Hollywood Studios

This park was more for Mike and me than for the kids. Unfortunately, we found out when we arrived, that Star Tours (that all three kids had been looking forward to) was closed for refurbishing. Ryan was so looking forward to training with a Jedi :(.

We rode Toy Story Mania--very cool, and watched the Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Disney Jr. Live on Stage. The lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show was too cool! We met Mr. Incrediable and Frozone and ate at Pizza Planet!! We hit the Star Wars gift shop and saw the Studio Backlot Tour where we watched a tanker truck blow up. I remembered, seeing that, from my last visit all those years ago. We grabbed our light sabers and Goofy Darth Vader and it was time to go.

Lydia on a Speeder

Emily on a speeder

Ryan on a Speeder

Waiting to ride Toy Story Mania

Ate at Pizza Planet

Emily with Yoda on her back, holding her Lightsaber

Lydia, ready for Toy Story Mania ride

Ryan at Honey I Shrunk the Kids playgroun

We met the Incrediables!

Stunt show--sooo awesome!!

Honey I Shrunk the Kids

Our first break day

Dragon, in the water, made totally out of Legos

Our first break day.  We hung out at the resort all day and spent the evening at Downtown Disney.

At Downtown Disney we went to the LEGO store.  They had large tables with Legos in it to build your own Lego people and purchase them.  Each kid made one.

Emily and the Lego man she made

Ryan and his Lego man he made.

Live statue.  Tried to get the kids to walk up to him.  He kept putting his hand on kids heads when they would walk up to him.  Our kids would not get close enough.

Lydia swimming

Woody, made completely of Legos

Ryan playing at the "Water Park" at our resort.

Animal Kingdom

Fish tank that had a Hippo on the other side

Emily drummin

Lydia drummin

Ryan drummin

A beautiful waterfall outside of the safari ride

Playing in the water at the Boneyard

Lydia loved meeting Donald!

Our original plan was to spend today going to the Magic Kingdom the next day.  Even though we had not seen everything we wanted to, we decided trying a different park might be the best after the Space Mountain issue.  The Animal Kingdom was nice and shady and signs directing you where to go.  This made it so nice!  We started out riding Kilimanjaro Safaris, which was really cool!  Mike's dream is to go on an African Safari.  This WAS an African Safari!!  Well, as close as he will most likely get.  :)  We saw hippos, giraffes, lions cheetahs, water buffalo's, etc.  So cool!  And our guide/driver was awesome!
After our safari, we took a Jungle Trek.  Mike tried to talk Ryan into riding Expedition Everest, which he debated on going, but once seeing the big drop off he decided he decided to sit it out.  That is, of course, until Mike had already gotten in line to go on the ride and was too far in to get Ryan to him. 

Emily at the Boneyard

waiting to go on our safari

Emily climbing at the Boneyard

We tried to get a fastpass for Kali River Rapids, but they were giving them for very late in the day and there was like a 2 hour wait.  While waiting for Mike on Everest the kids and I rode Triceratops Spin.  It's amazing how long you wait for each ride.  We met up with Mike once we got off and headed to the Boneyard.  We saw Finding Nemo, the Musical, met Pochoantus, Donald Duck and Goofy and rode Wildlife Express before calling it a day.  Another AWESOME day!!

Magic Kingdom

Today we went to the Magic Kingdom. Our first stop was Cinderella's castle! We had breakfast with the princesses. After changing into our princess attire (Lydia and Emily), we got our picture taken with Cinderella. This was quite a big deal! After our picture, we assended the winding staircase to the dining tower. The girls were presented magic wands and Ryan received a prince sword. They were served a delicious breakfast on a plate shaped like Mickey Mouse's head. All the pastries they could handle and milks all around. While we ate, the royal court came around for pictures. We met Ariel the Mermaid, Snow White, Belle from Sleeping Beauty, and Rapunzel. Each one stopped, for pictures. It was quite a morning.

By the time we left, it was after 11. We headed for the Tomorrowland Speedway. Ryan and Mike shared race car-Ryan drove. And Lydia and Emily and I shared a car. Emily decided she didn't want to drive so Lydia grabbed the wheel. I operated the gas petal. "I can't believe I am driving this car all by myself!" shouted Lydia. It was so funny! It wasn't too long before Emily decided she needed to drive too.

After our Indy experience, we went to Space Mountain to get a Fastpass. The line wasn't too bad so we got in line instead. Had I remembered that the cars in Space Mountain were in front of one another instead of you sitting side by side, that would have been helpful. This was not a favorite of Lydia and Emily! Lydia came off crying and Emily got scared everytime we mentioned "space" and "ride" in the same sentence for the rest of the week. :) Ryan was in the front and liked it ok--not his fav though.

Buzz Lightyear's Great Ranger Spin was a great follow up! Once Emily realized this was a FUN space ride, all was good.

We watched the Dream Come True Parade, cooled off while watching Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress Show. We met Mickey and Minnie at Town Square Theater and left for a short break. Upon returning, we rode the Mad Tea Party Tea Cups, teh Walt Disney World Railroad and watched the Main Street Electrical Parade and watched the fireworks show from the ferryboat back across the lake. AWESOME!

Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin

Magic Kingdom parade

picture with Zurg after Buzz Lightyear

In front of Cinderella's Castle

Tomorrowland Speedway

Tomorrowland Speedway--Mike and Ryan

We met the mice!

meeting Ariel at Cinderella's breakfast

Mad Hatters Tea Cups

Cinderella's Castle Breakfast

   

Minnie and her "sister."  We always say that Emily talks like Minnie Mouse.  We had to have a picture of them together!

Cinderella's Castle Breakfast

Tomorrowland Speedway--Emily and Lydia

We're on the way!

The last time I made this trip, I was a senior in High School.  I won't mention how many years ago that was :).  My parents took my brother and me for our 3rd visit to Disney World.  I am now returning, as a parent, with my husband and 3 kids.  We have opted to drive the 14 hours since plane tickets, to Florida, for a family of 5 are a small fortune.  I really hate driving!!  I enjoy going different places, but not getting there.  Once there, I know we will have a great time.

Curtain Call

 A musical debut for Lydia and Emily. This past Monday, McGaheysville Elementary School put on a cute "movin and groovin" sing along. It included the Pre-K, Kindergarten and 1st grade classes. Ryan and I got there early so we would have a good seat and could save one for Mike. Unfortunately, he was unable to get away from work like he originally thought so he missed it. Neither movie is very good since I was trying to watch the girls without looking THROUGH the camera. Sorry. :)


The pictures are of the girls in Emily's class.  Ms. Raines says she "will never have another class like this one."  She loves them!!  The other picture is of
Lydia and Emily

 

"Mommy, can we take a haircut?"

Lydia and Emily have had their hair cut many times before, but have never had the shampoo treatment.  As I was sitting there watching them get their heads washed, I thought it was so cute!!  This past Sunday, after church, we went to get our haircut.  Just thought I would share these cute pictures!!

 Emily

 Lydia

 

Lydia's cutting

Emily's cutting