Disney Magic

I grew up watching the Wonderful World of Disney movies and shows on Sunday nights during the Fall and Winter months.  I always wanted to go to Disney as a child.  As I grew older and realized that going to "Disney" was not happening I sort of lost the desire to go.  Maybe I just tabled it deep inside and I really secretly wanted to go - so secretly even I didn't realize it!

I use to make fun of people who were Disney fanatics.  Just thought - "oh grow up already".  Its a mouse for goodness sakes.   .....  Then I had a child and then a second one and was reintroduced to Mickey Mouse via cable T.V.  My husband found the "Disney Junior" channel and that started the Mickey Mouse / Disney craze in my home 3 years ago.  It first started out with Mickey, then all the rest of his friends followed suit.  Once my daughter graduated from those characters it was on to the "princesses".  Meanwhile, my little guy was passively introduced to Toy Story / Woody-Buzz and we added more to our love of Disney characters.

My husband and I as children had never been to Disney.  Twenty months ago we made our first trip to Disney World in Orlando when my daughter was 3 years old and my son had just turned 1.  We decided to take this trip because our daughter was so into the Disney characters and princesses that we wanted her to see Disney for what it is - Magical.  That trip was 8 days of total enchantment, fun and memories.  I left the Magic Kingdom on day 8 with tears streaming down my face.  I was genuinely sad to leave and made a promise we'd be back to make more memories in a couple of years.  I got sucked into the Magic of Disney.  Walt Disney was a very smart man!

Last Wednesday, we left for a 6 day trip to Disney World once again.  This time I wasn't quite as excited as I was the first time we went.  A week before we were to leave my daughter comes down with a nasty cold, then me, then my son and then my husband - all within a span of 4 days of each other.  Ugh, I say!  I hate to fly with any sort of congestion.  My ears hate the altitude and pressure change even without the congestion, I dreaded this flight not only for me but for my children as well - since we all were sick.  Fortunately, the flight wasn't so bad thanks to the lovely invention of the "earplanes".  We all managed brilliantly through the flight.

So my spirits lifted when I landed in Orlando and I felt the warm humid air and the sun, oh the sunshine.  Its something we haven't seen much of where I live since last Fall it seems.  We took the bus ride to Disney World and life just seemed to stop!  I had no idea what else was going on in the world nor did I really much care either.  I was in Disney World and life was good!  Not just good - FABULOUS!

As we walked through the gates of the Magic Kingdom, it felt like we never left some 20 months earlier.  Everyone and everything seemed to be the same - happy, bright and engaging.  Although, I must confess, I do think the workers were less "cheery" this time around in many cases.  Maybe its because I expected so much since our first trip was just so awesome.

Cinderella's Castle

We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge and our accommodations were great.  Our first room had some wet carpeting and because our son has asthma, they offered to move us to another room.  My son needed to continue his feeding clinic exercises - Disney supplied us at no cost a blender, peaches and yams.  My son is on a gluten free diet - a chef came out to our table every meal to offer selections for him or to cook him a special meal.  We couldn't ask for anything better than the treatment we received.  Its so nice to go to a place and be able to ask for the necessary "extras" and the Disney staff not even bat an eye!

The wonderful housekeeping of the Wilderness Lodge never
disappointed, they always did something "magical" with the
kids' stuffed animals and blankets!

We experienced so many wonderful things that a post wouldn't do our trip justice without pictures.

Our first visit at the Magic Kingdom was with Mickey & Minnie!

My son patiently waiting to see Buzz Lightyear!

My son finally meeting Buzz!  If you follow my blog
you'll understand why both my husband and I
were holding back tears.  My son was in the hospital for 19 days
and Buzz and the Toy Story gang kept us sane!

We were first in line at Hollywood Studios to see Woody
and Buzz!  One of the perks is to have Woody escort you in!
My daughter thought it was so cool!

The whole family with Woody & Buzz at Hollywood Studios.

This is what my son refers to as the "Zurg Ride".  He and I road this
absolutely fun ride 7 times during our 6 day stay at Disney.  You can find
this ride at the Magic Kingdom.  The goal is to beat Zurg.  I scored a high
478,300 on this ride.  Wahoo for Mommy!

Mr. Topato Head (aka Mr. Potato Head) and Lotso Huggin' Bear.

Special Agent Oso is one of the Disney Junior Characters.
He so happens to be one of my son's favorite Disney Junior  characters.
We were the 1st Family to enter the restaurant and my son was escorted
to his seat by Oso.  My son was in his glory.  I always thought Oso was
a little light on the "brains" but he was awesome with my son and made
him feel really special that day!

Peter Pan is my daughter's favorite character.
She actually had a pretend wedding in September.
Peter Pan was speechless when I shared this tidbit of
information with him.

The first movie my husband and I saw together at the theater
was Monsters Inc.  It was fitting that we  took our picture with
Mike and Sully at Hollywood Studios!

Snow White at Epcot was the first princess we saw.
My son was in awe when he saw her.  He does like pretty girls!

Princess Tiana looked so beautiful.  She was
wonderful with my daughter ....

.......and son.
We are very fortunate that she was wearing gloves.
My son loves chocolate and has a bad habit of asking
anyone with darker colored skin if they are chocolate!

Cinderella took a liking to my son.
She grabbed his hand and helped him to sit
right next to her.  He thought he was
Prince Charming!

Rupunzel and Flynn Rider were the characters to see.
Typically there was a wait of 2 - 2 1/2 hours to meet them.
My husband managed to get us in the first group and we
were able to meet them without having to wait but a few minutes.
My daughter was so excited!  Rupunzel was all she wanted to see.
I must add that Flynn Rider was definitely "eye candy".

Doing the chicken dance with the kids in Germany at the
Biergarten Restaurant in Epcot.
We had a blast dancing to the German Umpa Lumpa Band.

The California Grill at the Contemporary Resort was fabulous.
The food was so yummy and the creative presentation was delightful.
Even though it was a swanky eatery, it was kid friendly!
The kids behaved perfectly so there is hope for future swanky
Cleveland Restaurants in or future with the family!

Hollywood Studios is really cool.  I love the "film sets"
we were sitting on the steps of a flat in San Francisco!
My almost 5 year old daughter took this picture of me and my man!

My son tried and tried, but wasn't successful
at pulling out the sword from the rock!

Our last night was a pirate and fireworks cruise.

We got to meet Capt. Hook and Mr. Smee!

And the surprise ending was that Peter Pan was waiting
on the dock to meet the passengers afterwards.
My daughter was so excited to see Peter one last time!

Goofy is my husband's favorite character!
We finally got to meet him at Chef Mickey's
breakfast at the Contemporary Resort.

The Fairy Godmother has always been my favorite
mostly because I have a wonderful Fairy Godmother of
my very own.  She, like the character, helps to bring
fun into my life.

This second trip was all about my son.  He had a rough year so far, so it was really a trip that was planned to reward him for being such a brave soul!  But to be really honest ... it was for me and my husband too.  I know I've matured into an adult when doing things for my kids trumps doing things for me.  My husband and I got so much enjoyment out of our trips to Disney, because it was all for the kids.  The hugs and kisses and thank you's were all icing on the cake!  The look of wonder, amazement and pure joy is all we ever needed to see.  That was thank you enough!