Leaving for Our Trip
It would be our luck that on the day that we left, Colorado would have a snowstorm! Luckily we had made plans to go up and stay at Greg's parents house the night before so we didn't have to drive all the way from the Springs to get to the airport. Of course I had planned out everyone's clothes for the day and this did not include jeans and coats!! I'm stubborn and made everyone wear their shorts and their sundresses to the airport! It wasn't that horrible, we only went from the house to the car and the car to the airport!
It would be our luck that on the day that we left, Colorado would have a snowstorm! Luckily we had made plans to go up and stay at Greg's parents house the night before so we didn't have to drive all the way from the Springs to get to the airport. Of course I had planned out everyone's clothes for the day and this did not include jeans and coats!! I'm stubborn and made everyone wear their shorts and their sundresses to the airport! It wasn't that horrible, we only went from the house to the car and the car to the airport!
The kids had a blast rolling their luggage through the airport and watching all the planes. People laughed as we walked past, Greg was in the front leading the way and I was in the back making sure everyone was keeping up.
The kids were anxious to get on the plane and once we did they just could not get the concept that Mommy and Daddy don't make the rules for the airplane. They wanted to know why they had to wait to put their chairs back and why they couldn't play their electronic games. And we definitely had to go to the bathroom several times on the plane! What a highlight of our trip. So after arriving an hour late into Orlando (we had to sit on the runway for an hour to get de-iced), we made our way to the Hilton at Downtown Disney.
From there we checked in, unpacked our stuff and began the fun of Disney.
Thursday April 10th...Our First Night
We weren't really sure at this point how all of the transportation worked. Our hotel told us that we could pick up a bus from Downtown Disney and go straight to Magic Kingdom. Our hotel was right across the street from Downtown Disney so we walked over and ate at some sandwich place and then we went to catch a bus.
Thursday April 10th...Our First Night
We weren't really sure at this point how all of the transportation worked. Our hotel told us that we could pick up a bus from Downtown Disney and go straight to Magic Kingdom. Our hotel was right across the street from Downtown Disney so we walked over and ate at some sandwich place and then we went to catch a bus.
We found out that the busses don't go from Downtown Disney to the parks so we had to get on one of the resort hotel busses and take it to another hotel and then from there, take the monorail over to Magic Kingdom. I think we ended up getting there at about 8:00 pm that night. 
We found out that the busses don't go from Downtown Disney to the parks so we had to get on one of the resort hotel busses and take it to another hotel and then from there, take the monorail over to Magic Kingdom. I think we ended up getting there at about 8:00 pm that night.
As we were waiting to get on Dumbo, the firework show began and we stood directly under the fireworks. I would consider that one of the "magical moments" of our trip. It was an amazing show. At about 11:30 after riding Thunder Mountain, we were drained and ready to go back to the hotel. We got on the monorail and found out which bus system we were supposed to be using to go straight to our hotel. All of the kids fell asleep on our way back and Greg and I were out the moment our heads hit the pillows.
Friday April 11th
After waking up we got ready and set out for Epcot.
After waking up we got ready and set out for Epcot.
After riding Spaceship Earth, Greg began to collect all of our fast passes so we wouldn't have to wait in line for so long. As the kids and I were waiting, we were asked to participate in some games with Goofy. The kid’s hoola hooped with him and played in a obstacle course. Another magical moment!
After our games with Goofy, we began riding all of our rides in Future World. Our favorites were Soarin and Test Track. We made our way to Club Cool where we were able to taste sodas from different countries. Italy was horrible!!
From there we let the kids take a break and play on the playground.
Afterwards we began walking through the World Showcase.
We went and sat down at the Japanese restaurant and had a blast with the chef at our table.
That took us to the end of the day, we found a good spot to watch Illuminations and then after the show, we were headed back to the hotel for another night of rest.
Saturday April 12th
When we woke up, we were all pretty excited to get to Animal Kingdom.
When we woke up, we were all pretty excited to get to Animal Kingdom.
We got there and Greg began collecting our Fast Pass tickets right away. We went and sat down for the "It's tough to be a bug show" inside the tree of life. Taylor screamed louder than anyone! The girls just laughed. From there we rode some of the other rides like the Safari, Kali River Rapids and the Dinosaur ride. The favorite here was probably the Dinosaur ride.
There was still so much to do but by mid day, we realized that we were all dragging and not getting much accomplished so we decided to go eat at the Rainforest Cafe and then leave for the day and head to the pool at the hotel.
The kids had a blast and it was definitely the right choice for the day.
Later in the evening we got everyone dressed again, the kids dressed up in some of their costumes. Taylor as Jack Sparrow, Kaylie as Jasmine and Alyssa as Tink.
We made our way back to Magic Kingdom and waited for the Spectra Magic Parade to begin. By the time the parade started Taylor and Alyssa had fallen asleep and Greg, Kaylie and I watched the light parade and the awesome Wishes firework show.
Afterwards, it was back to the hotel for another night of rest
Sunday April 13th
This was our full day at Magic Kingdom. We got to the park early. After the kids sat in the cab of the monorail and helped to drive, we started making our way through the park.
We walked through the Swiss Family Treehouse where Alyssa fell and scraped up her knee and her arm. We rode the Magic Carpets of Aladin where Jasmine and Aladin came out and hopped in some peoples carpets for the ride. We took the Jungle Cruise and sat through the Tiki room show. We went on Pirates of the Caribbean and then just as we were coming out it was starting to sprinkle. We all put on our ponchos and hopped on Splash Mountain. The kids loved it!! Then we went and rode Thunder Mountain again and by now it was pouring rain which made for an interesting roller coaster ride. We went through the Haunted Mansion, watched Mickey's PhillarMagic show, rode Peter Pan, the Mad Tea Party, The Barnstormer, Astro Orbiter and Buzz's Space Ranger Spin.
It doesn't seem like much but after the waiting in lines and sitting down to eat, the day had come to an end. This is when we had one of our not so magical moments. Poor Alyssa had had enough of her break from her regular routine and had a major meltdown. What a night!! So after getting her calmed down, we went back to the hotel for some much needed sleep.
Monday April 14th
This day Greg's conference began and it was just me and the kids for the rest of our Disney trip. Greg had gotten up and left for the day and the kids and I were going to sleep in. We ended up sleeping all the way until 9:30. We got up and had to take a little walk down to the grocery store. This took an hour and a half! Then we went over to Downtown Disney where we played for awhile in the toy store. The girls packed a box full of My Little Pony accessories and Taylor built a light saber.
Then we decided we should stop being lazy and get to the parks again. Today was our day for Hollywood Studios.
The kids and I got there right about 3:00 and sat down to watch the Block Party Bash. It was probably the most exciting parades we watched the whole time. The kids were able to get up and dance and play with the people in the parade.
After the parade we went to watch the playhouse Disney show and then the Little Mermaid show. By now, Greg had gotten out of his conference and came to meet us at the park. We went and played in the Honey I Shrunk the Kids area where Kaylie lost her Cinderella pin. We went to ask if one had been turned in and they gave her a certificate to go and get another one.
Then we rode Tower of Terror. Kaylie and Greg were the only ones who thought the ride was great! The rest of us did not enjoy it so much!
Again, by now we were exhausted and decided to skip the Fantasmic show and headed back towards the hotel. We went over to Downtown Disney and walked around a bit and then went back to the hotel and had a late dinner.
Tuesday April 15th
This day we set out on a mission to get more Character Autographs. The kids and I made our way back to Epcot where we found Mulan and Mushu, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore. We were able to get Mary Poppins, Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto.
This day we set out on a mission to get more Character Autographs. The kids and I made our way back to Epcot where we found Mulan and Mushu, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore. We were able to get Mary Poppins, Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto.
Taylor had another magical moment while we were in line waiting for the Winnie the Pooh Characters. There was a table where the kids could sit down and decorate these masks. Taylor sat down with one of the Disney workers and talked about his Nintendo DS and Pokemon. He sat there for a long time and before we left, he was given a magical moment certificate.
After Epcot, the kids and I left and went back to Downtown Disney. We went back to the Toy Store and filled two boxes of Mr. Potato Head accessories. We ate dinner and went back to the hotel to meet Greg for a hot fudge sundae.
Wednesday April 16th
When we got up we left and went over to Hollywood Studios again where we found some of the Power Rangers, Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable. We also saw Handy Manny, Jo Jo and Goliath and a couple of the Little Einsteins.
When we got up we left and went over to Hollywood Studios again where we found some of the Power Rangers, Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable. We also saw Handy Manny, Jo Jo and Goliath and a couple of the Little Einsteins.
After we left Hollywood Studios we went over to Magic Kingdom where we ran into Jimminy Cricket and Pinochio and then had lunch at Tony's which is the restaurant from the Lady and the Tramp.
By the time we finished our lunch it was time for the Dreams Come True Parade.
We sat and watched the parade and realized Alyssa had left her Minnie Mouse in the restaurant. Luckily they still had it when we went back. After collecting the Minnie doll we left for the hotel so we could get ready for our big night back at Magic Kingdom for our Pirate and Princess Party. We got to the hotel and Taylor says "where is my backpack". Of course he left it on the bus! And of course when I called, they could not locate the backpack on any of the busses. This put a damper on the rest of the night! But still, we all dressed up and made our way back for the big event.
We were able to meet all of the princess and also Jack Sparrow
. 
It was amazing how much he looked and sounded the same! We watched the special parade and firework show, danced with some of the characters from the Little Mermaid and also rode a few more rides.
The best moment I think that night was when we were in line to see Jasmine. They announced that she only had 15 more minutes and as the time kept passing by and there were still several people ahead of us, I was sure we weren't going to make it. I told the girls we weren't going to be able to see her and we would have to come back. Of course both of them start crying b/c they could see her and they were so close to getting to meet her. We got down to 1 more minute and there was still one family ahead of us waiting. The girls were just balling! Finally that family went out and the guy starts walking over toward Jasmine to take her away when someone calls his name and he has to stop to talk to them. Just as Jasmine was finishing signing the books for the family ahead of us, we push our way into the signing area and the girls got to meet Jasmine before she left. And b/c it was during a shift change where Jasmine was supposed to be leaving and other characters were coming out we also got to see the Genie and Abu. We were the only family that got to see all three of them together.
The other magical moment of the night was when we were standing in line to see Belle. The girls were talking to one of the Cast Members about Cinderella. He was telling them how Cinderella got her name and after their story Alyssa told him that she had a secret for him. He bent down and she asked him if he knew how wishes came true. He asked her how and she whispered in his ear "they happen when you least expect it". He pulled out two little Tinker Bell pins and told them that b/c they shared that secret with him he was giving them these special pins that only Cast Members can give to people. They can't be bought or traded.
It was amazing how much he looked and sounded the same! We watched the special parade and firework show, danced with some of the characters from the Little Mermaid and also rode a few more rides.
The best moment I think that night was when we were in line to see Jasmine. They announced that she only had 15 more minutes and as the time kept passing by and there were still several people ahead of us, I was sure we weren't going to make it. I told the girls we weren't going to be able to see her and we would have to come back. Of course both of them start crying b/c they could see her and they were so close to getting to meet her. We got down to 1 more minute and there was still one family ahead of us waiting. The girls were just balling! Finally that family went out and the guy starts walking over toward Jasmine to take her away when someone calls his name and he has to stop to talk to them. Just as Jasmine was finishing signing the books for the family ahead of us, we push our way into the signing area and the girls got to meet Jasmine before she left. And b/c it was during a shift change where Jasmine was supposed to be leaving and other characters were coming out we also got to see the Genie and Abu. We were the only family that got to see all three of them together.
The other magical moment of the night was when we were standing in line to see Belle. The girls were talking to one of the Cast Members about Cinderella. He was telling them how Cinderella got her name and after their story Alyssa told him that she had a secret for him. He bent down and she asked him if he knew how wishes came true. He asked her how and she whispered in his ear "they happen when you least expect it". He pulled out two little Tinker Bell pins and told them that b/c they shared that secret with him he was giving them these special pins that only Cast Members can give to people. They can't be bought or traded.
This memorable night concluded our Disney Trip and we took our final ride back to the hotel.
Thursday April 17th
Before we left for the airport, the kids and I went back to Downtown Disney where the kids got to make their own yummy treats at Goofy's Candy Store.
Before we left for the airport, the kids and I went back to Downtown Disney where the kids got to make their own yummy treats at Goofy's Candy Store.
They also spent the rest of the Disney dollars at the toy store and Taylor received another Magical Moment certificate for starting the train that rides around the store. Back to the hotel we went to load up our stuff to go to the airport. Our very last magical moment was when we got the phone call that they had found Taylor's backpack and they could ship it to us! So we were able to get on our plane and come home with mostly all wonderful memories. It was a great trip and we can't wait to start planning for our next Disney trip in another couple of years
