An email from my friend

[Aliceacc]

She just returned from a week on the 4/3 with her husband and 4 year old son.

"Wow! Where to begin????

First, thank you for all the pre-trip information; so much of it helped us immeasurably! Second, we loved the e-mail you sent us today. It's the one I found here somewhere, about Disney dedicating the park to you for a day. Petey didn't know what to make of it. He was confused, then impressed, then asked if we could go back to Disney tomorrow--ha, ha!

We tried to do as much as we could in 7 days, but I'm sure we missed so much nonetheless. Some highlights included the Playhouse Disney show and the Indiana Jones Stunt Show at Hollywood Studios (along with Toy Story Mania). At Animal Kingdom, we all did Mount Everest (big mistake), the safari (awesome), and the Palandari Forest (amazing gorillas). Another big hit day! At Epcot, we tackled Mission Space (a real stomach turner) and some other "space" related venues before meandering through all of the countries (with a pit stop in Mexico so that big Pete could have a margarita). We visited the Magic Kingdom on two separate occasions and, still, we didn't conquer all of it. Petey loved the Monsters Inc. comedy show, climbing the treehouse from the Swiss Family Robinson's, and going on the Winnie the Pooh ride. He REALLY liked running around in the Hundred Acre Wood right outside of the Pooh ride. Another highlight was our trip to Tom Sawyer Island and our exploration there (my favorite too). It seems crazy, but the things he most enjoyed were the simplest ones: playing in the playground, exploring the island, climbing up the fort, pretending to be the lookout at the rifle roost. All the bells and whistles are exciting and thrilling, but he mostly loved the areas where he could roam and let his imagination go wild.

I still can't get over how beautiful everything was and how clean! It truly is a magical place.

I do wonder if I should have waited until he was a bit older before going on this trip though, mainly because he was afraid of some of the attractions and shied away from many of the rides. Plus, he hasn't really seen many Disney movies so some things totally went over his head. Overall, it was still an INCREDIBLE vacation--just to be outside in shorts and t-shirts was amazing. We even swam 5 of the 7 days (crazy to think we're getting rain/snow tonight)!!!

Thanks to you for all the great hints and advice you gave us! I have the fanny pack to return, and I'll show you our pictures when we get them developed. I have a folder of all of your information, plus the brochures we picked up from our trip, and will put it all together in a scrap book with the hope that we will be heading back to Orlando some time within the next two-three years!!

Thanks again,
Cathy
P.S. I forgot to mention we also went to Downtown Disney, and he had a ball at the Lego factory there!

P.P.S.S. Next time, I think we'll do a meal plan. We got killed on food expenses.

P.P.P.S.S.S. I forgot to mention that the Animal Kingdom Lodge was BEYOND OUR WILDEST (no pun intended) dreams. Can't wait to show you those pictures!

 

[Frankiesmom]

That's so sweet! What a nice friend you are; and what a nice friend you have to thank you so warmly!

 

[Aliceacc]

She is probably one of the best English teachers I've ever met (aside from my husband, of course.) And she planned this pretty much spur of the moment, about a month before going, when she heard of the 4/3 deal.

Anyway, I'm always interested in hearing of other's impressions-- what worked and what didn't for their families. So I thought I would share.

 

[anabelle]

That is a sweet note. My friends just get this glazed look in their eyes when I offer to help them plan their trips.