7 parks in 5 days with 4 kids – A survival story!

Read through the DHS-D1 with my son. Boy was he jealous! And pretty upset with me "you never told me they had a Jedi Training thing there!" But the last time we were there, they were never doing it at a time that worked with our schedule. Oh well, something tells me he'll survive without having done it.

Looking forward to more DHS. I love that park.
 
The Jedi training looks awesome!!! :darth: What great pictures of the boys! Sounds like a great day at DHS. We are really looking forward to DHS...and it will be a Star Wars weekend then, too! I'm glad the second CM worked some magic for Noah.

Finally I am all caught up. Great TR :) love the pictures with Darth Maul. My kids and DH loved Star Wars, I on the other hand could take it or leave it.

Your DHS day looks so great! Im so glad the boys got to do the Jedi training and the 50s diner sounds awesome!

Glad DHS is going well! So nice of the ladies to give you the extra stroller! Love it when things go well!

Wow! Look at Star Wars training! I bet those boys had a great time! Darth Maul is quite freaky looking! I don't think I would want to fight them! I am anxious to see the new layout with the line. I am not a line person and Dallas is even less of a line person!!

I love the Prime Time Diner! Yummy!!! I am dreaming of some roast beef right now!

Read through the DHS-D1 with my son. Boy was he jealous! And pretty upset with me "you never told me they had a Jedi Training thing there!" But the last time we were there, they were never doing it at a time that worked with our schedule. Oh well, something tells me he'll survive without having done it.

Looking forward to more DHS. I love that park.


I thought it might be fun, but I was just not prepared for how much fun the kids would have! My kids tend to be on the shy side, so I was wondering if they would actually do it (Noah in particular) esp when I saw how REAL Darth Maul was .....but no worries! You put a lightsaber in their hands and they must seem like they have the force behind them! :yoda:

Of course, I'm still wondering how Darth Maul kept the horns on his head.....hmmmm.
:rotfl:

Just working on more pictures! I've got Courtney's now and they are AWESOME (much, much better than mine) so now I'm a bit overwhelmed!

We've also had a really rough allergy week here....everybody's suffering and not sleeping that well......:sad2: My last excuse is that I'm trying to scan in the ride pic of Abby on Rock n Roller Coaster -- it's hilarious! But my scanner isn't cooperating!!!

Rest of DHS coming soon!!
 
Me and Ty are loving the Star Wars pics! He says no way to the stage thing but he "might get on a horse at GKTW since he sees several people beside the horse walking along side. Were getting there;)
 
Well, now that I have Courtney's pics, there's several that I like better than mine! :rotfl: So instead of going back and editting all the posts, I'm just going to add some pics here. So here's a few of day 1 & day 2:

1TakingOff.jpg


Taking Off ---


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Noah can get comfortable anywhere!

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8ElladrivingJohnlookingnauseous.jpg


The kids loved all the "rides" around the village!

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Watch out, village -- the "Griswolds" have arrived!

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Singing "M-I-C-K-E-Y-M-O-U-S-E" while clapping -- he did this all day!

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27EllainWaterpark2.jpg


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More pool fun

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Abby -- queen of the gingerbread house!

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Whack-a-mole is always a hit! :laughing:


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No height limit on the carousel!

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Hanging at the village


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Girls with Belle... and on the carousel

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And just a few more of GKTW Christmas....

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Next -- a few more of AK, Epcot, and a few more of DHS - part 1
 

Okay, some more extra pics compliments of Courtney.....

Animal Kingdom.....

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Epcot.....

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190EpcotNoah.jpg


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A 6'11" man does fit into a camaro!


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Noah thanking the CM who showed us some cool fireworks seats!

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Ella was fascinated by the fireworks!


And just a few more of DHS......

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The Girls go to the Muppets...

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Lastly, a few more of the 50s diner....

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Okay, now that I'm caught up.....next up part 2 of DHS......
 
So with full bellies we headed off towards the infamous “hat”!


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We heard that the Block Party was a fun thing to do and we were just in time to grab a good spot! Yes, our caravan was a big one!

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And a good spot it was – the Block Party took place with the Toy Story float directly in front of us!

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So much fun…..the Green Army Man was REALLY funny and made fun of us a couple of times!

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Why aren’t you dancing, little lady?

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Potato Head was so cool !

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Monsters, Inc Float was next….. I love Sully!

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Followed by the “A Bug’s Life” one….

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After the parade we wanted to hit one more place before any kids fell asleep…..

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We had soooooo much fun on this one!!!

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When we came out we recognized a favorite of Noah’s….

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He even signed their books “GREEN ARMY MAN”! Love it!



We headed down the street towards…

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But heard that the wait was considerable – even with the button. So we decided to split up. Brian, Courtney and Abby hit the ride while my mom and I took John , Noah and Ella to find some fun.
Here are a few of Courtney’s pics of the ride…..


Hannah Montana’s shack


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Props from movies, including Narnia


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Backlot of Disaster

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Some ships from the Star Wars movies

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The ride was long (30 min or so) and including the wait it took quite a while, but they got to see some pretty cool things. :thumbsup2

Next up – Lots of characters and a good old fashioned TANTRUM!!! :scared1:
 
Uh oh...a tantrum...:eek: That will never happen with my kids! :lmao:

I love all the pics you added in, and your day at DHS just seems wonderful. I'm lovin' your TR. Can't wait to read more!!
 
I love all the extra pictures! Your kids are gorgeous! Looks like you had a great time at Hollywood Studios! Can't wait for the next installment :goodvibes
 
Sorry for the delay....at long last, the final DHS post!!


Warning: TANTRUM coming soon!

So my mom and I head off with John, Noah and Ella. The two little ones are definitely getting tired as it’s after 4 by this point. We wanted to try out the Playhouse Disney show, but first thought we’d make one stop to see a favorite……..

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McQueen and Mater were very cool! We also just had fun milling about the Cityscape area – it looks pretty cool!


By the time we get over to there, we realize that we missed the Playhouse Disney show by just a few minutes – bummer.

They tell us though that there might be some characters in this nearby “Character Spot”. We first thought we were in the wrong spot, but as we travelled further, we noticed that YES, we found it! This was the motherload of characters, with Mickey, the folks from “Up”, and the Incredibles.

They also said that there are new characters coming in about 10 minutes.

The little’uns were tired and getting grumpy, but it was cool in there so we decided to meet a few…

Who can say no to Mickey? Well, she didn’t say yes, but she didn’t say no either…….

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Next up – “Up”! We recently saw this movie and the kids loved the dog so it started off well…



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But then the dog freaked Noah out somehow,

and then Ella was fascinated by the eyes of the kid (can’t remember his name?).
She had been fascinated with costumes the whole time since she’s still not sure if things are “real” or not.


So Ella’s trying to touch his eyes ,

the kid is backing up,

bumping into Noah,

who is now trying to hide behind me.

Then the photographer tries to help and he knocks Ella over!

She’s crying, he’s trying to run away…….

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It felt like the bloody wilderness, that’s for sure!


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John, however, is having a great time since again there are computer games for him and Nanni to do.



Noah and Ella and I find a quiet place to just veg out.


I look away for a second and when I turn back, I find a woman literally a foot from me and glaring down at Ella

with crazy in her eyes……..





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Normally this would’ve been really cool, but Ella was having NO part in this.

She started crying again......

and even Chip and Dale couldn’t bring out a smile!

But Dale did goof around with Noah quite a bit!


Noah wanted Chip to sign before Dale, and when Dale figured that out, he started tormenting Noah!

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Then playing tug o war with the autograph book, which landed Noah on the FLOOR!


This could’ve gone either way at this point, but Noah shook it off, laughed it up, and finally said good bye to Chip n Dale -- or Alvin’s cousins, as he then started calling them!



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After that we were charactered out and we went outside, only to find that Ella now did not want to leave ---


oh, you thought the tantrum had already occurred?

NO, NO. Ella decides to throw her tantrum right there in the wide open “stroller parking lot”!!!!

Since I don’t have pics of the tantrum…this will have to do.

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She started crying and crying and crying -

--screaming really!

Stamping her feet that she was not getting in the stroller!

What she wanted, nobody really knew.

My mother and I just stood there, in shock of it all, really.

Ella was out of control!

Wanted no comfort, no food, drink, rest, nothing!

She just wanted to stand there and scream!

I was truly ready to throw in the towel (still not sure what that means in this instance), when suddenly this dad walks over, nods knowingly, and says….


......”I’ll take TWO of whatever she’s having!”

Oh, what laughter will do. My mom and I cracked up!

Yes, if we didn’t have the self –control that comes long after turning 3, we might be pitching a fit right there as well!


As soon as Ella saw that we were laughing, she calmed down and smirked a little too – that sneak!


Brian calls and they’re finally off the Backlot tour.


We decided to meet up back at the Toy Story area for one more ride with Buzz and friends!

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When we come out, we notice that across the street are Buzz and Woody!


They were so cool, with Buzz moving about EXACTLY how the “real BUZZ” moved.

They spent quite a bit of time with us and even though Noah suddenly had a case of shyness, we all had some fun!

High Fives for all!

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Brian and Woody discuss who is taller

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Noah finds out what happens when he pushes Buzz’s buttons!

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And whole fam with the gang

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By this time, it’s getting to be close to 6.


Abby (our daredevil) is DYING to go on Tower of Terror and Rock n Roller Coaster. Nobody else really wants a part of this. We draw lots and I'm the lucky one who gets to go with Abby!!

Court, Abby and I head off towards them, while Nanni, Brian and the rest head over to the stunt show area.

First up for Abby and I……… the Tower of Terror….


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A before pic……

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So we go in…..me, a bit apprehensive if it’s appropriate for my 7 yo peanut,

and my 7yo peanut,

who is excited beyond words!


The old deserted hotel lobby, the intro video – both okay, setting the stage.

Then in the basement loading zone, Abby grabs my hand. “This is a little scary, mom”.


“Do you want to leave? It's okay if you do.”


“NO! I just think they did a good job decorating the place!” (Her brothers wouldn’t have gotten past the lobby)



So we finally get our elevator and start on our ride……….



Elevator moving all about, it’s dark and the movements are getting scarier, and we are approaching what I assume will be the “big drop”.


Adrenaline and fear are at a peak when all of a sudden ………










The ride STOPS!

Huh?

Then the Lights come on and we’re staring at 2 closed doors in front of us.

Huh?

The kid in front of us says “this isn’t supposed to happen.”

Okay……..really? Then the announcement…


“Pardon the interruption in the ride, but we are experiencing a problem with one of our elevators. Please sit tight and do not stand up for your ride might start and any time….”




“A PROBLEM with one of your elevators?”



“Are these the same elevators that you are going to drop us to freefall in?”



And I thought Adrenaline and fear were at hilt before this!! Not a chance!”


We sit there for at least 5 minutes, and with each passing minute I’m contemplating taking my baby and running out of there!


But running where? I’m pretty sure we’re up somewhere HIGH!!!



Fortunately Abby seems no worse for the wear and is a little nervous, but more that we don’t know how long we’re going to be stuck there!


When we finally get moving, the lights go off, we move forward, the doors open over the park, and FREEFALL!!!!!!!!!!


Yup, we had been right on the top all along! Honestly, it was a pretty fun ride, but I could do without the "problem with an elevator" at the top!!


As soon as we exit the ride, there’s a CM waiting for us….



“ Sorry about the disruption in the ride folks. Because it might have limited your “experience” of the ride, if you’d like to ride again right now, you are welcome to.”


EVERYBODY takes them up on it -----EVERYBODY except us, that is!

My nerves are SHOT!! Here’s the evidence that we survived!!

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Thinking that surely Abby would be ready to leave, I am SHOCKED when she asks me if we could PLEASE ride Rock n Roller Coaster!



Are you serious??!?!? I love this girl!



If it were just up to me, we’d be out of there, but who can resist her adventurous spirit? Not me! We decide to try it……




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….and LOVE it!!!


It was my favorite ride of the whole trip and I am soooooo glad Abby was the one to get me to go on it. It was her favorite ride too!

Looking at the ride photo, we just couldn’t resist purchasing it!!


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Check out petite Abby in the back having a BLAST…….

……and the grown man in front of her who won’t open his eyes!!!

HILARIOUS!!

She has a copy of this pic in her room and hasn’t stopped
talking about how much fun it was.



After that, we realize that it’s getting late and everybody is funneling into Fantasmic. We had decided ahead of time that we were going to skip this one, so we start making our way against the flow to the front of the park.



Meanwhile, Brian, my mom and the rest of the kids had already made their way there, after hanging around near the Lights, Motor, Action area.

They stopped to check out the speeders…….


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Then as soon as they left the gates to the park…

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Finally, the freedom of ripping the tape off the light sabers!!!


We head off back for GKTW, but again realize we made a mistake with Noah’s meals! UGH! Ketosis is a natural appetite suppressant, so Noah is hardly ever hungry. I usually have to remind him to eat! Well, because we were having so much fun, we missed the fact that it had been hours since his last bite. This usually causes him to go deep into ketosis and usually makes him acidotic as well. He then gets groggy and very sleepy.

He was already asleep by the time we were in the car, and by the time we got to the gingerbread house, he was OUT COLD.


(Yes, he slept soundly on the floor of the gingerbread house – and Auntie’s purse!


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I eventually woke him enough to feed him a late dinner and get his meds down, but that was about it.


The rest of the kids hit the end of Mayor Clayton’s birthday party, where they got some cool flowers and swords out of balloons. They got one for Noah, too, who didn’t get to see it until morning!!



Whew! What a fun-filled day!

We decide (over pizza, of course) that the next day, Sunday, fittingly will be our day of “REST”.

We're going to sleep in and just see what we feel like doing -

-- looking back, I’m just laughing at this plan!!!



Next up – Our day of REST – two Universal parks, lots of legos, and Candyland fun! So much for “REST”!!! LOL!!
 
Tower of Terror......


:scared1::scared1::scared1: :scared1: :scared1::scared1::scared1:

I would have needed a voucher for some new shorts. :rolleyes1


Love the IDEA of a day of rest......

:rotfl2:

Awesome updates. Thank you so much for sharing your trip with us!
 
Love the tantrum part! Gotta have atleast one somewhere right!

Looks like a fun filled day. I love Abby's face on RNR. She is one brave little girl!

Courtney's pictures are wonderful. It is nice to have another set of hands and different angles of the pictures and especially ones that include you!
 
I have to agree with the guy on RR I would close my eyes to. Brave young lady to go on those thrill rides. Day of rest huh? Waiting to read all about it before we leave for the world Thursday.
 
You guys look like you had a BALL! And how brave you are to ride the Tower of Terror!! I wanted no parts of that ride. But I have a feeling that I'm going to be over ruled this year!!

Looking forward to the next installment!
 
:scared1: TOT! No way!! lol I would have been bawlling!! I love the R&R pic. Too funny how the guy looks scared to death and she is back there having a great time:rotfl:
 
I am being dragged on TOT as well...I'm sure! I will gladly do any roller coaster, but some of the other rides make me nervous! And please don't ask me to spin! :rotfl: Carmella is a daredevil like Abby. We did Hersheypark last summer, and she and I went on all the roller coasters. Daddy doesn't really like them, so it's all on me!

Sounds like this was a GREAT day for you guys (temper tantrum aside of course!)!!:goodvibes
 
What a fun day! Loved Lady Tremaine standing right next to you :rotfl2: Poor little Ella - she probably just needed to blow off some steam. That was really cute of the other dad chiming in and saving the day. Abby is really a trooper by going on ToT and not freaking out when the ride stopped. Problems with the elevator would have freaked me out! Overall great day seems to be had by all!
 
Thanks so much, guys for sticking with me on this TR and for being patient. I'm trying to get faster!!

This weekend is NOAH'S 5th BIRTHDAY!!!!!

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

So before the festivities begin, I thought I'd give you one more installment......


coming right UP!!!!!!
 
So it’s Sunday morning ---- our day of rest!


We’re going to sleep in…..

…..but nobody had told my brain --- or Noah!

I was wide awake at about 5:30am! I decide to go for an early morning walk around the village. I tiptoe up, throw some clothes on, and find Noah standing there ---

“can I come?”



So Noah and I head out with the stroller. It was another gorgeous morning!

It was a really quiet and beautiful time of peace and reflection. Although we didn’t go into the chapel, that’s where my mind was as we walked along, Noah chatting about the things he was seeing. Noah is rarely by himself and I’m always surprised when I’m with just him – he’s quite the chatterbug! I was quietly reflecting and thanking God for Noah’s current state of seizure freedom, that we could even COME on this trip ---cancelled just 7 short months ago.


Although I would never choose to relive this past year, there have been many blessings and they came to mind as we walked along.


The village was absolutely quiet, other than for the occasional squirrel or bird.


We walked through the garden.....

and then discovered a path which led to some old friends……..




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The ice cream palace was open, where I got some DESPERATELY needed COFFEE!!

It was the first time we noticed the carousel horse in the back!


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More folks were starting to wake up so we headed back and found everyone stirring at our villa as well. We headed up for another yummy breakfast!!


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Boys will be boys…..



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We found ourselves on the carousel again --- shocker!!!



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We also spent a bit of time in the castle and found Noah’s star on the wall!!

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We were off today to the Universal parks (after Daddy stopped for some shoes at “Rack Room Shoes”…..size 15s are hard to come by, but he found a pair!!)


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Our “agenda” for the day was to take it easy! The kids were tired from the previous long 2 days…..and so were we! In hindsight, that’s probably why this day goes so well --- we are just going to see what we see and leave it at that!




It’s quite the hike from the parking lot, even with the moving sidewalks! By the time we arrive, Noah’s ready for his nap --- especially considering the time he got up!!



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Universal Studios was great!! (Not sure if we just got lucky, but it wasn't crowded at all and we got front of the line treatment at every place we went.)


We hit Jimmy Neutron first off. The kids loved this one -- esp when we ended up in Spongebob’s domain!! And when we came out? The “king” himself!!



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Dora and Diego were outside and although Noah and Ella are huge fans, they didn’t act like it!!!


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Next up --- SHREK!!!!

We had fun at this show and the kids just loved the Donkey or Dragon (can’t remember which) SNEEZE! A few scary parts for the little’uns, but they all enjoyed it! We also enjoyed just walking around and playing around in all the shops – there was hardly anybody there that day!



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My mom did a walk through of The I love Lucy museum, which she enjoyed, and we headed off the “kiddie” land! Ella was getting tired by this point too, so she stayed with me while the others did the Woody Woodpecker roller coaster ride.



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After the ride, we just walked around a bit and before long this happened………



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And then this……..



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We turned a corner and found these guys……



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Ella LOVES Shaggy (will only eat the shaggy vitamins, so sometimes Mom has to tell a white one!).


As much as I knew she wanted to meet him, I also knew better than to wake her up…..but they gave her tons of beads (it was Mardi Gras).





Although Abby wanted to go on “RipRockit” or whatever that CRAZY looking thing is, she wasn’t tall enough, so we decided to head over to IOA.



(In hindsight I totally wish we had ventured over to do Jaws (for me!!), but we were all just so content that Noah and Ella were getting some much needed REST!)




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So over to IOA we go.
 




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