We've been counting down the days until our trip since we began planning it (7 months ago!), but we finally were able to post a countdown calendar on the fridge 30 days before we left. The kids were so excited every day to "X off another Mickey", knowing that when they were all crossed off, it was TIME.
Avery awoke first that morning and tiptoed (while running and gleaming) into my bathroom where I was getting ready, saying "Mommy, come quick! The sun is pink! It is today!" So cute. And, it was a beautiful sunrise that morning. Silas wasn't far behind her so we all three went to the back window and watched the pink sky get brighter and said what we like to say with beautiful sunrises and sunsets, "Thank you, God".
As a prelude, the week before, while Silas and Avery were in their room trying to party go to sleep, one of the times (of the usual 5) that they come out for "one last hug", both came out into the kitchen with serious faces… and Mickey ears. These two have been ready to go for quite some time!
We left when I got off work on Tuesday night to spend the night in Grenada since our flight left early from Memphis. Mimi had to stay in Jackson because poor Garnett had a sudden case of strep throat and devastatingly couldn't come with us. The Warfs had a great time with Papaw and tried to sleep… and headed up to fly to the most magical place on earth!
Silas and Avery haven't flown since they were about a year old… and certainly didn't remember anything about it. What an adventure! Silas was, of course, fascinated with the "x-ray" machines and couldn't understand why they had to x-ray our bananas.. while Avery wondered why all these people were going with us to Disney World…
We made it to our seats in the plane, and Silas took the window seat, Avery the middle and I on the aisle. (Bruce sat across the aisle) Avery was a little nervous as the engines revved up, but Silas was super excited. Silas: "Mommy, why the plane have wings? Where is the gas? Where are our bags" While looking at the emergency bulletin (the picture book) in the seat pocket, Silas looks at me while pointing to the lady opening the big door to slide out onto the raft and said, "Mommy. That's not safe. Not safe Mommy." Then, finally as we begin our take-off: "Mommy, we going now!!!" "We going fast!" (Avery is burying her face in my shoulder and holding my hand). Silas is talking loudly (we're working on using inside voices… haven't quite got that under control yet, excitement brings up decibels…) Silas: "Up, up, up!" "Mommy, we in the air!" Avery, by this time, has peeped out long enough to realize she was going to be okay and said, "Look, I can see everything!"
Silas then proceeds to raise up and hold his elbows up like a chicken clucking and explains to everyone within 10 rows in front and behind us, "now we go this way" leaning to the left with his elbows, "now we go this way" leaning to the right with his elbows…
Needless to say, they did not need iPads for entertainment. Nor did those around us. (perhaps only earplugs). The man beside us ordered two Vodka tonics…
As we leveled out in the air, Avery began her famous saying of the entire trip. "Mommy, I'm hungry. Mommy I'm hungry. Mommy I'm hungry." 100,000 times, same voice inflection, same emotion, very insistent… no matter how much that little girl had eaten. Amazing.
Well, we made it and Disney Magical Express is truly magical - our bags left Memphis and would arrive in our room without us doing anything. We got in line for the bus and headed off to the Polynesian! The front-desk personnel gave us leis and sweet Avery couldn't hold it in; she began to hula across the whole lobby! We spent the afternoon riding the monorail, exploring all the monorail lobbies and even took the boat to the Wilderness Lodge to grab some supper. The Sturdivants arrived later that night and we all were able to watch the fireworks from the beach looking at Cinderella's castle! What an awesome start to a magical vacation!
We were all so tired and had no trouble sleeping… and were up raring to go early the next morning! We grabbed breakfast and headed straight to the Magic Kingdom for the rope drop! Since we were staying on property, we were able to get into the park an hour early - we went straight through Main Street - beautifully decorated for Christmas - and saw the first real view at the Castle. I teared up as Silas and Avery bounced in the stroller telling me, "Mommy, that's it! That's the Castle!"
The Anna and Elsa line wasn't too long, so we hopped in line… but after about 35 minutes, we were so close to being there… and the fire alarm goes off. A cast member nightmare… oh well, nothing we could do, so the line dispersed… and we rode the carousel (what Silas wanted to do anyway).
We had a fast pass for Peter Pan's Flight - which turned out to be Silas' absolute favorite in the whole park. I loved it too:-)
"Think of all the joys you'll find when you leave the world behind…" - Sammy Fain and Sammy Cahn from Peter Pan
We then hopped onto It's A Small World…
Then the teacups… beware of riding with Silas and Avery… my head was spinning for 10 minutes!
Alice and the Rabbit were close by so we got our first autographs in our book!
Silas had no problem hugging the pretty princess...
Then off to Dumbo!
Lunch at the Crystal Palace with Pooh and Friends - so much fun!!
Then off to meet Ariel in her Grotto!
We stopped to watch the bands and shows in the streets in between rides - these two were game for about anything with permanent smiles plastered on their faces (like mine:-)
We staked out a great spot for the afternoon parade…
We hopped on the monorail for a quick nap… then back to the Magic Kingdom. We had tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party that night, so as people were ushered out of the park, we were able to stay! This was truly one of my favorite parts! The Park transforms into a winter wonderland with snow on Main Street and cookies and hot chocolate all around… with princesses and their princes, the seven dwarfs, others all around… short lines for rides… and special shows and parades. The Frozen show to light the castle is truly breathtaking…
We met Belle at her mansion… Enchanted Tales with Belle was a fantastic interactive experience where the kids were a special part of telling the story:
Then… off to see Anna and Elsa - the line was only 45 minutes, so we hopped in line for the experience…
Anna asked Avery if Elsa had put the frozen sparkles on her sweater… she was speechless and I think agreed.
Then...
And Silas proudly stands with the (two) pretty princesses!!
There is nothing like Main Street USA during the Christmas Party with the Frozen castle and snow!
This parade was simply spectacular!
What a day! We started at 7am and left the Magic Kingdom at midnight! The most wonderful place on earth!
No comments:
Post a Comment