast together at the Tradewinds clubhouse in our condo complex. I am not kidding when I say it was SOOOO good! I had poached eggs, with tomato slices, avocado, and rye toast. I knew I was on vacation then! The sun was out, it was hot, we ate outside and next to our table was a fuse ball table which kept the kids entertained. Life is good.
Oh, and just inside there was an arcade. Another win!
Then the rest of the day was a poolside day. It worked out so well too because this was the only day that reached to mid 80's while we there. We all had fun swimming in the pool and the hot tub is always a fan favorite for our family.
And our poolside service with all the drinks we want was a fun bonus. Does this girl rock vacation, or what?!
That night we all ordered takeout for dinner and ate at Grandpa and Grandma Uitti. During dinner we also finalized the plans for the next day...Our first day going to Magic Kingdon! YAY!
We all woke up nice and early with excitement in our tummies! On our way to the happiest place on Earth...
Packing up the stroller making sure we have all of our necessities for the day.
Luke's first glimpse of Cinderella's Castle from the tram.
AND we are here!
We are all gearing up for the opening show. This was a must on out list and the main reason we were up and ready to go so early.
Grandpa and Grandma Cooley ready to roll!
Grandpa and Grandma Uitti are too! So fun to have everyone together!
And the opening show! I swear, I was so excited and just overwhelmed that we were there, all of us made it, and here we were about to enjoy the day together. All of this bubbled inside of me during the show that I cried, actually cried. Below you can see the Fairy Godmother on the balcony. She had just sprinkled her fairy dust on us and the fireworks went off. And all of the magical lands are OPEN!
Drew with his Papa. This was just before Dad noticed that his hand was all puffy from me putting the wrap on too tight. Poor guy.
We were off to explore the magic of the land. Our first fast pass was to Belle's experience. The kids all got to play a part in the Be Our Guest play! Isn't that the cutest little plate...
And pepper shaker. :)
And meeting Belle! (My personal favorite!)
Then we spied our first character right outside Belle's experience...Take out those autograph books! We weren't completely sold on doing these but we are so glad that we did. It was so fun meeting the characters and it was a nice icebreaker to have the kids ask for an autograph if they became shy or nervous. They had a "ready" thing to say and that was helpful. Now that we are home, we printed out and taped the picture of them meeting each character on the matching page of their books.
It's the Fairy Godmother!
Larabar break and nap for Drew.
So we left Drew with the grandparents and the 4 of us took off for Splash Mountain. This was Ben's favorite ride. :) Us girls were all into wearing the pouch but the boys were too big and tough to wear them.
Wait time: 10 minutes. So great!
Ben and Luke are sitting in front of us and look how wet the back of their seat is. Right before the biggest hill, they did grab a poncho from me and put it across their laps. Look at this girl's smile. Elle was a champ and loved the ride and so did Luke. Mommy Confession: I did put my arm in front of Elle to hold her back each time we went down a hill.
Cool boys.
Lunch together after the Small World ride. Drew had gone on the ride with his grandparents and the four of us rode it together after Splash Mountain. Drew still talks about the ride. He talks about the kids "clapping", "dancing", "kicking", "lights", "boat", "wawa", and "Papa".
Parking our stroller and getting ready for the Peter Pan ride AND again there was no wait! I'm telling ya, our kids really got spoiled on wait times. To them, Disney a magical place that you can pretty much walk on any ride you want to. (Except the 7 Dwarfs Mine ride! That always had at least a 35 minute wait at all times, so we put it on our list for next time.)
Drew getting ready to board Peter's Flight!! This was also on the top of our list. The ride is setup to "fly" over the different scenes from the movie. Very cool!
A classic ride...
We had a little time before Elle's special princess lunch so we did a quick trip to meet Rapunzel and Princess Tianna! Elle was so excited to meet each princess and you can tell from the big smile on her face! BUT Luke was just as excited and this really took us by surprise! It's all a great memory.
Us girls took off to Cinderella's Castle to enjoy our lunch but while the girls are away the boys will play! They first went on a roller coaster called the Junior Barnstormer.
Luke got to ride with his Papa!
Then they had fun through a little spray park area.
I think Luke liked it.
And then ended with another carousel ride.
But while the boys played, we were excited to meet Cinderella in her castle! Elle all dressed up to meet her and next in line!
She asked to see her shoes, of course.
These two princesses, twinning.
And off we go to Princess Elle's Royal Table! Look at this girl hiking up her dress and totally owning it. Work it, girl.
Cinderella's Royal Table was absolutely magical and fancier than I expected! Our waiter referred to Ellie as "Princess" and being served so kindly after an early morning and a packed day was a nice mid-afternoon treat for this mama. We had a gourmet tray of appetizers and Elle got her own app of grapes and cheese. Both Grandmas and I got the beef sirloin tip salad and it was soooo good. Elle got chicken nuggets with mashed potatoes, we all had endless drinks and we all had dessert. Ok, I will stop ranting about the food but it was a nice treat!
Ok, and not to mention the princesses that come and visit you at your table! Elle was so excited to meet Snow White! Cinderella was always her fave and then when she watched Snow White she was quickly replaced. Look at my happy, sweet girl. She was thrilled.
And then Ariel came by.
Followed by Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) who I thought was so sweet.
And Jasmine was our last princess. They were all so personable and made Ellie feel so special like she was one of them. Worth every penny.
The most special part of all of it is that Ellie spent this magical afternoon with both Grandmas too! I mean, what a lucky, lucky girl. You are blessed, sweetheart, and we love you with all of our hearts.
One more shout out to the food...This was my dessert! The clock strikes midnight...
A group of real life royalty, if I do say so myself.
We regrouped with the guys outside the castle and at this point, the only rain in the forecast for the week, was about to start in an hour or so (around 5 pm). We made the decision to go on one more ride and then hit the road.
While the sky still looked pretty we took a pretty, darn awesome group pic. This is what it's all about.
We hurried off to Aladdin's Carpet ride and the rain started. Ben still walked on with the kids for a quick ride and had fun moving the carpets up and down.
The three cutest rain drops around! All smiles after getting off the tram. The first day was down in the books!
A quick shout to B and Mol who let us take their double stroller to Florida!! Thank you, friends!! It became our home base while in the parks. A couple tips we had read about that really worked for us:
1. Have a bright bandanna/ribbon tied around the handle of the stroller. While on the rides, the Disney staff move strollers around to make optimum space in the parks. So, your stroller will probably be moved while you are on the ride. It is helpful when spotting yours.
2. We had 2 caribeeners clipped to the handle each holding a cooler. One cooler held our water and the other had all of our food for the day.
3. We had layers packed! When we started in the am it was around 66 degrees and when it hit high afternoon it was high 70s to 80. At night, it went back down so layering was important and for today we brought our rain jackets as well.
4. We had neon bracelets and necklaces for us all to wear once the sun went down. We loved having these because they are fun to wear with the fireworks show and everything and because we could easily spot each other in the dark.
The first day wrapped up a little early, around 5:30, but it was a wonderful. Now it was time to regroup, repack the coolers and get ready for the four of us to hit Epcot tomorrow!!!
Bright and early entering Epcot and it's all blue skies and sunshine! Bring. It. On.
We loved each of our park visits and honestly going back to reflect on each day it feels like it's own story to be told. Epcot was sunny, fun, uncrowded, and we stayed until the park closed and both kiddos were sleeping. This was one of the park days that we went just the four of and Drew stayed back with Gma and Gpa Cooley. Epcot was Ben's favorite Disney park!
Our first stop was a Fast Pass to The Little Mermaid ride. When we got there though we walked right on the ride and realized that this ride you probably don't need to use a Fast Pass for. The ride is always moving and so it cuts down on the wait time. While on the ride we saw Nemo and Dory swimming around in the fish tanks in front of us. It was pretty cool!
After the ride, we were able to walk all around the aquarium, We saw sea turtles, sharks, lots of fish, a manatee, and even a dolphin show!
Shark attack!
Our dolphin friends at the end of their show. Their trainer had them pose for a picture. How cute are they??!
Here we are in line waiting for Talking With Crush...These two really are the sweetest.
Outside we stopped for a quick, early lunch. We dined on hard-boiled eggs, salami roll-ups, veggies, Larabars, fruitsnacks, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
Then we were off to our favorite ride, SOARIN'!! We did not have a Fast Pass for this ride and we so wish we had gotten one. It was the longest ride that we waited for in all four days being at the Disney parks. We waited 45 minutes and then loved it so much, we hit the ride one more time before the park closed and waited another 45 minutes. BUT, so fun! The ride zooms you around the World like you are flying. There is a point when you are flying over the elephants in Africa you could even smell the stench! Your legs are dangling and you feel like you are free just flying over our beautiful world.
We were talking with a retired couple who gave us the best tip: To wait for the middle section of the ride because it was more believable and they were so right! The fist time we waited the extra time and when you flew over the Eiffel Tower it looked completely real as to our 2nd time. The 2nd time the Tower was contorted because of the angle of the big screen.
Then off to the Imaginarium ride which was honestly so strange we didn't even know what was really going on. It was about science and went into the 5 senses, and then ended with using your imagination. Hmmm. Not for sure about this one.
The big hit about this ride was activity room you could explore in afterwards. Here Elle is conducting to make the instruments play.
And here our kids could step on a square and make that instrument play on the wall.
Next up, getting ready for a 3-D movie!
Luke laughed so loud during this movie! He was really cracking me up! It was a series of 3 short films and during the middle one, this Mama closed her eyes and enjoyed a little snooze.
And then we wait with excitement in Norway to meet Anna and Elsa of course!
Anna was so funny and chatty. The kids loved having some time with her and felt so comfortable around her warm personality.
Elle trying on Anna's braids. :)
And the queen these two couldn't wait to meet! Both were in awe and could barely muster up a few words to say to her. This was on of my FAVORITE memories with Luke. He was in love! Look at him getting another glance at her during the picture. So sweet. When we were leaving, Elsa said to Luke, " Goodbye, little snowman." Luke's face turned bright red as he let out a little giggle and shy wave. Ben and I played this one out for a LONG time with Luke. We would say in Elsa's voice, "Goodbye, little snowman," and Luke just cracked up. He has started saying it back to us. :)
This kid loves blonde hair. He loves Ellie's hair and he loves Elsa. His favorite animal is even the polar bear because "their fur looks so soft and cuddly". I am making a very early call here but I think Luke will be into blondes. We shall see!
And we could call it a day and these two kiddos go home happy.
But our travel around "Epcot world" is just beginning! Off to China, where we got to see the Chinese acrobats. Very cool! We made a quick stop in Italy to watch the mime and hit Morocco later in the night as a special tribute to one of our favorite Aunties!!
But first, we hurried back to Test Track because of the short wait!! Wahoo! Luke and Ben went in the single passenger lane because it was only 20 minutes however, the regular line was a 45 minute wait and I was not going to wait that long with Ellie for this ride. So, when the boys got done they gave our family a Fast Pass on the spot so Elle and I could hop on the ride quickly as well. Thank you, Disney!! Elle and I hopped in our car and during the ride you accelerate, pretend crash, twist and turn, break quickly, jerk back and forth...It is a practice test for Chevy cars! She didn't say a word, didn't even let out a little scream, and at the end she just quietly said, " I wanna do that again." This girl. She loves herself some speed and action!
Elle and on getting on Test Track...
Getting ready to GO.....!!!
And then just because we were back over in that neck of the woods, we just had to go on Soarin' one more time! Here are my people soarin' after round two of the ride.
Then our last Fast Pass of the day...The Frozen ride back in Norway. we felt like ballers going on this ride. It was the longest ride we saw... An hour and fifteen minutes and we just strolled right up to the boats like no big thang. The decor was great but honestly the ride was only so-so. It was a viking ride before the movie had come out so they just kinda renovated it to fit the Frozen movie and it felt a little forced and awkward.
And because the kiddos had already met the characters, they were a little disappointed that the characters "weren't real" on the ride. I think Luke just wanted to get a glance at Elsa one more time.
Back to the "lands" of Epcot! And it got pretty chilly at this point.
But we wanted to check out Morocco! Keeping each other warm in the stroller. :)
And the infamous Illumination show! We had no idea how cool this would be. You can get a Fast Pass for this and next time we go this will for sure be on our list because you can get a front row seat for the whole show. We thought it would be fireworks and you can see fireworks anywhere in the sky, right?! Well this was more than fireworks! It was an entire show on the water with lasers and a globe that rises out of the water and has different images illuminated on it. From what we saw it looked really cool but our view wasn't the best. Next time!
Another wonderful day together. We left filled to the brim, happy, and exhausted.
Day 4, on Tuesday, was a pool, stay at the condo day!! We swam, relaxed, played with our toys, played tennis, went to the sauna, and just enjoyed the relaxation. That night Ben and I were out for a date night and made it to Disney Springs when I had a sinking feeling that Drew needed to go to the Dr. He had spiked a fever the day before and seemed extra clingy to me when we had left. As we pulled into Disney Springs I told Ben we needed to turn around and take Drew in to get checked. Love him. Right away we turned around and found a 24-hour clinic to take him in. Mom and Dad had Drew ready to go when we got back to the condo and we were off. Sure enough, Drew's tonsils were so swollen they were almost touching :( So he was put on penicillin and by the next day he was feeling much better. Thank goodness!
That night Luke and Ellie also had a sleepover visit at Grandpa and Grandma's condo!! They had so much fun playing, going to Applebee's, and having an ice cream treat back at their place. So fun!! There were two twin beds in the bedroom they slept in but the next morning, Mom and Stan told us that they crawled in the same bed together and slept that way to whole night. Such sweeties.
Day 5, on Wednesday, we were off to Disney's Animal Kingdom! Mom and Dad Cooley and Drew were supposed to come as well but they offered to stay back with Drew. So great of them.
Here we go!
I was a little skeptical about Animal Kingdom thinking that it was a glorified zoo and not being a huge zoo fan we almost passed on going. I am so glad we didn't! For me, Animal Kingdom was the biggest surprise and I loved it!
Below we used our first Fast Pass to watch the musical Lion King!! The best show!
Front row seats for these VIP kiddos. Luke looks SO tall in this pic! Where is my little baby?!
The music, the acrobats, the costumes, the singing, the dancing was all magical!
After the show we were off to the African trail. Starting off with the aquatics...
Zebras...
Tree hugger.
A gorilla mama nursing her baby and all I could think was, " I get it, girl."
These two melt this mama's heart.
Next up was one of our favorites the Safari ride. You go into one of these big, hunky Jurassic Parky type jeeps and you go around the "African" lands to see all type of animals. THIS is the way to see animals!
Elephants! One of the Mama's just had her baby, Baby Stella, and the little elephant was only three weeks old.
I could have reached out and touched this zebra as we drove by it.
Mr. Benjamin Meli to your service.
Meeting Flick!
And one of our family favorites, Tarzan!
In front of the Tree of Life!
The couple we met in the Soarin' line had given us one other tip and that was to make sure to see Ms.Divine while at Animal Kingdom. We had never heard about her before and she's something the Park doesn't advertise but she was pretty cool! Can you find her in the three pictures below?
She is like this graceful dancer that comes out twice a day and camouflages herself against the green trees. She takes people by surprise when she peels herself off and starts moving! You have to check with one of the park workers to find out when she comes out into the park.
We love Animal Kingdom!
Our next Fast Pass was to the Finding Nemo show! Again, so cute! The show was all done with puppets and had us all singing it's songs the rest of the week.
Below is the scene from the fish tank at the Dentist.
Next up was the 3D Bug's Life movie. It was soooo cute!
Waiting in line for the movie at the Tree of Life.
You go "underground" under the Tree of Life.
The cutest bug ever. She was adamant that she wear her glasses upside down.
There was a small glitch in the movie that they had to reset so the kids worked on their African trail scavenger/sticker book.
Next up the train ride to the Conversation Station:
Awkward family photo.
Finding the animals in our scavenger hunt book.
There's one!
Meeting Chip & Dale!
Awww, such a sweet picture.
Meeting Rafiki!
Rafiki really loved Grandma U!
We love Papa U.!
Truth.
Meeting King Louis and Baloo!
We were walking past the roller coaster at Animal Kingdom and I got so excited! I love roller coasters! I started talking about how much I love roller coasters to everybody and then it dawned on me that we could go!! We had Grandma and Grandpa to watch the kids and there was NO wait! So this was our chance! Ben was a little reluctant well, very reluctant BUT we did it!
And of course it was so much fun! The pic below is one of those photos they take while you are on the ride. Love it!
A quick trip on a ride...
And then night had fallen and the Dinosaur ride was the last ride on our list to hit! Look below...no wait, again! Animal kingdom was just the best when it came to no waits!
We weren't for sure about this ride for the kiddos because we had heard it was pretty scary but the kids did great and we were happy we went. Look at Luke below holding onto his Dad. Love!
The last stop of Animal Kingdom was watching the Light Show on the Tree of Life!
It was a great, fun-filled day at Animal Kingdom!
We
4th day: Last day of Magic Kingdom
