Epcot

Today we got a late start and ate a leisurely breakfast. Everyone is tired. We made it to Epcot by noon. We relaxed as we slowly walked through different countries. We watched a man stack chairs on four wine bottles and then procede to climb to the top and do a handstand. Everytime the wind blew I held my breath. Some people have guts.

We went into one of the Innoventions buildings and the kids stood and played video games. Michael was really trying although he had the controls backwards and up-side-down!

John rode a Segway. He had to go through a 15 minute inservice first on how to ride it. He thought it was really cool. We also rode Soarin' again and took in a few shows.

We were able to do a little bit of shopping before going back to the hotel for an early night of 8:30.

Tired Mom x3

Hollywood Studios and Epcot

Yesterday Michael and Luba picked out stuffed animals. Michael got Mickey dressed as Woody from Toy Story and Luba got Lady from Lady and the Tramp. This morning I just had to take pictures of them sleeping. :)

This morning my plan was to get up earlier than the others and get Fast Passes for Toy Story Mania, so when everyone got there we could possible be able to ride it twice. Dave, Shelly, Miranda, and Austin were ready to go when I was so we left John to help get the kids together. They just had to finish their breakfast. Well my plan backfired. I couldn't get fast passes for the others since they hadn't used their tickets to enter the park. Oh well. Since the line wasn't that long we waited in it and it was worth it just to see all the props. Once John arrived with the kids we waited in line again. I think I actually rode it four times. My arm was so tired from shooting I don't think I could have done it again!

Michael with a green army man and Sully

The streets of 'San Francisco'

Lightening McQueen and Mater

A poster in Russian

By late afternoon we left and went to Epcot since they were open late. We rode 'Test Track' and nearly froze driving at 60+mph outside. It got doen to the high 40's. We ate dinner and walked around some of the 'countries' before getting too tired.

Mom x3

The Magic Kingdom

Today the Magic Kingdom opened early at 8AM only for guest staying in Disney Hotels. We managed to walk in the gates at 8:45. The kids, (and parents), are really starting to drag. We were able to do a few of the kiddie rides before the lines got long.

We then went over to Splash Mountain. Dave and Kristina didn't want to ride because they didn't want to get wet so early in the day. It's funny, we've never gotten that wet on this ride. As we were sitting in our log waiting to go up one of the shorter hills we noticed the log in front of us get drenched. Apparently when a log goes down the big drop water atomatically splashes out on this area. We just laughed at the people in front of us, but they were wearing rain ponchos. We also did Pirates of the Caribbean which is a favorite of everyone.

Then we went over to Toontown so the girls could get pictures taken with the Princess'. They thought it was great.

Next we were able to go through Minnie and Mickey's houses.

Minnie's house

Mickey checkers very messy sink!

Mickey pumpkin Craftmouse tools, not Craftman

We were able to ride the kiddie rollercoaster before it started raining. At least we had rain ponchos with us and the rain did clear the park out some. We stood under some store fronts for the parade.

After the parade we went over to Tom Sawyer's island. Something which we had never done. It was neat to walk around the mines and forts. It would have been better if it was sunny, but it was warm and not cold. Sorry, I didn't take pictures in the rain.

Later we went back to Splash Mountain. Dave, John, and Luba didn't ride this time. I was amazed we had gotten Luba to ride the first time. All I can say is, I'm glad we had rain ponchos on! Remember our earlier experience, the log in front of us getting splashed? When we came around to that area there was a back up of logs. I could tell the inevitable was going to happen. I felt like I wanted to get out and push the log a little further forward. I just started laughing and ducked down as much as I could. The row with Michael and me took the full force of the splash. Unfortunately for her he didn't get his hood up in time. He just looked at me and started laughing. Once we got off we ran around to ride it again since there was no line at all. This time Kristina and Miranda were in the first row. I guess I was just destined to get wet, because once again my row took the brunt of the splash and once again Michael didn't have his hood up. The others in the log didn't get that wet! Oh well, at least we weren't going to be taking anymore pictures.

We left and got back to the hotel by 9PM for dinner at the food court.

Mom x3

Epcot and Animal Kingdom

This morning we started at Epcot. Before we ate breakfast the rush was to get Fast Passes for Soarin' which is a ride in which you feel like you are Soarin' over California. It is awesome! Trying to video the whole ride made it a little less scary since I was trying to focus on what the camera was doing. We also saw the 'Lion King' show/movie.

Afterwards we went over the the aquarium and rode the 'Nemo' ride. The kids thought it was great to see a Nemo and Dory fish. The also liked seeing all the big and strange fish and seahorses.

There were also many hands-on things or computer things for the kids to do and little play areas. They got to run off some of their extra energy.

Just before lunch we went over the the Animal Kingdom. After lunch we saw a few animals/birds and then we were able to sit down and watch the Jungle Parade.


porcupine and parrots

While waiting for the parade John noticed the 'ladybug' light fixtures. He was noticing different specialized 'lights' everywhere.

After the parade we went on the safari ride. This is an open jeep which takes you very close to the animals. At times it seems as if the animals could walk right up to the jeep, but we were told that could not happen.

Pink flimingos are pink due to all the shrimp they eat.

handsome lion

After the relaxing rides John and Kristina went on 'Expedition Everest'. This ride goes backward some of the time. Later in the day I rode it with Kristina, but the backwards part made me a little nauseated.

John and Kristina are in the middle row.

Another specialty light fixture.

After riding the dinosaur ride, which is a very jerky jeep ride in the dark we rode the Primeval Whirl. You are in a very small 'car'
for 4 people and it goes up and down, back and forth, and spins around. You feel as if you are going to fall over the edge of the track, not very much fun, for me. Luba loved it, this was one of the few 'rollercoasters' she wanted to ride.

Later, the kids were able to run around the 'Boneyard' for about 30 minutes. I was amazed they still had so much energy left, they were all so low on sleep.

We ended the night by watching the 4-D show 'It's a Bug's Life'. Each park has a 4-D show, you will either get 'rained on', feel as if mice are running past you, or smell very odd smells. The kids didn't like this so much.

When we got back to the room the towels had been made into a dog.

Mom x3