The Emmons Kids

Day Six at Disney World

// September 24th, 2009 // No Comments » // General

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On the sixth day at Disney, we were all ready to enjoy the Magic Kingdom one last time and head home. Even Ally said she was ready to be home again.

After another breakfast at the Crystal Palace, where I got my final fill of Pooh’s puffed French toast, we were off to ride the magic carpets, pirates, Thunder Mountain (Eric and Ally), Haunted Mansion, carousel, tea cups and finally the Barnstormer.

The kids then had the chance to meet Buzz Lightyear and Stitch before we did some shopping for souvenirs and took the boat back to the lodge for lunch and the bus ride to the airport. We managed to make this trip different from the other two by trying new shows, rides and places to eat. All in all, it was a very fun, but exhausting trip!

Luckily, Aunt Sammy and Josh were kind enough to be waiting at our house with supper ready, and Pappy and Grandma Hensell arrived Saturday morning too, to help take care of the kids and give Eric and I had a chance to recuperate!

Day Five at Disney World

// September 24th, 2009 // No Comments » // General

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We spent the first half of our fifth day at the Animal Kingdom, kicked off with breakfast with Mickey and friends at the Tusker House. We then went on the safari and took a train ride to Rafiki’s Animal Reserve, where the live (and enormous) spiders they had there left me grossed out, Ally got to meet Pocahontas, and the kids had a chance to pet rather smelly goats.

As Ian napped, Ally and Eric rode the rapids twice, getting soaked the second time. Eric and I then took turns riding Expedition Everest, which was a great coaster. We took the bus back to the lodge for lunch and a swim and were then off to the Magic Kingdom for another character dinner at the Crystal Palace.

The girls rode Thunder Mountain, while the boys rode Pirates and the magic carpets, and picked up a Jack Skellington wreath for our front door for Halloween. The kids ended their night with the SpectroMagic parade, where Ally chatted with one of the dragonflies, and then Wishes fireworks. Eric and I ended the night very late after packing up all our stuff for the trip home.

Day Four at Disney World

// September 23rd, 2009 // No Comments » // General

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On our fourth day, we tried something new, breakfast at Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary Resort. After hearing so many good things about the place, I must say we were disappointed and don’t plan on dining there again (although Ally and Ian being exceptionally cranky that morning may have had a hand in the less than fabulous experience).

We then caught the monorail to spend the rest of the day at Epcot. While Ally and Eric rode Soarin, Ian and I checked out the Nemo ride. We all sat through Honey, I Shrunk the Audience, which was also disappointing, before lunch with the Disney princesses at Askerhaus. Ally had a chance to meet Mulan for the first time, and while Ian napped, Ally and I took a spin on Test Track, which was fabulous. When Eric went to get on the same ride, the kids and I used the opportunity to get soaking wet in a water play area nearby.

We then tried out Mission Earth and Innoventions before stopping at Imagine Works where the kids ran around a play area with lit squares that played music when you stepped on them. I was about to jump in when Ally grabbed Ian in a bear hug to stop a potential fight, but instead was happy to see that they took it as a chance to give each other the cutest hug ever.

We then enjoyed a hibachi dinner at Teppen Edo before getting a bus ride home for a chilly swim and bed.

Day Three at Disney World

// September 23rd, 2009 // No Comments » // General

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Our third day at Disney started with breakfast with Pooh and friends at the Crystal Palace, before Ally rode Thunder Mountain at least four times in a row. Even the staff was making jokes about giving her a frequent rider prize. It was time to find a ride that Ian liked, so we were off to Pirates of the Caribbean and took in the Jack Sparrow show afterwards going on nearby. Ally met Wendy next, and while she and Eric waited in line to meet Jasmine and Aladdin, Ian and I rode Aladdin’s Magic Carpets.

After lunch at Starlight, Ally and Eric went to meet Ariel, while my boy and I got completely soaked playing in the water in the grotto. Ally also stopped to meet the Fairy Godmother on our way back to the lodge for naps. Ian had no desire to sleep, and instead kept serenading us with, “yo ho, a pirate’s life for me.” Of course he passes out right as Ally wakes up from her nap, so Ally and I took the opportunity to go swimming while the boys napped.

Before we knew it, it was time to get in costume for the Halloween party and dinner at Tony’s Restaurant, which has a fabulous pumpkin spice cheesecake. We came out to find that it had rained and our stroller was soaked, as luck had it on the one day we left our ponchos in our room. After purchasing new ones, we were off to trick or treat throughout the park and watch the Halloween parade, during which Ally was greeted by a pirate and Captain Barbosa came to chat a fellow pirate, our own Ian.

After dancing it up with Stitch, Goofy and Pluto at their Halloween dance party, we watched the special fireworks display before heading home to the lodge and some much-needed sleep.