Blessed by Two: Disney- Part 3

On to the final two days at Disney World. Since we had visited all the parks we decided to go back to our favorites. On day 5 we re-visited the Animal Kingdom. This was the day that both children decided to both have a huge tantrum at the same time. (I think they were tired and not feeling great). They both cried and screamed all the way to the park and while we waited for our breakfast meal to start. On this morning we went to the Tusker House for Donalds' safari. The kids finally got to meet Daisy Duck, after missing her here and there all week, so they were excited about that. However, it was a difficult breakfast and Paxton's mouth was really hurting so we had just about decided to go back to the room when we found Ballou and another character from the Jungle Book. Paxton was really excited to meet them because he loves that movie, Lorelei on the other hand was not thrilled and did not care to meet them. After that we found some big African drums for the kids to play and things started looking up.

We decided to let Josh and Paxton ride the Kali River Rapids and they loved it and were soaked (did I mention that already- I am losing track). We met up with Combees and Paxton and I went over to ride Dinosaurs while Josh and Lorelei took on a gentler ride. Ok, this is a truly scary ride. Paxton had already done it with Josh but I had no idea what it was like. It just jerked us all around and dinosaurs and meteors were all jumping out at you through the ride. I kept my eyes closed and my arms around Paxton and over his eyes the whole time. You should see the picture of us they took on the ride. We are all hunched over in the back looking like scaredy cats- and this mama was! We also got to enjoy the Festival of the Lion King again- which was fabulous! We hit a few more rides and called it a day for the parks.

That evening we went to Downtown Disney. This is like a huge town with speciality restaurants, shops, shows, etc but is is open to the public- no admission required. We had dinner reservations at Wolfgang Puck's and it was my favorite place that we ate at all week. Yummy! The kids loved the smiley faced fries as well. We took on some of the stores and walked around. It is a really neat place and you could really spend a whole day just there.

Last day of Disney. We went back of course to the Magic Kingdom! We started our day by getting there early with Early Morning Magic Hours (everyday one park opens early or late for Disney resort guests only) and riding all the rides in Fantasyland- no wait at all. Then we headed over to what Lorelei had been waiting for all week- Cinderella's castle. She was in her Cinderella gown and one of the ladies from the Bibbidi Boppity Boutique even came over and sprinkled her with fairy dust (we couldn't do the BBB this year because Lorelei was not old enough). Lorelei got to get her picture taken with Cinderella and then we headed upstairs in the castle to eat at Cinderella's Royal Table. This was a great meal and great service! We got to meet all the Princesses again and all the girls got magic wands and the boys got swords. Each child also got a wishing star and we had a magical ceremony to make wishes! Just too too cool, is all I can say- Lorelei adored it all!

After our breakfast we went and did some rides we didn't make it to the first time, like the Jungle Cruise and Thunder Mountain. Paxton also got to play swords with Captain Hook and Mr. Smee and then he got to meet Peter Pan and Wendy and wear Peter's hat! We rode Pirates of the Caribbean and Paxton got to watch Jack Sparrow (and I am telling you he REALLY looked like Jack Sparrow) do some pirate acts! We also got to go meet Mary Poppins and Bert. We are big Mary Poppins fans here! The day at the park ended after we rode Splash Mountain. Lorelei didn't ride (Cheri was watching her and Wade) but she had just woken up from a 2 hour nap in the stroller. I thought maybe she didn't feel good. . . I had this feeling. . . vomit. . . yes, always trust your instincts moms! Lorelei threw up all over me and herself, making a huge mess. Hey, we did clear the area pretty fast though. Of course we were at the back of the park and she threw up 4 more times before we could make it out. Poor baby and poor smelly mama!

We went back to the room, gave her some Zophran (wonderful stuff) and Motrin and she was perfectly fine. We decided to go ahead and take her to our last dinner at the Grand Floridian (Disney's flagship resort). We ate at Narcosses(?) overlooking the water. It was also VERY good! After dinner we rode the boat back to Disney for the final spectacular event. We got there just in time to see part of Disney's Spectomagic Parade (everything, people included, are decked in lights) and then we go to see got see Wishes, which is the Magic Kingdom's firework display. They even had Tinkerbell flying from the castle down into the park- too amazing. The firework's show was a great end to our wonderful week!

Wow! Did we ever have a blast! We cannot wait to go back, not sure when, but even Josh, who was not thinking he would enjoy this trip, had a fabulous time! We did so much and yet there is so much we didn't even get to. I feel more "experienced"now but I know you learn more every time you go back. One thing for sure, I planned and planned for this trip and I am so glad that I did. Of course this is my nature, but I carried around a notebook with schedules and time lines I had produced along with other tips and things to help us. I think it would be difficult to just "do" Disney without the thorough planning. Anyway, I will share these pictures with you all today but I will be getting more soon from our Disney CD- these photos will be more professional than ours. I will post them when I get them but for now enjoy these.

Animal Kingdom: Tusker House Donald's Safari Breakfast