DisneyWorld or Bust

The Marcille's do DisneyWorld! It was a whirlwind vacation with definite ups and downs. We dubbed the trip DisneyHurl for the many times Jay and Andrew decided to throw up during our stay. Needless to say, Andrew does not like to interact with "live" characters and Jay hates any sort of ride in the dark. Aside from these two life learning lessons, we did have a good time at the Magic Kingdom, despite having to change Jay into 3 different outfits throughout the day. The crowds weren't too bad and we didn't wait for a ride any more than 20 minutes. Pretty good for DW! We can't imagine what it's like during peak times! Our hotel was in walking distance of DownTown Disney, a great place to walk around, shop, people watch, and grab dinner - but you must be prepared to wait, wait some more, and wait again. A friend told us to go to the T-Rex Cafe and I must say, it lived up to the hype. It is a visually striking restaurant with animated dinosaurs and sand pit where kids can dig for bones - this was Jay's favorite part. I highly recommend this to anyone who is planning a trip to DW, just go early, or at an off hour - maybe 3pm.

All in all, a good time was had by all, but in hindsight, Jay and Andrew were probably a little young to fully appreciate what DW is all about. Scott and I have decided that the next trip to this wonderland theme park is about 6-7 years out. Hopefully by then all children will be self sufficient thus eliminating a need for a stroller, Jay's fear of dark rides will be cured, and Andrew will appreciate "live" characters. Here are the pics that tell the story.... The classic family pic in front of Cinderella's castle taken right after we arrived in the MK.

We left ATL Thurs. 4/22, arrived at our hotel Friday, 4/23 and spent some time by the pool. The boys loved swimming around with us. Here's our little surfer dude Andrew.

Scott and Andrew - pool fun!

Jay, Scott, and Andrew - the boys loved the waterfall in the center of the pool. Good thing we are starting Jay in swim lessons in May.

Here are Scott and Jay in DT Disney. There is a Lego shop there with several elaborate lego features - here is the Loch Ness monster, made entirely of legos.

Jay enjoyed the carousel in DT Disney and again at the Magic Kingdom. What a smile!

Ahhh.... the character breakfast that went awry. This was at our hotel - Andrew FREAKED out at the sight of Pluto, started crying and physically shaking with fear, and then threw up all his chocolate milk, all before 8am on our day to go to the Magic Kingdom. The breakfast for Scott and I was great and it's good to have a big, solid meal before schlepping through the MK.

Andrew's reaction to Pluto... he absolutely hated this breakfast, so did Jay.

Jay trying to get away.... the characters didn't return to our table, thankfully!

Scott and Jay trying to figure out what to do first in the MK. Note: this is Jay's 1st outfit - navy shorts w/shark shirt.

Mickey and Minnie with Cinderella and Prince Charming... taken from afar.

Jay loving the Swiss Family Robinson tree house. Very cool...

Jay and Dad on Aladdin's flying carpets - Jay didn't mind this ride.

We all went on a Small World... after much coaxing to Jay. Note, he is wearing his second shirt after he threw up in the tunnel on the Jungle Cruise.

Strollers! Scott and I had several arguments over the stroller - should we bring it or not. We did, and it was a bit cumbersome to haul on and off the buses to our hotel, but otherwise, I was glad we had it for the boys to take a break, Scott still curses it. But, as you can see, there is no shortage of strollers around DW and people who bring them or rent them. Stroller parking is everywhere with attendents to make sure all the strollers are parked accordingly. If you have little ones and are going to DW, take the stroller. (note the attendant in the green pants straightening out the strollers)

Jay enjoying the train ride around DW in his third outfit for the day. This after we went on the Buzz Lightyear ride in which Jay proceeded to hurl all over our little cart. I felt like such a horrible Mom watching him scared and sick from fright (he kept telling me he wanted to go home), and thankful that Disney has people to clean up such messes! Here's the thing, it was a ride in the dark, but not scary and Jay's best bud, Graham, loved this ride 2 months ago - so much so he rode it twice! Go figure...

Scott and a very tuckered out Andrew on our train ride around the Magic Kingdom.

Jay was fascinated with the real steam engine that had to be filled with water upon our return.

Outside of Mickey's House - we didn't dare go in though.

Andrew enjoying an ice lemonade.

Jay riding the cars with Dad -- this was his favorite ride and later in the day Jay and I went again. His obsession with cars continues....

Goodbye Magic Kingdom! In total we were at the park for 8 hours. The boys slept well that night, in fact, they slept until 9am the next morning. Look at Andrew - he looks happy that we are leaving.

That night we went to the T-Rex Cafe in DT Disney. Scott waited 15 minutes to get a reservation time 1 1/2 hours out. During the hour and a half wait I was back at the hotel showering and bathing the boys. It was worth it though! A very cool place, just go some other time than the peak dinner times - like we did - of course! A very happy Jay with his new flashing red cup - literally, it switches off and on at the bottom so you can dine with with a red flashing light! Yippee! (cost: $5 since it's yours to keep - not disclosed at time of order)

The sandpit where you dig for dinosaur bones - Jay and Andrew loved it. And that my friends, was the end of our trip. We had plans to spend a night and day on Amelia Island, but due to weather, we headed back to Atlanta. DW 2010!