Thomas, Party of Four

Friday, February 13, 2015

Disney World Day 3

Epcot!

We had reservations for a princess breakfast at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Norway.

Checking out her autograph book

The cool thing about doing the early breakfast is that you get into the park before it opens!

Avery got to meet four princesses during the breakfast while we filled up on the buffet.

We finished breakfast just as the park was opening and were able to do/see a few attractions with no waiting (no waiting at Disney World is practically a unicorn).

That green thing is an eel!

Turtle Talk with Crush

Ben was so funny and cute with the costumed characters (he couldn't have cared less about the princesses).

Avery laughing at Goofy trying to get the pen back in the autograph book

Now on to mom and dad's favorite part: the World Showcase!

The UK!

Dancing with Max, Goofy's son (according to Avery)

Seriously, he'll hug anyone. Or anything.

Cookies in Japan

Germany

Meeting Aladdin and Jasmine in Morocco

Meeting Aurora in France

Napping in Germany

On the steps in Mexico

After we'd made our way around the world we went back to the hotel for a little swimming.

Pretty sure Ben would have been happy riding the bus all day

Pool time

We finished off the day with dinner and more car exploration.

Ben made sure to tell everyone around us "that's Lightening McQueen!"

Yep, it was that kind of day.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Disney World Day 2

Day 2, back at Magic Kingdom!

The tea cups. They loved the spinning.

Avery got to participate and play Papa in Enchanted Tales with Belle, an interactive type meet-and-greet. The magic mirror inspired Avery to say "Disney World really is magic: it's not like Oklahoma!" Ben and I didn't see the end as we had to step out due to Ben's ~~crying~~ impatience.

Waiting in another line!

Ben had some rough moments on Friday. I think he was just really tired from insufficient sleep and no nap. He was, however, thrilled to drive a go-cart. Until we abruptly stopped and he hit his face on the steering wheel and then the back of his head. Oops!

Finally he crashed out in the stroller for a cat nap.

While Ben napped Avery rode Prince Charming's carousel and she and Rob shared a snack from Gaston's Tavern.

Dumbo was a favorite with the kids so we rode it a few times. The "queue" for Dumbo was actually a playground, which they loved!

Avery begged us for a balloon the previous day and every time she say one this day as well, so I finally relented. Hello $12 balloon! Which we had to leave in the hotel room when we left, of course! After Avery got one, Ben started asking for a blue one. I ducked into a candy store and placated him with $1 worth of M&Ms. Us: 1, Disney: 34!

Avery bought an autograph/photo book that day so we stopped in to see Tinker Bell again and get her autograph this time while Rob and Ben went on and caught the bus back to the hotel.

As Avery and I walked out to the bus station she looked up and asked me if it was my idea to come to Disney World. I said yes. She said "thank you, Mom. Without you I wouldn't be here." I told her without her and Ben I wouldn't be here either. One of my favorite moments of the trip!

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Disney World Day 1

Well, we're back from our Disney World trip and it's safe to say that everyone had a blast. So much fun and so many pictures I think I'll break it into a few different posts in order to fully document our trip.

We left early Thursday morning. The kids were so excited to go to the airport and ride on an airplane. It was Ben's first plane ride, and as a little boy who loves airplanes, we knew he would be pumped.

We had snacks and coloring books and of course electronics (seriously, what did we do before them?!) to keep the kids entertained. We rented Cars on my Kindle and Ben watched that for the 924th time.

And then I witnessed perhaps the cutest thing I've ever seen: Ben showing his ducky the view out the window.

Overall the kids were great travelers! We arrived in Orlando and hopped on Mickey's Magical Express. If you're staying on Disney property, they provide free transportation to your hotel, as well as baggage service (after you check your bags at your departure airline, you won't see them again until they're delivered to your room-a nice perk).

We stayed at the Art of Animation in a Cars suite. We knew it would be perfect for Ben as he's so into everything Cars right now, and Avery too by proxy.

The kids got to run through Radiator Springs on Route 66 and see all the Cars characters in real life.

We checked out our room and headed over to Magic Kingdom for the rest of the afternoon.

First things first: Dole Pineapple Whip!

Our first ride was Aladdin's Magic Carpets.

We rode as many rides as we could and headed over to meet Tinker Bell.

We then popped in to meet Minnie and Daisy.

Ben loved Minnie. He hugged her, rubbed noses with her, gave her a high five, tried to pull out her tongue, and laughed and jumped up and down. It was nothing short of adorable.

Cinderella Castle looks so pretty at night!

We were able to see part of the Wishes nighttime show. It was so neat, but we headed back to the bus station before it was over to try to avoid the massive crowds.