WDW: Epcot

We went to Epcot on our final day in Florida. This park was just cool. I can't see kids getting too much into it, but I could have spent more than a day here...just eating all the food!! One thing to keep in mind (that we didn't know), plan all your Fast Passes before 11 am. All the different countries, don't open until 11:00. Our FP were for later in the afternoon so we walked around a lot just waiting. 

We finally did all of our Fast Passes and then went to France for lunch. Yum! We tried lots of good food while we were there. 

I loved walking through all the countries. With all the craziness going on over seas, it really doesn't motivate me to get on an airplane and go visit the real countries anytime soon. I know that Epcot probably doesn't do the real countries justice, but it will hold me over for a while ;)

We left this park around 6:30 pm and drove straight home. It really wasn't the most ideal park for little ones. There are only a handful of rides and a lot of "sight seeing." I could have spent much longer, just with Josh, but Charlotte was a bit bored. 

Overall, I'm really happy we got to go and I could finally see what it was all about. I realize it's not as convenient as Disneyland to get in and out of, but it's fun to go and spend all day and have the most magical experience! Thanks again Josh, for making my dreams come true! I look forward to more fun trips in our future! 

WDW: Hollywood Studios

We spent the first day of the year at Hollywood Studios. It was like the Hollywood Studios at California Adventure on steroids!

 We started the day with a Disney Junior character breakfast. Charlotte loves all the characters on Disney Junior, especially Doc McStuffins and Sophia the First. I thought it would be so fun to have her meet them! Boy, was I wrong!! She flipped out when they came to our table. But I was glad Sophia insisted on taking a picture with Josh! It was a breakfast buffet (my favorite)! We were so full, we didn't eat until dinner! 

Everything throughout the park had something to do with Frozen. Charlotte is just now joining the Frozen party so she was a little excited. We went to the Frozen sing-a-long and she loved it! I recommend this...if you have a Fast Pass.

One more attraction that Josh and I could have spent a while in was all about Walt Disney. It went through his life and how he created Mickey Mouse and eventually Disneyland. It's so sad to me that he passed away before WDW was finished. It's something you walk through and it may be a little boring for kids, but we sure liked it! 

We had a lot of fun here. The Magic Kingdom has the most rides. This park had a lot of shows and other entertainment. And strollers aren't allowed in any building so while Charlotte took a super long nap, we couldn't go into anything. Just something to keep in mind. Here are some more pictures from our day.

WDW: Animal Kingdom

Our second day in Florida was spent at the Animal Kingdom. It was New Years Eve and I just knew we didn't want to be at the Magic Kingdom with all the crowds. This was a little less magical, but still cool to see. It was kind of a glorified zoo! It was also separated into countries, which was neat to see different cultures. 

The day started out with "It's Tough to be a Bug." Charlotte screamed through the whole thing. It was too dark and scary, apparently. 

While Josh went on a ride, Charlotte and I ran to the restroom, only to see a longtime friend standing in the entrance! It was so fun catching up with Melissa! I mean, what are the chances?!

My favorite part of this park was the Lion King show in Africa. Wow! If you go to this park, it's a must see! Acrobats, singing, and other performances. We did not have a Fast Pass for this, but it was worth the wait!

If you are an animal lover (or not), you'll love the Safari. Aside from feeling like I was going to fall out the whole time, it was pretty neat to see how Disney recreated the wild right there! 

The last attraction I recommend is Mount Everst. We did a Fast Pass for this and literally walked right on. We went alone. Luckily, I sat next to a girl who worked there so she prepped me for what was about to come. It's an awesome ride and nothing what I had expected! Another recommendation!

Here are a few more photos throughout the day. 

Magic Kingdom

Around Thanksgiving, Josh and I decided that we would do a little family vacation to Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. Josh had been so fortunate to get a generous amount of time off from work to spend with family this year. I thought it would be great to do a little trip with just the three of us while he already has taken the time off. I've always wanted to visit Disney World and now living so close, well, it was the perfect opportunity!!

We drove up Monday, after finishing a bunch of little things we needed to get done after being gone for eight days! We hit a lot of traffic and bad weather, which made the drive longer than we originally thought. But we finally made it to our Expedia-reserved hotel. Since we decided so late to do this trip, there were no Disney resorts available. Now after doing the first day without staying in the resort, I don't think I would ever come back without staying on the property. It took us an hour just to get into the park. Our hotel advertised a shuttle, but when asked the schedule, it only left twice a day. The first time not until 11 am! It's pretty much a dive, but we wanted something close and cheap (considering it is the holidays and so last minute). I'm pretty sure I heard gun shots at 4:00 this morning, but I'll pretend they were something else ;) We gave Charlotte some Sophia the First pj's and she was in heaven! 

Monday morning we got ready to go, brought stuff for breakfast to eat in our room, and started the trek to the park.

We finally arrived on the Disney property, parked, took a team to will call, got on a ferry to get to the Magic Kingdom and entered the park! Phew!  From then on out, it was pure magic!! 

I know it sounds crazy, but I literally had to hold back the tears while walking down Main Street. It was perfection! Everything was just BIGGER than Disneyland. There were no bottle necks anywhere! I told Josh later in the day that it seems like Disneyland was the practice park and everything was perfected in the Magic Kingdom. 

This how Josh and I rode the rides...alone. 

One highlight of the day was eating at "Be Our Guest." We weren't able to make dinner reservations, so we went for an early lunch. It was so good. And make you you try the "grey stuff"...it really is delicious!

We ate in the ballroom and it was decorated beautifully for Christmas. The food was great and the waiter even brought a new entree for Charlotte when she didn't want to eat the original thing we ordered for her! 

The fanciest soda machine

I have never been able to get a "1st Visit" button.  I was pretty excited!

At 4:45, we headed to the castle to see Elsa turn it to ice. It was definitely worth the wait (until 6:00). It was beautiful!! Charlotte loved it too. We had bought her a little toy Minnie with a car earlier when she fell asleep. That kept her occupied during our long wait! There was a little Christmas show with some characters as well, while we waited. 

Is that the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?  

I hope I told Josh enough times "thank you" yesterday! It seriously was such a memorable day and I'm so glad we could spend some time as a family doing something we (at least Josh and I) will remember for a long time! 

Up next? Animal Kingdom!