Monday, July 19, 2010

Disneyworld! May 2010

We just got back from Jackson Hole, Wy with my husband's family. I forgot my camera- but my sister in law emailed me some pics. Unfortunately blogger doesn't like the emailed pics so until I figure it out- I can't post about our refreshing trip to Jackson Hole. So I thought this would be a good time to work on blogging our trip to Disneyworld. I am warning you- This post is super long-(I should have broke it up into a lot of little posts.-) but at least it is finally done.
On the way there, Jack pulled out the emergency flight instructions all by himself and started studying them.

The first morning, we had a character breakfast with Mickey and gang. Jon and I got a kick outta their little waffles in the shape of Mickey's head.

The first day we went to the Magic Kingdom. Here is Nolan in front of a train ride roller coaster (forgot the name)

While we went on a couple of rides, like Splash Mountain, Grandma Sharon spoiled Jack with a big sucker. He was thrilled. When the other kids saw what he had he told them all about it. (in his jibber jabber talk) "yes...and then Gramma gave me this candy pop".... suck, suck, suck...... "and I really like it".....lick,lick,lick.... "I am so super thrilled that I got candy and all I did was just be cute" ...suck,lick,suck......


In Tomorrowland, we went on this race track in these go-cart type cars. Jon and Bridger were ahead of Nolan and I.We made sure we "accidentally" bumped them a couple of times-lol
I took a bunch of pics of Nolan driving cuz it looked too close to the truth. That he will be driving in just a few years. I am not sure if I like that.
It was so hot there. There were times whee the kid's faces got so red. We found a little fountain playground where we let the kids get a little wet and cool down.
My 3 oldest soon discovered that one of their fav rides were the teacups. I told Bridger a secret. I explained that when I was little (and we went to Disneyland) I didn't like the teacups cuz they always looked fast and scary. Bridger surprised me with his answer. He said, "But they're just so pretty!" (I agreed)
In the Animal Kingdom, they kids found the dinosaur-themed section to their liking!
Jack and Bridger loved this dino ride that went up in the air and around in a circle. We went on it many times and each time, Jack had a hard time exiting the ride. (can you say "big fit")
Everywhere we went, we took a bus. It was nice to relax on the bus and rest our tired feet.


Bridger and I had some time alone together. (I will talk about it later as Blogger isn't letting me move this pic with the other ones) But I wanted to post this pic cuz Bridger was so happy. He was just the right age to have his first experience in the Magic Kingdom. (I think we waited too long with our older 2)

One of our fav rides as a family was the Toy Story ride. You got to go around and shoot targets like a carnival game. Only it was all animated. So it was more like a big video game that you ride. Pretty dang sweet!
Unfortunately, we waited in line.....

and waited in line.......

and waited in line.....

and waited in line.....

This talking potato head was funny and toward the end, so we where glad when we reached him.....
and then took more pics.........
and more pics. Jack was being a booger during the whole 45 mins that we had to wait in line. He thought he could play on all the decorative toys that they had to look at. Oh man. It was tough. It felt more like waiting 3 hours. But way worth it in the end.

We went to Hollywood Studios (Like the universal studios of Disneyworld) We found this Star Wars Fighter and had to pose on it.
Carli had the funniest poses on her face. She was clearly in her element. Anything Star Wars.

I made Jon climb on and pose. He would never tell me- but i think it was a dream of his.-lol

Then we went to a show where they talked about how they put movies together with film footage. They asked Jon to be a volunteer- but sensing that he wasn't that comfortable- I said that I would do it. (They told me I would get wet- so I was more than happy to volunteer after walking around on a hot day in the unforgiving sun)

I was made the captain out of the 3 volunteers. I had to drive the ship, answer the phone and look through these big binoculars at the sky. (The scene was how we were on a ship that was being attacked- so water was splashing all around us) I didn't get as wet as I hoped but it was my 2 secs of being semi- famous (in front of like 50 people)

Then we walked around movie exhibits. Carli and Jon couldn't resist having their picture taken by Darth Vader. (I think it was the force)

I thought the Pirates of the Caribbean exhibit was cool!

The kids posing by this painted wall in Hollywood Studios.

We had an amazing view from our hotel. We stayed at the Animal Kingdom Hotel in Kidani Village.
There were all kinds of animals outside throughout the day. Giraffes, Ostriches, Kuddos, and other african animals.


Jack coulda watched the animals all day and after had a small obsession with giraffes.


Idon't remember what these bull/steer things were called. But they looked cool.

Bridger had a hard time being drug around to all of the rides and shows. He liked being there, but after rides like the Haunted house and Splash Mountain he developed anxiety about each ride that we pulled him on wether he like it or not. He kept asking to go on rides that we went on the first day in Magic Kingdom. Finally, everyone was tired one night and wanted to leave. Bridger and I stayed behind and I told him that he could choose the rides and go on any ride he wanted. He just came alive. He is at that fabulous age where the magic kingdom really is magic to him.
His favorite ride was Small World. He talked throughout the whole thing and I realized that it had been awhile since Bridger had my full undivided attention without his little brother running the show.
Then we went on the Carousel. I haven't been on one in years. I think it musta been his first (real) one. At the end of the night they had a big fireworks show. We were trying to leave before the park closed and we were held up in swarms of people. We finally got on our crowed bus and got one seat to share. I told Bridger that we would cuddle all the way home. It was such a special night for just the 2 of us. I have such a sweet and loving boy!

I think these pics are from Hollywood studios. The kids wanted to see the "Honey we Shrunk the Kids" playground. Jack had a blast! I remember when that movie came out. (Dang! How old am I?)



I think these are more pics from the Dino experience in the animal kingdom. (Sorry- Like I said before- blogger is being a booger about me moving pics around)



They had a whole nemo experience at epcot. The kids thought they were pretty cute in Bruce's (the Shark's) Mouth
I loved seeing all the bushes cut like Disney movie Characters.
Peter Pan and Captain Hook
(and me and Jon)
Cinderella and Prince Charming. (One of my favorites)
We rented Jack a stroller like this everday. He fell asleep in it almost everyday. The heat, long days and walking that we all did wore him out.
We went to a restaurant called Teppan Edo in the Jappanese- themed part in Epcot. I had never been to Benny Hannah's but appartly it was the same idea. We were loosing the kids attention that day. So this was a nice treat. They were all watching the (cooking) show.
Here was our chef. She was adorable. Hard to understand with her accent, but she had so much energy!
I am pretty sure the kiddos weren't supposed to play on this display (um...oops)

There was a Norweigin ride in Epcot that we thought was pretty neat. Jack loved the gift shop afterwards. I think Jack was born to be a viking and fight trolls.

Here we are at Epcot. The sun was just going down as we were walking away from all of the different countries that make up part of Epcot. You can see them accross the lake behind Nolan.
Jack was getting restless on the return flight so I pulled out a treat. I thinkk he looked at it for a full 5 mins before sinking his teeth into it.
We had so much fun and the kids still talk about it months later. Bridger was so frightened but also fascinated by the Haunted House. When he turned 6 last month, he informed me that now he could go on the haunted house cuz he is now 6 and won't be scared anymore. I think we are all ready to go back!