Disney Magic 2016

Well, we are back from Disney (though I wish we were still there) and I am just looking at all my pictures and reliving all the fun! The days before we left were a little stressful due to the pool backwashing into our bathroom and closet, but once we finally got there it was a dream.  We stayed at the Polynesian Resort Villas through DVC and it was just like being in Hawaii!  Palm trees everywhere, a great pool, great splash area, and right across the lake from Magic Kingdom.  We arrived Saturday night and headed straight to dinner at Chef Mickeys at the Contemporary Resort.  It was fun for the kids to see all their fav’s (Mickey, Goofy, Pluto, Donald) right off the bat. The food was pretty good, but Ill give the atmosphere a 5/10.  We then played at one of the MANY Disney stores and headed back to get an early bedtime for an early morning the next day!  We got to Magic Kingdom at 8:30 so we were able to see them open the park.  I love that little show they do.  I also rediscovered Florida humidity.  That was the hottest day we had there, and it took my camera a good 45 minutes to thaw out from the cold, dry hotel room to hot, humid florida.  Lesson learned!  So, from then I set my camera case out on the porch as soon as I woke up so it had time to adjust to Florida in September ;) We headed straight to do some of the busy, but smaller rides like Under the Sea, Astro Orbiter and Winnie the Pooh.  Chase loved the Peter Pan ride!  And very unsurprisingly, they both loved Seven Dwarfs which we road every day we were at MK.  We lunched at our fav. spot from last time, Columbia Harbor House.  Note to self- Chase does NOT like fish sticks ;)  We hit all the major rides, other favorites being Splash Mountain, Tomorrowland Speedway, Buzz Lightyear (the little version of Toy Story Mania at Hollywood), Dumbo, Barnstormer, and Tea Cups.  It was a great day of Disney and the kids loved every minute. Chase decided (very strangely) that he was scared of splash mountain after the first few times but we still road it every day at MK.   The Bob stroller was KEY as we were on a mission with our schedule so we didnt every have to wait long in line everywhere.  I think the max time we waited in line all week was about 15 minutes (though we spend countless hours running/walking from one side of the park to the other)  We had dinner at Crystal Palace (which is actually in MK) right off Main Street.  It was a really fun atmosphere with Winnie the Pooh, Eyore, Piglet, and Tigger.  Then hope to bed for our first of many 8am breakfasts the next day.  We had breakfast at Hollywood and Vine with all the Disney Jr pals.  It was pretty sweet since both the kids still love Doc McStuffins, Sophia and Jake.  Then we RAN to Toy Story Mania, one of our very favorite rides, and did it twice!  Once right when the park opened, and a second time with our fast pass.  Score. I think we ended up doing TSM about 5-6 times that day.  We also got Chase all signed up for Jedi Training, but alas, it POURED during his time slot.  That was really the only day it rained on us more than a sprinkle the whole trip (even tho the weather said rain every day).  Upside of the rain - we walked in our ponchos over to meet Olaf and just walked right and hung with him for a few minutes.  I love Hollywood studios- the shows are so fun - The little Mermaid, Beaty and the Beast - so sweet.. Also a lot of Star Wars - Chase loved the Star Tours ride and we got to meet Chewbacca!  Lunch at Backlot - YUM!  Zoe did her first really big coaster -and in the dark - Rockin Rollercoaster.  She LOVED it. And we ALL road Tower of Terror!  We were super proud!  We had to pick between Fatasmic and the new Star Wars Fireworks show and we did the star wars.  Pretty amazing and did not disappoint! The next day we were back at MK starting with an 8am breakfast at Cinderella’s castle.  Note to self: huge crane putting up Christmas lights at the castle Aug-Nov! (annoying) We got there a little late, so our table was not by the window like last time - so not quite the same feel.  We did all our favorites again (except Big Thunder Mountain Railroad which was closed the whole time we were there!).  Day 3 - Epcott- my planning masterpiece day!!  We arrived at Epcot a little early, ok a lot- like we were THE first ones at the park (think THERE at 7:15am).  They let us in early for our breakfast at Akershus (yummy) and we were pretty much the first ones seated.  This worked out beautifully because we were therefore the first people to see all the princesses at breakfast and the first ones out!  So, we walked next door to the new Frozen Ride (which typically has a 1 hr plus wait)  RIGHT in front of the “rope holders” that walk people into the park as it opens.  Therefore- no wait for us and we still had our fastpass to the other big rides.  Right after the ride, we walked next door again to meet Anna and Elsa.  So, breakfast with Princesses, Frozen Ride, and meet Frozen Characters by 9:15am!  It made the rest of the day super relaxing because we had so much time to do it.  We did our favorite rides 2–3 times.  Chase LOVED Test Track.  Then, probably my favorite meal at Garden Grill.  The food was delicious, we got to see Mickey, Pluto, Chip, and Dale (again) and we had a hilarious waiter.  Thursday was our last day at Magic Kingdom.  We hit all our favorites, including Space Mountain SEVERAL times for Zoe.  She loves Roller Coasters!  We went home for a little break and came back for Mickeys NOT SO SCARY Halloween Party.  The parade was pretty cute, but we ended up waiting there a little too long probably.  The kids loved dressing up though and LOVED trick or treating at the different rides.. until.. they crashed.. So tired they just couldn’t function any more.. we probably left about 10:30pm, right after the fireworks - Hallowishes - which was a “bad guy” spin on the normal “Wishes” show.  Not my favorite at all.  I like the sweetness of the regular one.. but the kids can say they trick or treated at Disney- which was their favorite part of the day- shocker. Animal Kingdom was our last day- an last time was not my favorite park, but we really enjoyed it this time!  They have a lot of great shows - Nemo and Lion King which the kids loved and also Expedition Everest - another big coaster for Z (I think she road 4 times!)  Also, happily I did not get COMPLETELY drenched when we did the Kali River Rapids.  We all got a little wet, but nothing like last time!  Since it was our last night, we told the kids they could pick out their one thing that day… oh my… Chase knew exactly what he wanted- in about 5 minutes.. Zoe on the other hand…. it was a 30 minute process and we ended up returning it so we could buy something the next day.  whew.. She just couldn’t decide!! It was a great trip filled with fun memories and lots of running here and there.  I think Chaser loved his first Disney experience and it was so nice just to spend time together.  Far from relaxing, but so very fun.  Its a magical thing, Disney.  Cant wait to go back.