We had the time of our lives in Disney World April 22 through the 28.
Day One
Darcy from Tiffany picked us up from the airport at about 11:00 on Sunday the 22nd. After a grocery stop, we arrived at the breathtaking Animal Kingdom Lodge soon after. There was no line for check in and our room was available immediately. Room 3521 inside the horseshoe. Tried to book Fantasmic Dinner package for Tuesday, but only around 4:00 pm was available, so we changed to Friday night at 6:10...this turned out to be a big mistake...more later. We were given a quick tour of the lobby area by the very friendly bellman and taken to our room. The room was small but seemed to meet all of our needs. The view was incredible. The hotel provides an information sheet on all the animals and a place to check off as you have seen each one. By the end of the week we had checked them all.
We headed down for a standard lunch at The Mara where we purchased our souvenir mugs (good decision) then a dip in the pool for me and DS (5) while DH and other DS (2) took a nap. Pink flamingos are located nearby the pool and the playground. Other animals can be spotted near that same area.
After getting cleaned up, we headed to Chef Mickey's, which I believe is a wonderful way to get everybody in the mood. DS (2) needed to warm up to the characters and this was a good opportunity for it.
Day Two
The next morning (Mon.) I woke up a little before 7:00, so I called WDW Dining and lucked out getting a PS for breakfast Cinderella's for Wednesday morning. I guess the 48 hour thing does work.
ATTN: DISNEY MAGIC MOMENT:
DS (5) had been pretty cranky so far on this trip, and he was having a lot of trouble getting out of bed this morning. Once the phone rang and I handed it to him and he heard Mickey's voice telling him to get going, he just beamed. I will never forget the look on his face signifying a wonderful change in attitude.
This is about the time they restock food for the animals, so the animals were not far behind them. Our room was not too far from the elevators, so hopping down to the Mara in the mornings for coffee refills was pretty convenient. We made this trip faithfully every morning.
We made it to Animal Kingdom by 9:00am. Our first major attraction was the Lion King Show. It was awesome. Although, DS (5) liked Tarzan Rocks the best, the grown ups loved the Lion King. Don't miss it. Kilomanjaro Safaris was fun and also It's Tough To Be a Bug. Although many kids were just wailing in this 3D show, our kids were fine. We had a good lunch at Tuskers.
After AK, a quick pool break and nap then over to Epcot where DS (5) fell asleep immediately. We tried to wake him up for all the parades, etc. going on, but he was not interested. He did wake up just in time for illuminations though. For some reason DS (2) would only let his Mom hold him for the whole week in Disney World, so while big brother was using his stroller to sleep, I was miserable toting around this humongous two year old. For the rest of the week, we rented the double strollers. But we still used the umbrella when we weren't in the parks.
Day Three
We made it to MGM by about 10am and went straight to Star Tours. Big hit with DS (5). Then off to Muppet Show then Beauty and the Beast. (Still can't beat AK shows). Lunch at the sci fi was great. Our waiter had plenty of personality and the boys loved being the "drivers". We took the Great Movie Ride and were back to the room by 2:00 making our evening trip to Epcot much more successful. We enjoyed a few rides and Teppanyaki dining then watched Illuminations as we headed to park exit, so we could be the first to leave.
Day Four
Finally, MK Day. Before our 9:50 PS at Cindy's we were able to ride Winnie The Pooh and The Carousel with no waits. Although the wait was plenty long for our table. Aladdin was in the lobby to entertain us. The castle was a neat place to eat and the food was really good. Our boys were pretty shy around the princesses though. I'm glad we got to go, but I'm not going to go to any great lengths to get a PS next time.
Next we met some friends from Tampa who have two daughters, age 3 and 1. We headed over to Buzz Lightyear where DH scored a whopping 165,000. Next time he has to ride with younger brother who must have constant control of the cart. Then on to our longest wait of the entire trip....the race track...Absolutely not worth it.
Over in Toon town DS gets a space ranger face painting. This was absolutely of the highest priority for this boy, and he took it very seriously. After a quick lunch/snack we rode It's a Small World and Peter Pan's Flight and watched the Lion King show. Then we got a parade spot. I made the huge mistake of trying to take DS(2) back to the room after the parade. This was tough, but I had to do it. He had to sleep and I had to meet my sister at 4:00.
Our friends from Tampa managed to get the room right next to ours after three attempts. They refused the first two rooms they tried to give them. Why not offer the room right next to us to start with? I don't know.
Dinner at The Boma was wonderful. This was our best dinner...food, atmosphere, service, the whole package. My sister watched the sleeping babes while we had a drink in Victoria Falls lounge. Very nice and peaceful...
Day Five
We took the bus to MGM then the boat to the Boardwalk to eat at Spoodle's. Awesome breakfast. Definitely the best of the trip. I wish I could have spent more time in the Boardwalk area. It looks pretty neat. Took the bus to Blizzard Beach. Lots of fun. Wore us out. Went to Downtown Disney for dinner at Portobello's. It was expensive and just okay...not that kid friendly. Lego land was a nice little stop on the way back.
Day Six
Back to Magic Kingdom. This time we started in Future Land and everyone else did Buzz while I got FastPasses for Space Mtn. The Kids loved Astro Orbiter and of course SM was great for the adults. A quick tour through Mickey and Minnie's house then on to Haunted Mansion. DS (5) was leery but he endured and was irritated afterward. He was on an absolute mission to get to Frontierland, and why? Because he wanted to get a wooden rifle like Davy Crockett...Disney Magic indeed. How he knew they had those, I don't know, but he wasn't going to be able to enjoy anything else until he had the rifle. This was the only thing (except for face painting) that he asked for the entire week, so we obliged and had it sent to the front of the park. We got FPs for Splash Mtn and had lunch at Pecos Bills (wow what a condiments bar) then on to Country Bear Jamboree. DH and DSs went to Tom Sawyers Island while my sister and I rode Splash Mtn, and had a wonderful ride until the ride experienced technical difficulties and we got stuck for about 30 to 40 minutes. What is it about plume rides?
After hooking back up with a worn out DH we headed to Adventureland for the Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean then made it out of the park before the parade.
My sister then went for a solo evening at Epcot while we headed over to MGM for Fantasmic Dinner Package after a nap stop at the room.
Before Dinner at Brown Derby, we stopped by Rock and Roll Roller Coaster for FPs. Dinner was great but my FP was about to run out so while DH paid the check I ran over and rode the ride. Wow, what a ride...I barely held on to my dinner. We entered Fantasmic at 8:00 and struggled to control our kids for 30 minutes waiting for the show. I couldn't imagine how those parents had done it that had been waiting for two hours. Once the show started I could tell why everyone was compelled to wait...then Mickey fell down and the show was called off. Wow, what a disappointment. Oh well, this was our last night, so we didn't ask for a rain check, although, I'm pretty sure they issued them for other guests.
Day Seven
We had a wonderful breakfast at the Boma and then some pool time. Darcy arrived right on time to take us back to the airport. Our trip was great...can't wait to go back!!! We have so much more to do....
Our Disney World Online Album
Day One
Darcy from Tiffany picked us up from the airport at about 11:00 on Sunday the 22nd. After a grocery stop, we arrived at the breathtaking Animal Kingdom Lodge soon after. There was no line for check in and our room was available immediately. Room 3521 inside the horseshoe. Tried to book Fantasmic Dinner package for Tuesday, but only around 4:00 pm was available, so we changed to Friday night at 6:10...this turned out to be a big mistake...more later. We were given a quick tour of the lobby area by the very friendly bellman and taken to our room. The room was small but seemed to meet all of our needs. The view was incredible. The hotel provides an information sheet on all the animals and a place to check off as you have seen each one. By the end of the week we had checked them all.
We headed down for a standard lunch at The Mara where we purchased our souvenir mugs (good decision) then a dip in the pool for me and DS (5) while DH and other DS (2) took a nap. Pink flamingos are located nearby the pool and the playground. Other animals can be spotted near that same area.
After getting cleaned up, we headed to Chef Mickey's, which I believe is a wonderful way to get everybody in the mood. DS (2) needed to warm up to the characters and this was a good opportunity for it.
Day Two
The next morning (Mon.) I woke up a little before 7:00, so I called WDW Dining and lucked out getting a PS for breakfast Cinderella's for Wednesday morning. I guess the 48 hour thing does work.
ATTN: DISNEY MAGIC MOMENT:
DS (5) had been pretty cranky so far on this trip, and he was having a lot of trouble getting out of bed this morning. Once the phone rang and I handed it to him and he heard Mickey's voice telling him to get going, he just beamed. I will never forget the look on his face signifying a wonderful change in attitude.
This is about the time they restock food for the animals, so the animals were not far behind them. Our room was not too far from the elevators, so hopping down to the Mara in the mornings for coffee refills was pretty convenient. We made this trip faithfully every morning.
We made it to Animal Kingdom by 9:00am. Our first major attraction was the Lion King Show. It was awesome. Although, DS (5) liked Tarzan Rocks the best, the grown ups loved the Lion King. Don't miss it. Kilomanjaro Safaris was fun and also It's Tough To Be a Bug. Although many kids were just wailing in this 3D show, our kids were fine. We had a good lunch at Tuskers.
After AK, a quick pool break and nap then over to Epcot where DS (5) fell asleep immediately. We tried to wake him up for all the parades, etc. going on, but he was not interested. He did wake up just in time for illuminations though. For some reason DS (2) would only let his Mom hold him for the whole week in Disney World, so while big brother was using his stroller to sleep, I was miserable toting around this humongous two year old. For the rest of the week, we rented the double strollers. But we still used the umbrella when we weren't in the parks.
Day Three
We made it to MGM by about 10am and went straight to Star Tours. Big hit with DS (5). Then off to Muppet Show then Beauty and the Beast. (Still can't beat AK shows). Lunch at the sci fi was great. Our waiter had plenty of personality and the boys loved being the "drivers". We took the Great Movie Ride and were back to the room by 2:00 making our evening trip to Epcot much more successful. We enjoyed a few rides and Teppanyaki dining then watched Illuminations as we headed to park exit, so we could be the first to leave.
Day Four
Finally, MK Day. Before our 9:50 PS at Cindy's we were able to ride Winnie The Pooh and The Carousel with no waits. Although the wait was plenty long for our table. Aladdin was in the lobby to entertain us. The castle was a neat place to eat and the food was really good. Our boys were pretty shy around the princesses though. I'm glad we got to go, but I'm not going to go to any great lengths to get a PS next time.
Next we met some friends from Tampa who have two daughters, age 3 and 1. We headed over to Buzz Lightyear where DH scored a whopping 165,000. Next time he has to ride with younger brother who must have constant control of the cart. Then on to our longest wait of the entire trip....the race track...Absolutely not worth it.
Over in Toon town DS gets a space ranger face painting. This was absolutely of the highest priority for this boy, and he took it very seriously. After a quick lunch/snack we rode It's a Small World and Peter Pan's Flight and watched the Lion King show. Then we got a parade spot. I made the huge mistake of trying to take DS(2) back to the room after the parade. This was tough, but I had to do it. He had to sleep and I had to meet my sister at 4:00.
Our friends from Tampa managed to get the room right next to ours after three attempts. They refused the first two rooms they tried to give them. Why not offer the room right next to us to start with? I don't know.
Dinner at The Boma was wonderful. This was our best dinner...food, atmosphere, service, the whole package. My sister watched the sleeping babes while we had a drink in Victoria Falls lounge. Very nice and peaceful...
Day Five
We took the bus to MGM then the boat to the Boardwalk to eat at Spoodle's. Awesome breakfast. Definitely the best of the trip. I wish I could have spent more time in the Boardwalk area. It looks pretty neat. Took the bus to Blizzard Beach. Lots of fun. Wore us out. Went to Downtown Disney for dinner at Portobello's. It was expensive and just okay...not that kid friendly. Lego land was a nice little stop on the way back.
Day Six
Back to Magic Kingdom. This time we started in Future Land and everyone else did Buzz while I got FastPasses for Space Mtn. The Kids loved Astro Orbiter and of course SM was great for the adults. A quick tour through Mickey and Minnie's house then on to Haunted Mansion. DS (5) was leery but he endured and was irritated afterward. He was on an absolute mission to get to Frontierland, and why? Because he wanted to get a wooden rifle like Davy Crockett...Disney Magic indeed. How he knew they had those, I don't know, but he wasn't going to be able to enjoy anything else until he had the rifle. This was the only thing (except for face painting) that he asked for the entire week, so we obliged and had it sent to the front of the park. We got FPs for Splash Mtn and had lunch at Pecos Bills (wow what a condiments bar) then on to Country Bear Jamboree. DH and DSs went to Tom Sawyers Island while my sister and I rode Splash Mtn, and had a wonderful ride until the ride experienced technical difficulties and we got stuck for about 30 to 40 minutes. What is it about plume rides?
After hooking back up with a worn out DH we headed to Adventureland for the Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean then made it out of the park before the parade.
My sister then went for a solo evening at Epcot while we headed over to MGM for Fantasmic Dinner Package after a nap stop at the room.
Before Dinner at Brown Derby, we stopped by Rock and Roll Roller Coaster for FPs. Dinner was great but my FP was about to run out so while DH paid the check I ran over and rode the ride. Wow, what a ride...I barely held on to my dinner. We entered Fantasmic at 8:00 and struggled to control our kids for 30 minutes waiting for the show. I couldn't imagine how those parents had done it that had been waiting for two hours. Once the show started I could tell why everyone was compelled to wait...then Mickey fell down and the show was called off. Wow, what a disappointment. Oh well, this was our last night, so we didn't ask for a rain check, although, I'm pretty sure they issued them for other guests.
Day Seven
We had a wonderful breakfast at the Boma and then some pool time. Darcy arrived right on time to take us back to the airport. Our trip was great...can't wait to go back!!! We have so much more to do....
Our Disney World Online Album
