Roadtrip! - Part 2

Sooo, if you didn't get around to reading the first part of the roadtrip saga..it's here.

Continuing with Disney (and please forgive me..I remember the names of most of the rides, but not what parks they were in!)  The Tower of Terror.  I SO loved this ride.  It was based on the Twilight Zone (one of my faaavorite tv shows) and the inside of the ride itself was set up like a beautiful hotel from the early 1900's.  (Of course, I noticed the vintage purses and gloves used for decorations..the menfolk seemed to find that amusing..)  There was a whole story about it (in twilight zone-film style), how a bunch of people got on an elevator and it was struck by lightening and now their ghosts inhabit it.  It was terrifying and totally believable.

Sort of difficult to get pictures of the rides themselves, but this is the ride entrance..

My wee one, who is 7, was a trooper on this ride.  After, she decided she was SO tough, it warranted getting a tattoo of "Scar" from the Lion King. 

Very "Rosie the Riveter" ;-)

We also went on a totally amazing Star Wars ride.  (Full Disclosure, I am a Sci-Fi Geek.  I LOVED this ride.)  One of the best things about the parks was that you never felt like you were waiting in line for too long.  There was always something fun to look at, or even games to play, while you waited.

The characters behind this "door" kept changing as if they were walking around on the ship.

Speeder Bikes!

In keeping with the theme of "scary rides" we also went into the Haunted Mansion.  It was based on the Disney Movie of the same name, and it was SO much fun!  It was more entertaining than frightening, and at the end of the ride there was a big mirror that reflected my husband and myself with our heads reversed by a mischievous ghost :)

Scary Ghost faces

Nonchalant "Tweens" hanging out by a tombstone

I loved this guys face :)

All these things were interactive!  You could "play" this organ by touching it while you were waiting in line for the ride.

In Epcot Center, I got to eat in "France", tartines and cream puffs..mmmmmm...

Our last day at Disney, we took the ferry over to Magic Kingdom.  It was definitely magical.  (My husband mentioned that the cheerful music they pipe through the park makes it impossible to be grouchy!)  We got to see the iconic Disney Castle and the statue of Mickey and Walt.

The infamous "Man" and my wee one on the ferry ride

Castle

Posing with Mickey and Walt

One the way back from magic kingdom, a little boy about 4 years old stared at me the whole ride..The Man speculates he thought I was Snow White trying to make a run for it ;)

My best Snow White impression ;)

Phew!  That's a lot to cram into one post!  Finale post coming up later with pictures from our little stop in DC on the ride home..I leave you with this short video of the road trip song/dance my wee one made up, inspired by the bugs smooshed on our windshield..


                                                      Hugs and Smooches, D

Roadtrip! - Part 1

My folks (who are awesome, just for the record) gave my little family a Disney vacation for Christmas this year.  It was scheduled for last week (which is April school vacation for my kiddos) and, ohhh boy, did we have a fantastic time!  I have so much great stuff to share with you that I'm going to have to break it down into two posts!

First up..we drove.  From NH to FL.  (A 24hr drive, in case you were wondering..)  I know, I know, you're thinking we're nuts.  But I have to tell you, in all honesty, my kiddos are FANTASTIC road trip buddies.  They sleep, chat with us or read.  There wasn't a single complaint.

Roadtrip Buddies

Disney or Bust!

On the trip down, we made it as far as South Carolina and just ran out of steam.  So we stopped at a lovely Inn where we were absolutely charmed by the southern hospitality.  (Fun story..my hubby, Brandon,  LOVES Arby's, and since there was one across the street from the Inn, we indulged him and went there for dinner.  When the lovely woman at the counter took his order, she asked for his name so she could call him when it was ready.  When our food came out, she called out "Mr. Brandon, your food is ready".  He was so tickled by the "Mr." he demanded we call him Mr. Brandon for the rest of the trip ;)

The next day, we finished the last 7 hours of our drive and landed in FL at the GORGEOUS condo we were staying at with family (we had the great pleasure of traveling with friends, cousins, aunties, uncles and my cousins' lovely Nana <3)  There were 16 of us total, 11 adults and 5 kiddos, and there was plenty of room for all of us AND our very own private pool and hot tub!

The condo

Kid's room

Living Room

Sitting Room

One of the bedrooms (I loved the swan :)

My girls and their cousins testing out the pool

Our first day of Disney, we went to Animal Kingdom.  I have never seen such amazing animals so close up!  We rode on the Safari and saw elephants, lions, hippos, giraffes, crocodiles and gazelles.  We also got to see some beautiful birds (including a gorgeous parrot!) and gorillas.  I was so impressed with the beautiful habitat that had been created for these animals and how much freedom and space they had!

Tree of life Garden

Hippo!  There was a glass panel built into the side of his pond so you could see him swim!

Polly wanna cracker?

These trees were just breathtaking

Rhino

Crocs

..sooo..remember when I said it would take up two posts?  It might take 3..as I was editing these, I realized that (in addition to 3 other Disney parks)  I had also taken OOODLES of pictures at the American History Museum on our trip home (including some pin ups and pictures of the First Ladies Inaugural gowns!)  More to come!

Hugs and Smooches,
D