Disney Vacation 2010

Friday, June 4th

On Friday, we started our 14 hour drive about 8 am.  Daddy had to deliver some packages in Memphis, so we just went with him.  We got it all done and left Memphis by about noon.  You slelpt and watched Toy Story a lot of the day, but when you were awake you were very content to sit in your seat and watch your movie.  We got out of the car in Lake City, FL around midnight after 16 hours in the car.  We stayed at a Red Roof Inn.

Saturday, June 5th

On Saturday, we got up and left Lake City and drove on into Orlando.  It took us about 3 hours to get there.  We arrived at our condo early, but we were able to check in.  It was very nice-2 bedroom and 2 bath with a full kitchen.  We went to Target and bought some groceries and then we were off to Disney Day 1.  We decided to go to Epcot, thinking it would be our least favorite.  We got there about 6:30 pm, it was so exciting to come back to a childhood favorite vacation spot with you.  We rode the Seas with Nemo and Friends first.  We rode in clam shells and looked for Nemo, you really enjoyed this ride (we ended up riding it a dozen times over several days).  Then Future World was closing so we headed on over to World Showcase and rode the three cabeleros boat ride.  You loved this one too, this is when we really started getting excited seeing you so happy.  The next ride was the Maelstrom in Norway.  It had an unexpected dip, but you were a trooper and you ended up really liking the drop it made.  No tears from our big boy!  After that, we got a place to watch Illuminations, a fire, lights and water show to end the day at Epcot.  You loved watching it and kept saying Whoa the whole time, it was so much fun seeing you so happy!  A great first day at Disney!

Sunday, June 6th

We went to MGM Hollywood Studios on the second day of Disney.  We were trying to avoid the early park hour parks in hopes we would be at the one with the least amount of people.  This day was terribly hot and humid.  When we arrived at the park, we rushed in for a fastpass to ToyStory Mania.  We knew this would be a hit in your eyes because you were a huge Buzz fan.  While waiting to go back to Toy Story, we took the backlot tour.  It was great, but very hot and we were getting worn down quickly.  You liked this ride, but you were not as excited as some other rides.  After that, we took off to see the first showing of the american idol experience.  You loved this attraction, smiling and clapping for each contestant.  There was a lady from Arkansas on stage, but she didn't win.  Then we went back to see Woody and Buzz before the ride.  You were in awe when you saw them.  You couldn't believe they were there.  You wanted Daddy to hold you, but you gave them your autograph book and got your picture made with them.  You really liked Toy Story Midway Mania, you helped Daddy win points.  I didn't score very many, I didn't know the 3D glasses were necessary and that that is why everything was blurry, ha!  By the time we got out of here, it was just so hot and we had to head back to the condo for a while.  We came back in the evening and checked out the animation.  Then we met Lightning and Mater, which you thought were totally amazing.  You didn't want to leave them at all!  Once again, it just got so hot we headed back to the condo and hit the pool.  They had a 1 foot kiddy pool and you loved splashing around in it. 

Monday, June 7th

On Monday, we headed back out to Epcot, once again to avoid crowds at Magic Kingdom.  Our first ride this time was Living off the Land, which was one of my favorite rides.  It was a boat tour of how agriculture has evolved followed by a greenhouse that was AMAZING.  You liked it ok, but it wasn't real entertaining for you.  We got a fastpass for Soarin and rode a few more rides before we headed back to the condo.  When we came back for the afternoon, we toured the countries and rode the boat rides again.  Daddy did Soarin, which was his favorite ride.

Tuesday, June 8th and Wednesday, June 9th

On Tuesday, we finally laid eyes on the Magic Kingdom.  I had forgotten that you had to ride a boat or monorail into Magic Kingdom.  We got there 30 minutes prior to the gates opening and waited in a line to get on the monorail.  We got on the monorail easily, but we still had long lines when we got to the island.  We headed straight for the Dumbo, there are no fast passes here so the wait was about 20 minutes, not bad for this ride.  We all loved it, nothing less than expected.  Then we went to ride It's a small world, which was always my childhood favorite.  It didn't disappoint, still my favorite and one of yours too.  After that, we headed for the Jungle Cruise.  It was fun, but not what we had expected.  The next ride was the Pirates of the Caribbean.  We all loved this ride, the wait was nice and cool and it was a boat ride with a slight thrill for you.  We went to the condo and came back the next day in time to watch the afternoon parade, which we really really loved.  You were not a fan of the characters after you saw the Genie from Aladdin who scared you.  We rode Peter Pan, which stopped while we were on it.  Then we rode Snow White, Smaill World, and pooh.  We had dinner at the Starlight Cafe, which had an ape singing that entertained you.  The food was good but expensive.  We watched the country bear jamboree and there was even a bear named Zeke.  You were so good in the theatre.  You also really liked the Phillharmagic 3D show even though you didn't wear the glasses.  We rode Aladdin with you and then rode Splash Mountain and tried to ride Big Thunder Mountain together while you and Granny played.  We toured Tom Sawyer island, but it wasn't that big a deal to you.  Then we went to the Main Street Electrical Parade, which is back for the first time in 9 years.  It was so pretty and you got a buzz light while we waited that you really liked to play with.  The fireworks were beautiful, but we didn't have the best seat.

Thursday, June 10th

On this day, we went to Animal Kingdom.  We were all totally let down as none of us had ever been there before.  There weren't many animals out and the rides were not what we had been lead to believe.  There was even one land called Dino Land that reminded us of a carnival.  We made the best of the day though.  We started out on the Kilamanjaro Safari and also did the Lion King show that was really awesome.  Those two things were must sees for us at this park.  We had lunch at the Rainforest Cafe and that was an amazing experience, the best part of our day by far.  We stayed to watch the parade and then we left and headed back to the condo for the evening.  You went to sleep early so Granny stayed in with you while Daddy and I headed out to Planet Hollywood for supper.  We had a really good time, but you wouldn't have liked this restaurant that much.


Friday, June 11th

We went out to Epcot to do a meet and greet with the characters--Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, and Donald.  We had thought there would be a good place in Magic Kingdom, but this was really the best place to do autographs because it was inside and they were all in their formal/regular costumes.  We rode Nemo several more times, Soarin, and a few others while we were there.  We left there early afternoon and headed down to Universal Studios to eat at Margaritaville.  Dustin and Mom couldn't be this close and not have a cheeseburger in paradise, ha!  The food was very good.  We really enjoyed walking along the boardwalk and checking out a few things.  We headed back to the condo to pack up for the trip home.

Saturday, June 12th

We drove home on the 12th and it took less time to get home because we went through Atlanta.  It only took us 14 hours and we drove straight through.  You were a trooper once again and we had a really great trip!