Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom is a great park to help you slow down and have a break because the park closes before dark. My favorite ride here is the safari because of all the animals seen and there is just something special about it. We went to this park twice and rode the safari twice each day. Another great thing is the Festival of the Lion King Show. 

Group safari shot

Right before we left for Disney Harvey discovered his thumb and became a thumb sucker when he was tired or hungry. He was asleep when we got on the safari but it is a super bumpy ride and got woken up. Isn't he just adorable with his thumb in his mouth?

King Louie, and Balloo

We had lunch at a restaurant we went to last year where the characters come through and take pictures. I was frustrated with Kate not smiling, so I tried to bribe her. This was a buffet restaurant and had some delicious looking treats. I told her she could pick one if she smiled really good when she met a new character. Her first character we did this with was Donald, and I'm happy with how the picture turned out.

Donald

Mickey

Papa, Nonna and Mickey

All the characters loved Harvey and loved playing with him, he was amazed by them

Goofy

Daisy

Dinosaur ride

Thank goodness for Papa and Nonna. Joe and I were able to ride a big kid ride together while they watched the kids for us. This ride is called Everest. It is wicked awesome. The last 2 times we've gone to Disney I've been pregnant and this ride is too wicked to ride in such a condition and I've always missed out. It is one of those rides that takes you all day to recover from, but it was great!

My Mom and Dad rode Everest with me the first time. It was also my Mom's first time. Lets just say it took her a few minutes to even stand up when the ride was over. She was pale, and looked sick. My Dad and Joe got in trouble for not warning her about the ride. I was behind her and was just glad she didn't puke. I love you Mom, but I had to share this memory!

Mickey & Minnie

Magic Kingdom part 2

We were able to do everything at Magic Kingdom in the 2 days we visited that park. Did I mention I have the best kids ever! They are incredible to be able to do 14 hours days at a park. I bet I would be able to last 14 hours easier if I got pushed around in a stroller all day.

One of our favorite new experiences to us was Enchanted Tales with Belle. The kids get to act out a brief version of the movie, and they get to dance around the room with Belle. It was magical. My description can't do it justice. If you are headed to Disney make this stop a priority! 

One of the parades goes around the circle in front of the castle and is a dance party. This was something Kate actually remembered from our last visit. We made sure to go! We are in love with the movie Zootopia and researched and found the only place to see these characters at the park is at the parade. It was fun to move it and shake it with them!

Buzz lightyear

1st time meeting Rapunzel. Kate was excited to wear her Rapunzel dress. She was happy when Rapunzel held her hand.

Cinderella

Add caption

Add caption

We stayed so long and used all our fast passes that we were able to get more. We were able to go back and meet Cinderella and Rapunzel again! When Kate gets tired she usually gets super hyper which is so different from any other kid I know. She was very animated for our visit with Cinderella and Rapunzel. It was worth going a 2nd time to visit these princesses. We have discovered that Harvey loves princesses. He may be small but he sure is a ladies man.

Smiles with Rapunzel

Harvey got a kiss from Rapunzel!

 On our way out of the park at night the light parade was starting. We never intended to stay this late at the park, but we decided to stay and watch it again! These pictures aren't the best, but they sure bring back some fun memories. I loved watching Kate and she saw a new parade float come by and seeing her whole body light up with excitement and amazement.

Magic Kingdom Part 1

We were able to visit the magic kingdom twice on this trip. This post will be about the first day, so many good pictures! We took over 1000 pictures on our trip, so I think each day needs its own spotlight.

So many fun memories were created here at the Magic Kingdom.
 Kate's favorite ride: Carousel
Kate's favorite activity: Parades, day and the night parade (AKA light parade).

Meeting Daisy Duck

Meeting Minnie

Harvey getting the hang of the carousel

Can you spot Nonna, Papa and Kate?

Papa and Kate being silly on the carousel

It is hard to say which activity was my favorite. I loved watching Kate experience everything. The parades were fun to watch her see a new princess or character. I also loved the Enchanted Tales with Belle. 

When Joe and I were both little we had autograph books that we had each of the characters sign when we went to Disney. I decided it was time for Kate to have an autograph book as well. Kate was so excited to meet Ariel, her current favorite princess. She froze when we saw her. She secretly loved having all the characters we met sign her book. She looks so unhappy in the picture below but the minute we left Ariel Kate was all smiles and asked to go back to meet her. Ariel signed her name and then drew bubbles and showed Kate. Kate would not let go of that signature for a few hours, she would repeatedly show us and tell us that Ariel drew her bubbles.

Ariel

Happy

Harvey and the grandparents

Kate got to drive the speedway car. I think the first time scared her because she wouldn't drive the other 3 times we rode it.

2 sleeping babies

The kids did great at Disneys Magic Kingdom. We actually stayed all day. We went early at 8 am for our early hours, and then didn't leave until the light parade was over at 930. They were amazing. Both would conk out in the stroller. I love our stroller, the seats lay flat when needed.

A life saver is that Disney has a Baby care center in each park. In the care center they have changing tables galore, a baby shop for diapers and other things that could be forgotten, high chairs, books, a movie playing and an attendant. They also have a room with rocking chairs for mothers to nurse their babies. It was so nice to go in and feed Harvey and not have to worry about trying to find a private place in the park. Harvey always had a nice, cool, quiet place to eat. Great idea Disney!

Kate is OBSESSED with Toy Story. She calls it "You've got a friend in me". The longest line we waited in was probably to meet Woody and Jessie. I had high hopes that Kate would smile in this picture but nope.

Waiting for a parade

Is he trying to pull the sword out of eat it?

Love birds

Do not let all these pictures fool you. Kate had a great time! She still talks about the trip daily and asks to go back. She is just super camera shy. Harvey on the other hand is not camera shy at all

Epcot

Once we got to our resort we took a quick nap and dove right into our trip and went to the park. We had a great time at Epcot. We actually got to go there 2 days, our first and our last day. One of my favorite things at Epcot this time of year is the character topiaries. Did I mention that my parents were troopers and joined us on this trip again this year! It was so nice to spend a week with them since we don't get that special time with them since we live a little over 2 hours apart. I like to think they came to spend time with me, but I'm 100% certain they came to spend time with their grand-kids.

These 2 love birds often held hands...adorable

Anna and Elsa topiary

Pizza ovens at our favorite restaurant Via Napoli

We went to our favorite Epcot restaurant Via Napoli in Italy on both days, and both days we randomly got the same table. It was even the same table we had last year. Our name might as well be sketched in the chairs. They have amazing pizza, just the way my part Italian Dad likes it. Our favorite is the Margarita. You know its good when it is silent at the table while eating. They fly the fresh mozzarella in from Italy. It is really good stuff. Yum my mouth is watering.

Bus ride to the park

We took a break day 1 to go back and nap at our hotel. I had Minnie Mouse pajamas waiting for Kate on the bed, and I told her that Minnie Mouse left them for her to welcome her to Disney. Kate stripped down so fast and got right into those pajamas and climbed in bed. After our naps I tried to get Kate to change back into her clothes to go to the park, but she refused. So she went to the park in her pajamas. 

Lady and the Tramp. She actually didn't want me to stand with her in the picture, she wanted it all by herself. Then she didn't want to leave. A line was forming of other tourists and she wouldn't leave. 

This girl found Woody all by herself, and asked me to take a picture, she was so excited. 

Never smile at a crocidile

Papa, Nonna Harvey and Kate

Epcot at night! Breath taking!

We got the opportunity to meet lots of characters through out the trip. Kate is a super shy girl. She wouldn't even meet Mickey mouse and Goofy who were are first characters, she just wanted to stay in her stroller. She progressed throughout the trip to even letting some characters hold her hand and even hug her.

Harvey looks a little star struck!

These last pictures were from our final day of the trip.

Kate and the AMAZING flowers at Epcot!

Snow White!

This might be one of my favorite memories of Disney. At first Aladdin was holding Harvey but Jasmine snatched him away and just absolutely loved him. (The feelings were mutual) Aladdin immediately gave Kate a huge hug and wouldn't let go. Kate looks terrified! As we left she said. "Aladdin gave me a hug!!!!!!   Maybe we could do it again sometime."

Daisy