Our First Family Trip to Disney

We did it and survived!! We’re back from our trip to Disney and had a fantastic time. We covered most of the major parks – Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. We saw Mickey, Donald, the Incredibles and, most importantly, Buzz Lightyear (and Woody!). We ate at fantastic restaurants including the Flying Fish Café at the Boardwalk, Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Coral Reef at Epcot. Since we were there to celebrate Nanny and Poppa’s 25th Anniversary they ate at Victoria and Albert’s, Disney’s #1 exclusive restaurant and were treated like royalty. We stayed right on Disney at the Wilderness Lodge and it was a completely different experience. I have a whole new respect for Walt and am still truly amazed of the empire that he created and the level of service we received during our entire trip. Besides spending some great quality time with everyone, the highlight for me was seeing Jackson’s reaction to the whole thing.

I know it’s cliché to be enamored with the view from a child’s eye, but its fun to see things from that perspective every now and then. For example, it never occurred to me that Jack would think the characters we “met” were real. Or that the very fake looking animals in our safari ride were real. The poor kid was scared to death of so many things while we were there since he couldn’t grasp the concept that it fake. There’s an upside to viewing things like that – his new favorite character is Buzz Lightyear(who he stood on line to meet 6 times). At one point he had just finished meeting Buzz and then went on a Buzz Lightyear ride…well he couldn’t figure out how Buzz got from the place he just met him to inside the ride so fast! Speaking of Buzz, I thought the first time Jack met him he was going to pass out. You have to remember that he thinks he’s actually meeting the REAL Buzz Lightyear. So Gene and Jack wait on line to meet him and when it’s finally his turn he got completely star struck. Couldn’t say a word and just stared at him with an open mouth. Right after his turn was over Nanny & Poppa bought him a shirt with Buzz on it. Of course, we immediately had to wait on line again because Jackson had 2 questions he needed to ask Buzz. “Number 1 – Buzz, where’s your helmet?” (The character’s costume had the helmet pulled back.) “Number 2 – Buzz, I’m wearing your shirt.” So cute! Another day at the Magic Kingdom we went to a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse show (which was actually a lot of fun) and the host of the show asked all the kids to shout their names out and, without hesitation, Jack yelled out “Buzz Lightyear!”

Now, I certainly can’t leave Miles out of all this. Although he didn’t seem to care too much about the trip itself (he is only 6 months old!) he definitely wins the Tourist of the Year award. Even in the 95 degree heat, stuck in a stroller for most of the day with his helmet on, he never once fussed, complained or made an unhappy peep. He just hung out looking at all the people and just smiled away. We really are so lucky to have 2 great kids!

There were so many great times on this trip I can’t possibly jot them all down. It was a truly great trip and a really special way to celebrate a milestone anniversary. Thanks again Nanny & Poppa!!

(Once I can figure out how to upload some pics I’ll definitely add them.)