Let me start off by telling you that I bought a book called "Disney World with Kids 2011" and started reading it when we sat down in the plane. (It really is a good book - I used the 2010 version to plan last year's trip.) So the plane is pulling away from the gate as I read the following: "January, with the exception of MLK birthday weekend, is a great time to go to Disney." Oops. Last year we went in January and it was awesome - literally no crowds and no lines. This time was very crowded but the weather was still amazing so it wasn't nearly as bad as going in the summer. So when we recommend you go in January, let's add this disclaimer...any time in January except MLK weekend. :) Also, if you buy a book you should probably read it before you sit down on the plane...call me Type A. But we still had a great time!
On Friday afternoon, we saw my Uncle Wes who is recovering from knee surgery in a rehab hospital. Caroline brought him some acorns from outside. It was great to see them talk because it was their first time to meet. She had a lot to tell him about how she was going to see the princesses and Minnie. Kevin and I haven't seen Uncle Wes since our wedding so it was great to see him again.
Friday evening, we had dinner with my Dad's side of the family - his two sisters and their kids and grandkids.
Here I am with my cousin's wife, Mindy.
My dad and his sister, "Aunt Coke".
Poor Caroline only had six adults giving her their undivided attention. Bless her heart.
All of us after dinner...it was so fun to get to see everyone two years in a row.
Caroline and Maci playing with the jack-in-the-boxes.
Saturday morning we started off our trip on the right foot - Breakfast at Cape May with Minnie, Goofy, and Donald.
Caroline colored a picture of Minnie to give to Minnie when she saw her. In this picture, Caroline is watching Minnie walk towards her while holding the picture to give her. I love the look of anticipation on her face...priceless.
Giving Minnie the picture she colored
Caroline, Minnie, and the picture.
While we usually don't do the family photo with the characters, we all took one with Minnie since she is Caroline's very favorite character.
Caroline was scared of Donald last year at Disney. This year she loved him! He was a prankster at breakfast - he messed up Nana and Caroline's hair and picked on Caroline.
We spent the first whole day at Magic Kingdom...my parents grew up in Orlando when Disney World was being built. They enjoyed seeing that so much of Magic Kingdom is still the same.
Watching the parade and waving at Cinderella and Prince Charming.
Mid-day on the first day, Caroline fell asleep on the bus on the way back to the hotel for her nap.
Back to MK for the evening. If you've never seen the fireworks at Magic Kingdom over Cinderella's castle, you need to. Its absolutely breathtaking. (Don't worry, I can send you the 10 minute video I took if you're interested...that's how much I love it!)
Sometimes Tinkerbell flies from the top of the castle across the park...and we saw her fly two times when we were there - so neat!
This year's trip could be summed up with the following four words..."Dumbo and Tea Cups". Caroline couldn't ride the Dumbo ride or the tea cups enough...she loved them!
Walking into It's A Small World.
Epcot
Sunday morning, we had breakfast with the Princesses. When we were packing in San Antonio Caroline told me she didn't want to bring a princess dress. I was shocked but a little happy since I didn't have much room in the suitcase. Thankfully, my cousin's daughter Maci let Caroline pick out a princess dress to wear when we did the princess breakfast. Since Caroline doesn't have a Snow White dress at home, she happily chose that one.
That morning she also received her souvenir from Nana and Papa. Introducing Duffy, the new Disney bear...Caroline is in love with it.
Ring-a-round-the-rosy with Nana, Papa, and Duffy before breakfast.
Enter the princesses...
Last year Caroline was in awe of the princesses. This year, she was still in awe but she was more excited and talkative. It was so funny watching her talk to them and find something in common with each princess...so I guess my business networking class in college is paying off for Caroline. We had to tell her to stop talking so they could talk to other children. The same applied for all of the characters.
Walking at Epcot, Caroline was sleepy but wouldn't let go of her goldfish bag.
While at Epcot we did the Nemo ride (one of my favorites) and went to the Crush the Turtle show. If you go to Epcot you have to do both of those things...Crush was hilarious!!
On the water taxi on the way back to the hotel for nap time.
At lunch Caroline ordered white wine and we had to explain that she meant milk. Thankfully the waitress brought the milk in a wine glass so Caroline was really excited.
More tea cups.
At one of the 3D shows. We decided baby needed 3D glass...and so did the baby in Caroline's belly. :)
Cinderella's carousel.
Hollywood Studios
We rode the brand new Toy Story Mania ride and it was a lot of fun. If we hadn't waited in line for 45-60 minutes we probably would have done it again.
When Caroline talked to this Mickey she was very concerned with why he was wearing that hat and wouldn't stop asking him. Yet another time we had to pull her away from a character.
Caroline doesn't even watch Little Einsteins but she really liked June's earrings and kept asking her why she was wearing them.
Our last afternoon at Magic Kingdom...
We took Caroline to Toontown in MK the last night to ride her first roller coaster, Goofy's Barnstormer. It didn't go well. She was scared the first time she rode it but said she wanted to try again. After the second time, she was crying and saying "I never want to ride a roller coaster again." (Maybe she is my child after all.) Regardless, we are really proud that she tried it...two times!
After the roller coaster, we took her to the character spot for the princesses and fairies. Kevin waited with her in the princess like and I waited in the fairy line so she could cut in line with me after seeing the princesses...good parenting, right?
Here she is with the princesses...
Then the coolest thing that could happen to a 4 year old girl who is in love with the princesses happened...The lady who ran the princess area pulled Kevin aside and asked if she could talk to him. She said the princesses really liked Caroline and wanted to spend more time with her. The lady told Kevin to wait while they moved the other little girls out of the princess area. And then, Caroline sat around with Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Belle all by herself. Kevin videoed it with our Flip so I may put that clip on later.
Again, they kneel down and so did Caroline.
This might be the happiest moment of Caroline's life so far.
Meanwhile the fairies were disappointing again this year. Caroline had barely walked away from Tinkerbell when she asked if she could have her lollipop back. Ha. Plus Caroline was concerned that the fairies were big when they are supposed to be really small.
Tinkerbell and Caroline kneeling...
My one turn on the tea cups...I only rode one time. I get motion sick anyway so I figured adding on a pregnancy wouldn't make for much fun on the tea cups.
After our final night at MK we went for a nice, relaxing Italian dinner...and Caroline fell asleep on the chairs while we ate. You know she's tired when she actually admits to being sleepy and wants to lay down.
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