Family picture in front of the castle on the first night. We got to Orlando in the evening and headed straight to the Magic Kingdom to see the castle, ride a few rides and check out the fireworks. The kids both got welcome packages when we got to the hotel that had mickey ears, candy and snacks and autograph books and pens. The thought that was just fantastic - a present as soon as you get there!
Riding the teacups with Daddy.
The rather large, overpriced balloons we got on our first night. Abby and Beau gave them away on our last night to some other kids that had just got there, which was fun to get to see them do.
Cinderella's castle all decked out for Christmas. It really was breathtaking.
Watching one of the parades at the Magic Kingdom. We got to see one during the day time and we also saw one at night called Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade and Party. The rides were open late, there was an unbelievable parade, real snow on Main Street, and free hot chocolate and cookies at different spots throughout the park. Abby got to see Belle and get her picture taken with Belle and the Beast in their Christmas attire, which was a big highlight for her.
Riding the carousel.
Posing with Daddy.Epcot
One sleepy boy.
One excited girl. This is the start of our day at Epcot. It was a really fun day, despite the rain for the first few hours.
This one's for you, Mimi! We had lunch at Akershif in Norway at Epcot with the princesses. Belle, Jasmine, Arielle, and Cinderella were all there and came to our table to talk with us and have pictures taken with us. Abby had a birthday cake delivered to her there as well. She got to wear a birthday button all week so everywhere we went people told her Happy Birthday, announced it over loud speakers, gave her free cake, tattoos, stickers, etc.
On the streets of America saying the Pledge of Allegiance and singing the National Anthem.
Riding in a Disney Stroller.The Animal Kingdom
This was a safari ride that was fantastic. You get on the big ol' safari bus and ride all over the place and see all different kinds of real animals. It was great, and almost like getting to ride in a car in a zoo behind the fences. The kids loved it, especially Beau.
Beau posing in front to a mountain in the Animal Kingdom. There is actually a big roller coaster in the mountain that Abby rode with Toby!!
Riding a dinosaur ride in Dino-land
More animals...family picture.
Exhausted. He sacked out right before the parade at the Animal Kingdom, which was really great. We started off our day at a character breakfast there with Mickey and crew, so Beau was totally wiped by mid-afternoon.
The Tree of Life
Abby won this dinosaur playing a game with her daddy in Dino-land and was so proud of it! Check out all of her gear - birthday button, 1st Disney trip button, Snow White pin, and all access pass to the Animal Kingdom. MGM
We were beyond excited that Aunt Jody was able to fly down and meet us there for a few days. The kids adore her (a picture is worth a thousand words, right?)! She was tons of help with the kids and got to witness their very first Disney experience, which I can guarantee can not be put into words!
We went and ate lunch at the 50s Primetime Cafe' and it was so much fun. The whole place is set like it is in the 50s, and the waiters get onto you for elbows on the table, etc. They are very obnoxious and funny, making you eat your vegetables,etc. This is a picture of our waiter singing Happy Birthday to Abby really, really off key, which was hilarious. Abby just thought he was the funniest lunatic ever, as you can tell in the picture. Oh, and Jody and I highly recommend the smores dessert...
Beau in front of the Casa Della Tires sign on the Cars lot. He got to see Lightning McQueen and Mater which was pretty much the highlight of his trip.
This is a picture at the Osborne Family lights display, which was incredible. I have never seen more lights in my entire life.
Abby strapped to the Toy Story rocket.
We saw tons of characters. Here are a lot of the character pictures, though, believe it or not, not all of them! Snow White was by far Abby's favorite, and the Cars were by far Beau's. We have many an autograph in the books in case anyone ever wants to see all of their signatures:)
We had a fantastic 5 days there, and I would not trade the memories we made or the looks on the kids' faces for anything! I would highly recommend a trip there to anyone considering it, especially while your kids still believe!!!
