Monday, June 22, 2015

Disney: Drive down and Day 1!

FAIR WARNING: If you are not a Disney buff, you might want to avoid this blog for the next month as I document our trip.  I took so many pictures, and we'll get some of the professional pics eventually as well as those from family and such, it'll be a Disney bonanza around here for awhile.  So, let's start with the drive down and day one.  We left, magic bands in tow on Friday, June 12th early early early in the morning!
 Spirits were high as we pulled out and began the 1,000 mile trek down to Orlando.  
 Ellie was in good hands with my cousin Maggie at our house!
 Quick picnic lunch stop in Metropolis, IL!
 The kids were SUCH troopers as we hit traffic jam and construction on the way into Nashville and then Georgia.  We spent 17 hours in the car that first day and made it to Forsyth, Georgia just south of Atlanta.  But it made day 2 of driving that much more manageable.  The troublesome trio arrived in Orlando around 3 in the afternoon and met up at Old Key West Resort with my parents and my brother and his girlfriend.  The excitement was rather high to say the least!
 For our first park day (Sunday, 6/14/15) they donned the first of several matching outfits and headed to Chef Mickey's restaurant in the Contemporary hotel.
 This may have been my favorite meal and I highly recommend.  The buffet breakfast was great and the kids LOVED the traditional characters!
 Mickey stopped by within 2 minutes of our seating, the kids were so so happy to see him!
 Goofy gets the thumbs up!
 When Sam told Donald he was #2, he had a fit and threatened us all with a shaking fist.  It was pretty funny, even Isaac loved all the characters.
 Minnie loved on all the boys and gave them kisses too!
 Pluto rounded out the crew and the boys were ready to hit Epcot!
 We all hit Spaceship Earth together first (the big silver globe).


 After Sam was scarred by Test Track with Mike and Josh, and I enjoyed Soarin with my dad and Kjersten, we redeemed ourselves with Sam by visiting characters again.  Noah hit up Mission Space with Josh and my dad.


 We started our way around the World Showcase by visiting Duffy the bear (new kind of mascot at Epcot).
 The theme of the whole week was the HEAT.  Even the locals commented about how unseasonably warm it was.  Each day had a "real feel" temp of above 100 degrees.  Of course, this altered our great plans of cupcakes and caramel treats.  We opted for the Doofenslurper.  Basically a giant sugary slurpee featuring the evil Dr. Doofenschmirtz from Phineas and Ferb served in a large plastic beaker.  It was a hit!

 Isaac cashed out in the rented double stroller which (while a behemoth to wheel around) proved to be a GODSEND for the entire week.
 Epcot was HOT, but that was only a glimpse of the heat to come.  But, still, a great day!  We watched the lumberjack show in Canada and then busted for the hotel and some pool time.  We missed out on the whole Nemo/Turtle Talk/Seas area, but maybe next time?

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