Sept/Oct 2011 Disney Trip - Day 5

So today, we decided to stay at the resort and relax. Tonight is MNSSHP, and we want to be well rested so we can stay till they close. So off we head to the pool....such a nice walk around the resort.

The main Dig Site pool was actually right around the corner from our room in the Ranchos section. First stop, of course, is the small wading pool. Kevin just loves those sprayers.

But not as much as he loves the slide here. So off he went....

And down he goes...

Ken and I had fun on the slide too (but thankfully no pictures).

After several hours at the pool, we were starving. So we headed to the Pepper Market. It really is a nice walk around the lake. I just love the gardens here. Kevin really likes the palm trees and Birds of Paradise. But, his favorite in the gardens are the millions of lizards!

Before we ate, we HAD to find that Hidden Mickey on the seating around the lobby fountain. We stood there looking for that thing for what seemed like hours (but it was only around 10 minutes). I was determined, but Kevin was ready to eat. Thankfully, Ken spotted it. Can you see it in the picture below?

So, thanks to daddy, we were off to eat. We had the same chef from last year, and he again made a wonderful meal for Kevin. I admit, I had to try it too. Ohhhhh, it was so good. They need to put THIS on the menu!

Allergy free Grilled Mahi Mahi with grilled squash and zucchini....YUM!

After a late lunch, it was time to head to MNSSHP. We were so excited, since this was our first year of going with all of us dressed as a group. The weather was perfect too. No rain, but it was just a tad on the hot side. And it was packed too.

First stop had to be the Meet & Greet area next to Tony's Town Square. I wanted to get our pictures with Snow White. We ended up waiting in line for almost 2 hours! It was crazy!!! That may be the last time we do that, because we wasted so much time in there when we could have been out getting candy or riding rides. But, I did make quite a few little girls standing in line happy. They kept staring at me, so I felt I should talk to them...after all, I WAS Snow White (: That was really fun....and made me want to work at Disney some day.

Cinderella (this may be next year's themed costumes)

We had a great time with Snow White and the Prince. Snow spent a really long time with Kevin too. She just loved him as Dopey (as you can see in the pics below). Kevin was not happy to learn that there was a HUGE kiss mark on his forehead. He used his sleeve to wipe it off...that greasy blood red lipstick!!!

Last was Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. They were really funny too. But by this time....we were ready to Trick or Treat! So off we went (after a trip to the bathroom to get the rest of that lipstick off Kevin's face).
We were able to meet up with some friends we had made on AllEar's Facebook page, Kelley Watts and family. We had such a great time. And they were able to save us some of the best seats for the parade too! This was the first year we were able to see the Headless Horseman ride past!

Then the parade started! I just LOVE this parade!

Ken managed to snap a picture of his beloved Donald in his new costume for this season...

After the parade, we all headed over to ride some rides (and get some candy on the way). We hit Pirates first and then managed to squeeze in Big Thunder Mtn Railroad. How I rode that in my dress, plus hanging on to my wig, I have no idea! We then headed over to the Haunted Mansion, but they were closing! I couldn't believe how the time flew by so fast. But we had a GREAT time! I did make sure that we got some PhotoPass Pictures before the night ended.

It may have been after midnight, but I was wired. Too bad MK didn't stay open even later ):

Oh well, back to the resort (this wig was killing my head anyway).

Tomorrow....Epcot!

Sept/Oct 2011 Disney Trip - Day 4

So we finally made it! Today, Day 4, and we are at Hollywood Studios. The buses were running really slow this morning (we had to wait almost 35 minutes at our resort) which caused us to get to HS after 10:30am. Unfortunately, Jedi Training was already booked up for the whole day! Crazy, I know!!! But Kevin was OK....after we told him we would come back later in the week and try again. So today, it was all about fun....and Kevin getting to ride Rock N Roller coaster for the first time (:

A quick stop by Sci Fi to get our pic in the car!

(it was early...so no one was there)

So we headed over to Rock N Roller Coaster. None of us had ever rode it, so we had no idea what was in store for us. Man....is that thing FAST!!!

Kevin is so excited as we wait in line

I can't help but laugh at Ken's reaction in the back seat!

Yep, he thought it was FAST too...hahaha

Wow, that is a great ride! Kevin would have rode that over and over if we would have let him. But, the line kept getting longer and longer. So we grabbed FastPasses for later. We were really hungry, but decided to stop by Tower of Terror (before we ate, thank goodness). TOT is the only ride that really makes my stomach flip. But I love it anyway!

The photographer asked us to look scared

The lady sitting next to me (in the back row) kept grabbing my arm and screaming. I was laughing the whole time, my stomach never flipped out! Where's that lady when I need her the next time? Oh, and she kept apologizing, but wouldn't let go!

After TOT, we were walking by the Beauty and the Beast auditorium. We noticed that the show was getting ready to begin and we had never seen it. So we ran up and arrived just as the rope was dropping. We were able to get as close as possible (4th row center). But boy...was it HOT! I thought I was going to die in there! Thankfully, the show started and I forgot how hot I was. This was a great show! I can't believe we've missed this before.

After the show, we ran by and got a bite to eat. Kevin ate at Rosie's (they are so great with his food allergies) while Ken and I split a sandwich and cupcake at Starring Rolls. I can't believe I didn't get a picture of this wonderful cupcake. It was a Red Velvet with Cheesecake Icing! Oh...so good!

So, we headed out to walk off our new found cupcake love. That's when the weather took a turn for the worse. We were able to get FastPasses for Toy Story and then the bottom fell out. We made it over to Walt's One Man's Dream. It was closed last year, so this was also a new one for us. Wow! What a dreamer this man was....and he made his dream's come true too!

We then headed over to see what characters were out at the Art of Animation area. There were TONS of characters (due to the rain I guess).

First stop.....Pooh

Next....Ken had been looking for Pocahontas! He swears it was the same one from last year that kissed his autograph...yeah, keep dreaming!

Chip and Dale....they're so funny

Kevin panicked when he saw the Queen. He knew she was mean, so he decided to make her happy by bowing (yes, I know, it looks like he is stretching his legs), but it made her happy. She just hugged and hugged him. He even bowed after she autographed his book!

Then there was Captain Hook and Mr. Smee...

The Penguin from Mary Poppins...

And Mulan...

And last but not least...Mickey!

We also saw Stitch (but he wouldn't stand still) and some of the Little Einsteins

It was still pouring the rain, so we made it over to Toy Story. We just love this ride (but Daddy always beats us)! Afterwards, it was time for dinner. We had ressies at Sci Fi Dine In. We love the atmosphere, and the chefs always make a great meal for Kevin. Thankfully, the rain had slowed down some, so we made it across the park without being soaked! Even though we had ressies at 7pm, there was a HUGE wait. Everyone was trying to get in without ressies. We ended up walking around the gift shop attached to the restaurant (I think it is called Writer's Stop). We had never been in here before. It was a nice surprise as we found a lot of gifts and great bakery items too. Oh....they called our name....

Kevin and I enjoying the front seat and some great flicks

After dinner, the park had pretty much cleared out. So we walked over to Star Tours and rode it over and over again, and it was different each time!

Well, today is over, the park is closing. Time to head back to the resort.

Tomorrow, we are going to relax at the resort and then head to MNSSHP!

Sept/Oct 2011 Disney Trip - Day 3

Here we are at Day 3....at Animal Kingdom. I know there are a lot of people that don't care for AK as much as the other parks. But we love it here. We are such animal people, plus our son Kevin is a huge dinosaur nut! (Not to mention the incredible cupcakes we eat there) LOL

family photo time (:

Of course, the first ride we ever ride is the Safari. We could ride this all day, but Kevin really loves it! This time around, we were on the one where the bridge feels like it is collapsing. On our last ride of the day, didn't happen.

This rhino was having the best time rolling in the mud. Looks like he missed a spot, er stripe I mean. They were so close to the truck, it was scary. But I can agree that both the rides, first in the morning and last one before they close (which was at 5pm when we were there), the animals are most active.

We always head up to Rafiki's Watch. We usually see lots of characters, but this time, only Rafiki.

Kevin spots another Hidden Mickey

Kevin loves the petting zoo. He would spend all day out there brushing those goats! This one seemed to love all the attention too. The one in the back of the photo (on the right by the blue ropes) would not leave that salt lick for anything. It was a hot day though!

Don't ask me what this animal is. Some type of rodent that can jump REALLY far. But Kevin was so good during the show that they picked him to be the first in line. He was able to spend more time petting this creature and he received a cute pin too.

This is at the end of the day, during the celebration parade. Ken bought the hat (in the Dinosaur ride gift shop) because it had some unique pins on it. But guess who ended up wearing it most of the day? Any one ready for a safari? (:

Trying to get from AK to Wilderness Lodge proved CRAZY! Since the crowds were all leaving AK at the same time, the bus lines were horrible. We waited and waited to get on WL's bus, but after the second full bus pulled off, we got on the Contemporary bus, then took a boat ride over to WL. Got there just in time for dinner ressies. And, it was a nice day for a boat ride!

We love Whispering Canyon. Although Kevin doesn't participate in much of the kids activities (due to his food allergies), we always have a great time and a wonderful meal. They did mix up Kevin's order (they gave him fries instead of veges) which scared me to death since we didn't know if they were safe. Turns out they were and thus, this started a trend the rest of the vacation.....forget the veges, just give me french fries! Oh well, let him be a kid I guess.

So after dinner and some pin trading, we get on the boat and head over to MK. I just love MK at night. All the lights and decorations, it's just great! Of course, the first ride we hit is Space Mountain. Kevin could ride this all day. This trip, he also wanted to ride Stitch a lot. He's always loved Stitch, but I think in previous years, this ride scared him (when the lights go out and Stitch is jumping on every one's shoulders). Now, all Kevin does is laugh and laugh when it happens.

This year, since we preorderd the PhotoPass CD, I was constantly stopping us to grab pictures any where we could. This one may end up on our Christmas cards.

Well, day 3 down, so back to the resort we go. But one last photo before we leave.

Tomorrow.....Hollywood Studios!