Being the ninth of eleven children, our vacations generally consisted of a 4 hour road trip to Utah to pick up plaster for my dad's work. We'd stay in a hotel and swim in the pool. Honestly, I didn't know any better and really have some fond (and some less fond) memories from those days. But one place I've always wanted to visit was Disney World.
So, with the encouragement of our good friends, Chuck and Alecia (to say they're Disney fans is an understatement) we went and had a wonderful time. The place really is magical.
A few of my favorite highlights:
- We went to a lunch with 5 princesses--Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine, Ariel, and Cinderella. During the lunch we had a young server from Norway. Apparently the girls thought he was pretty cute because after he walked away from our table having taken our order, Kate leaned across the table and asked, "Mom.....whose prince is he?"
- The Buzz Lightyear ride. I could've done that dozens of times. After the first ride the girls asked if we could go on it again, and "could I please let them use the guns to shoot Zurg's guys this time."
- There was one day it was particularly hot. There was a water fountain/splash pad thing in the middle of Epcot. We were fully clothed and had just eaten with the princesses, but I suggested they take a run through it to cool off. We stayed there for about an hour. I think it was their favorite part of that park.
- "Turtle Talk" with Crush from Finding Nemo. I can't really explain that one...just that it was a very cute interactive show that they still talk about. Anna lets everyone know that Dory taught her how to speak whale.
- Mickey's Philharmagic. It's a 3D show (and it came highly recommended by Afton). Watching the girls reach out to touch the characters was so adorable.
- Cinderella's castle. And the fireworks.
Whoa, get ready for some pictures! This first one was my favorite from the whole trip. It's from our Princess lunch. Anna had just caught sight of Sleeping Beauty coming around the corner. I'm pretty sure she was excited.
This picture with Buzz was the first that either of them looked like something other than a deer in the headlights. Way to bust out of your shell, Anna. Thumbs up!
Anna, waiting for the 3D show.
Under the "Tree of Life" in Animal Kingdom
I think Anna asked us thirty times when we were going to Cinderella's castle.
This would be the teacups. I was ill from looking through a camera while on this ride.
But Kate loved it.
Ha ha...Kate trying to pull the sword from the stone.
Even with all that effort, it didn't budge.
The castle at night. We loved watching it change colors.
This was my favorite, right before the fireworks.
We had a wonderful time and are so glad to have the memories.
18 comments:
What fun! Disneyland is always a magical place! I would love to go at night to see the lights! Glad you had fun and it looks like your kids did too. No pics of Luke? Did he join with you at the princess lunch?
looks like a blast! i love the pics. can't wait to take the kiddos.
I didn't think I would ever want to go back to Disneyland but after that post I'm tempted. Only it has to be with Anna and Kate! They make it look so fun!! Those pics are fantastic!!
Hey! We're going to Disney World on Wednesday! Our memories are going to be a little different with Seth and Nicolas (Halloween things and Star Wars costumes instead of princesses) but we are planning to have a great time too. Couldn't we have timed it better? What a great place for a little reunion!
FINALLY thats all I got to say! I've been checking 20 times a day for pics! I love the first one and Anna sticking her thumbs up with Buzz is sweeeet! Turtle talk is one of my faves too! I miss you guys so much! I'll be home in a few weeksss!!
Magical isn't it. We went a year ago and though the kids were still a little too young to really "get it" we had a fabulous time. I'm not sure who enjoyed it more though, the kids or me watching the kids.
Seriously awesome pictures of totally cute kids. I laughed at your vacation experiences growing up. I have the same memories of loading up the 'burb and driving somewhere and just being happy to be out of the car when we got there. It took me a long time to understand that hotel rooms were not meant to be shared with 10 people. Were you amazed at the size of the Disney compound? We went on a Disney cruise last year (highly recommend it) and just drove through all of the resorts on the way. I was overwhelmed. It looks like you all had such a great time. And I am thinking that someday you, me and Mindy need to get together!
Also, I love what you said about home schooling. Ha Ha. I am sure that you are one of those hip anti-establishment moms and not the wierd anti-social ones that fit the stereotype. I seriously admire people who have the type of relationship with their kids that can handle adding school into the mix. I wish my kids would take me seriously enough to listen better.
Okay. Sorry about the novel! You are just going to have to stop in Cincy if you ever pass through and I will jut talk your ear off!
How fun for you guys! We lived near LA a few years ago and bought season passes to Disneyland. It ended up being labeled as our weekly "park day."
You would think we would get sick of the place, but we always had the best time. The one great thing was we weren't in any hurry to hit up all the rides.
I laughed at your Buzz Lightyear comment and the girls asking you to let them use the gun. I love that ride, and my kids did the same thing with me.
Oh how fun! Wish we could have gotten together with you. A friend from our ward is Ariel. I've never done the princess lunch, but I hear it's a blast. GREAT pictures as always.
I love your photos (as usual!), and love the fact that they are at Disney! We are humongous Disneyland/World fanatics at our house. We go every year to get our "fix". That pic of Kate and the sword is so great. What a classic! Looks like you all had a fantastic time.... but how could you not, it's Disney World! (Actually, I'll tell you how you can go and NOT have a good time - never go to Disney World when you are 9 weeks pregnant if you have pregnancies like mine. Yes, it was the trip from _____. Not only could I not ride any of the 'fun' rides due to the pregnancy but I was throwing up every 30 minutes for the entire trip! That makes for a bad, BAD Disney experience.)
Oh yeah! I've been anxious to show the girls some pics of your trip! They were so excited to see them!!
oh how fun! the girls look like they had a great time. i'm so glad you got to go!
That looks like so much fun! It makes me want to go so bad! Our kids would love it!
What a great trip! I'm so glad you finally were able to experience the Magic. I've been to Disney World once when I was younger and would love to take the kids back...someday! For now, since Disneyland is so close, we'll stick to CA.
Awesome pics, I love the ones of the girls in the fountain! It looks like so much fun! One of these days we'll get there, one of these days!
jonah's asking me (like he has a thousand times before) when we should go to disneyland. i keep telling him when char gets a little older. i have to admit, i've never been a huge fan, but your pictures are pretty convincing! maybe next year jonah!
Nicole,
I was so excited to see your pics after talking to you about your trip! They are gorgeous! The girls many faces are priceless, thank goodness they have such a fabulous photgrapher for a mommy to catch them!
Oh my gosh, those pictures are the cutest things ever. You will cherish those pictures forever! Those girls are so cute! And they're starting to look more like each other with each passing month.
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