Friday, July 30, 2010

Day 8: Hollywood Studios

If I had to rate each of the Disney parks, this one would (sorry) be last on my list.  It has a few fun things, but just didn't measure up to Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom or Universal Studios.

Having said that, we still had a great time!

The older kids took off on their own to find some roller coasters or rides that make you feel like you're getting thrown out the window or something....(not my cup of tea)....and we got to hang out with the coolest five year old on earth :)


Of course, Shawn and Tommy did sneak off for a few minutes of terror....notice the open windows, apparently while racing up and down in the elevator, they open sporadically as if you are going to get thrown out.  Ya.  THAT sounds like fun.

 

I preferred the scenery and wall murals that looked like you could just walk through them :)



Throughout the day, we saw some more shows - Muppet Vision 3D, Indiana Jones, The Little Mermaid musical, and I'm sure there's something I'm forgetting - rode some roller coasters and simulated rides (these were my favorite, of course) and captured a little silliness with our cameras....






Our last ride of the day was the new Toy Story ride.  We didn't get there early enough to take advantage of our fast pass, so we had to wait 2 hours in line.  There is plenty to look at while waiting!  The whole inside is decorated with crayon wall art, jumbo sized game pieces and every color of the rainbow :)




Some of us were a little looney by the time our turn arrived, but we survived. :)


Our time at Disney has ended, but stay tuned for our trip home...it had a few twists and turns of its own! :)

XO
Shelly

Day 7: Animal Kingdom

I think this was one of my favorite days!  The park isn't as big as some of the others, and it just seemed to be a little more relaxed.  Plus there was lots of shade....and boy, did we need some shade!! 


We took a bus tour through an African jungle....


....saw an upside down tree...


and lots of animals...



And of course had to stop and pose for some pictures :)



Every park has a parade (or two!) that the kids love...plus it provides some much needed rest for our feet! :)  The kids always managed to find their way to the very front for some personal attention...


One of my favorite things was the Finding Nemo musical!  It was really good (and in the AC).  :)


We spent some time at Dino - Rama which is designed for the younger kids....


...but of course the big kids had fun, too. :)


So overall...another GREAT day!!!  Stayed tuned for Hollywood Studios.....


See ya soon!!  :)

XO
Shelly

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Day 6: Magic Kingdom!! :)


What a fun, amazing place!  There is so much to do at Magic Kingdom!  It could easily be split into two days, but we, of course, did it in one day. :)  We did not leave the park until midnight!

Of course we got there a little late (somewhere around 10:30) and the parade is one of the first things we saw........


There were soooo many people there!  And all of the buildings are so beautiful.


Gotta get a pic in front of the castle! :)

One of my favorite rides was Thunder Mountain (because it's not to scary!)  Some of us rode it twice....


We stopped by Castle Couture to get Natalie a fancy smancy dress for our dinner at the Castle!  I sooooo wanted one! ;)


Doesn't she look ready to hang out with some princesses?


During our dinner, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Ariel, and Belle came to visit our tables.  The boys didn't mind at all! :)


We finished the day with another parade, a spectacular fireworks display....and a few more rides we just had to sneak in before midnight! ;)

It is currently Day 10 and we should be home.....but....we drove through Destin and Fort Walton Beach yesterday and the beaches were so pretty we had to stay!  So we rented a condo on the white sand and enjoyed a few hours of clear blue water :)  Taylor even got to do some scuba diving with one of the guys who lived and worked at the condos!

We got up this morning and headed home, but didn't quite make it.  The RV decided it needed a break in Mississippi :)  So we checked into another hotel to let the kids swim and hang out until the mechanics make the RV feel better!  Hopefully we will be on the road again tomorrow.....

So while everyone is sleeping...I am blogging :) 

Sweet dreams....

XO
Shelly

Monday, July 26, 2010

Day 5: Almost a Hurricane

On our itinerary for Day 5 was Disney's Hollywood Studios, but our plans were put on hold. :)

Tropical Depression Bonnie blew in for a visit during the middle of the day.


She only stayed for an hour or two, and really didn't leave much of an impression on us. We are thankful that she didn't quite reach hurricane status and came in south of us! If you look closely in the picture, you can see some teenage boys (including mine) still in the pool playing basketball.


Everyone else came in for some lunch...
Luckily there is a Domino's Pizza on the first floor :)


We ended up spending the whole day at our resort, which is nothing unfortunate, believe me!

Here is the view while sitting at the bar inside the club house.


And this is the view from outside the clubhouse.  Feel sorry for me yet? ;)


This is the second pool and the view from Tommy & Betty Jo's screened in balcony on the 5th floor. 


And again with the view from my lounge chair :)


See....I told ya....


The kids didn't mind skipping Disney for one day.....



That evening, there was a carnival at the clubhouse so we did some face painting and balloon art....


Played a little pool...


And enjoyed some non-alcoholic frozen, tropical drinks....yummy!


Coming soon....Day 6: Magic Kingdom and all it's awesomeness!! 

XO
Shelly 




Friday, July 23, 2010

Day 4: Around the World in a Day

EPCOT

How often does the opportunity to travel the world present itself?! :) 

On Day 4, we got to experience many different cultures while visiting Disney's Epcot.  If there is no sign in the pic, I don't remember which pictures belong to which country, so you'll just have to try and guess ;) 

Here we go....


Everything was so beautiful.







This next one is kind of easy ;)  ....(Not to mention it's my favorite!)




We were also lucky enough to catch some famous ladies visiting with their fans.........




Another great day! 


That's all for now folks! :)

XO
Shelly