The Emmons Kids

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.

Day Two at Disney World

// September 21st, 2009 // No Comments » // General

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We started our second day at Disney with a bus ride to Hollywood Studios for an early breakfast with JoJo, Goliath, June and Leo, and a cupcake and birthday card signed by all the characters for Ian.

Then we were off to watch the Disney Playhouse show and participate in a 3-D shootout on Toy Story Midway Mania, which we got stuck on when the ride experienced technical difficulties and shut down. On the plus side we got special passes to come back and ride again later that day with another minimal wait.

Next up was Honey, I Shrunk the Kids play area, which is always a favorite with Ally and seems to somehow be even hotter than the rest of the park. Eric and I had to divide and conquer as both kids were running all around and never in the same place at the same time. Eric got some creepy night vision footage of the kids playing in the tunnels there, complete with glowing eyes!

Ally wore herself out playing, demonstrated by the fact that she passed out on Eric’s lap during our lunch at Mama Melrose’s. Ian took the opportunity to use the fresh rolls and crayons they gave him to make sculptures rather than actually eat anything.

We then headed back to the lodge for naps and some time to cool off at the pool. With everyone getting progressively hungry and cranky, we passed on our dinner reservations and instead grabbed a quick service dinner, so that we could go back to the Magic Kingdom and end the day by watching the SpectroMagic parade.

Day One at Disney World

// September 21st, 2009 // No Comments » // General

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After getting up at 3:45 a.m. to make our 7 a.m. flight, we landed in Orlando at 9 a.m. We were lucky enough to have our room ready and waiting for us at the Wilderness Lodge, so after a quick nap, we were off to spend the rest of the day at the Magic Kingdom.

We grabbed a quick lunch at the Starlight Café and then headed to Pirates of the Caribbean, which is something the whole family can ride.

Then it was time to let Ally enjoy the fact she’d reached the magic height of 40 inches since our last trip, which opened up a whole new world of fun rides to her.

First on the list was Splash Mountain with Daddy, who got soaked since he insisted they ride in the very front. Ally loved it and was ready for her next thrilling opportunity – Thunder Mountain. This time she rode with Mommy and yelled this is so much fun for the whole ride. As soon as the car stopped, she declared she was ready to go again.

Instead we went to visit several princesses before taking to Ian meet his favorite Disney character, Mickey Mouse. Any fears that Ian might not remember meeting Mickey before and would be afraid were completely unwarranted. He smiled so big and immediately gave Mickey a big hug around the legs. He could not stop smiling, giggling and trying to touch him the whole time we were there.

We then raced cars and spun ourselves silly on the tea cups before stopping for dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern, where we celebrated “Patriot” Ian’s birthday with Mickey Mouse confetti and a cake delivered with bell and song serenade by other colonials.

To wrap up the evening, Ally rode Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain again, followed by the Wishes fireworks display. We opted to take advantage of the extra magic hours and stayed late to try a few other rides we hadn’t been on before, which was fun for all of us.

It was a jam packed first day, which was very apparent when poor Ian passed out sitting up on the boat ride back to the lodge.