So we had the awesome opportunity, to head to Disneyworld, back in September.
We drove down to Florida, and met our friends Mike and Jennie there.
This is our second Disney excursion with them. We went to Disneyland, back in 2010
Seriously, we had such a blast! I love that Dmitri and Sophie can just pick up where
they left off. They get along so well, and I love it! Of course the same goes for Daniel
and I, with Mike and Jennie! We also had a few more additions this time -- Addie and
Paige were able to join us, along with Jennie's parents.
So here's our trip, mostly documented through pictures {a lot of pictures!}.
So the weather... RAIN and HUMIDITY! So that's why we all look like drowned rats...
I think we had rain, 2 of the 4 days we were there. It only lasted until about noon each day,
but the humidity and heat stayed!
We stayed at one of the Disney hotels, that's inside the Disney community {whatever you want to
call it}, so we were able to hop on a shuttle, in front of the hotel, and it took us to the parks.
Definitely nice and convenient!
So day one, we hit up the Magic Kingdom. Right away, we met with Pluto. We got there
early enough, so the line to see him wasn't too bad. Dmitri gets so excited, seeing all the
characters! After pictures, he always has to run back to them, for one last hug. That and he
hugs them, like they're his best friends! xD
After Pluto, we headed over to Fantasyland. On the way there, we stopped to see Merida.
Dmitri hadn't see Brave, at this point, so he just went with the flow. She was really cute, and
played around with the kids.
Also... enter the age of the cheesy awkward smile. It's a theme for Dmitri, through all of
these pictures...
There are a lot of things I love about Disney parks, but my favorite has to be the kid friendly rides. It was
so nice, that Paige was able to even go on rides! It was also nice having so many adults with us...
because she pretty just slept in her stroller...
While we waited in line for Dumbo, the kids played in this little play area. Even Paigey got in on the
action! They had a bigger play area too, with tunnels and slides, that Dmitri and Sophie spent
the whole time playing in.
After Dumbo, we headed on some of the other rides in the area. I LOVE that Disneyworld has
little distractions for the kids, while we wait in line. Disneyland didn't have these. Awesome!
After Fantasyland, we headed over to Frontierland, and said hello to Donald.
He's one of Dmitri's favorites, because both their names start with D, and Dmitri's
middle name is Donald.
While we were waiting in line for Donald, the kids started to get antsy, and were kicking
While we were waiting in line for Donald, the kids started to get antsy, and were kicking
each other in the behinds. Just being silly, so after photos, we stopped for some lunch!
After lunch, we hit up Splash Mountain! Dmitri and Sophie were tall enough to ride it,
so that was VERY exciting! I was a little worried, about how Dmitri would do, but he
LOVED it! Mostly because he got splashed at the drop. So that's a win in his book!
And yes. I'm a wimp, and wore a poncho! xP
After Splash Mountain, we caught one of the Parades, that had just started. They had a ton
of characters in it. I didn't even add all the photos, to this collage.
After the parade, we made our way to the Jungle Cruise, just not before stopping for pictures
with Goofy! Somewhere along the lines, Dmitri scored a spyglass... There are shops
everywhere... everywhere!
Paige's first 'boat ride'! My favorite of the Jungle cruise, are always the elephants and the
hyenas.
We hit up some of the other rides, and also had a meet up with Mickey.
Next to the Mickey met, they also have the Princesses. So after saying goodbye to Mickey, we
Next to the Mickey met, they also have the Princesses. So after saying goodbye to Mickey, we
headed over to see them. Sophie was so cute! She was definitely very excited! Dmitri wasn't sure
about their dresses. He would look down at his feet, to make sure he wasn't stepping on them!
Again... enter the awkward smile! xP
Cinderella first...
Next came Belle...
And then we saw Rapunzel! She even let Sophie 'try' on her hair!
There is a plus, to seeing Princesses, when you're a boy... He got a smooch from each one!
Though he looks less than thrilled, in the Rapunzel picture! x}
We hit up some other rides, and then had some dinner, followed by a fireworks show.
They sure do know how to put on a show!!
And that ended our first day in Disneyworld!
So day two, we didn't start out with rain, but it was HOT! We headed over to the
Animal Kingdom, and checked out the Safari. Gotta say, it was not a favorite for Dmitri
or I. He was ready to jump off the jeep, and could not sit still!
Paigey enjoyed herself... thanks to her hat! ;)
After the safari, we went to the Dinoland area, and rode some of the rides there.
The kids also got to play in the dino playground, and we could hardly get them out of there!
Well, you could hardly get me out of there! Shade, fans, and some misting water. It felt heavenly!
I didn't get a ton of pictures, but we also rode the rapids. That was probably Dmitri's favorite
ride of all! I wore my poncho again... and the boys got SOAKED!! Like seriously drenched!
Dmitri LOVED it! Daniel... didn't like the water, mixed with humidity, mixed with sweat! I was
happy I opted for a poncho... ;)
We also watched the Finding Nemo musical. I was a bit apprehensize, because Dmitri can hardly
sit through a whole movie! But it was pretty awesome, and he was mesmerized!
One of the highlights of Animal Kingdom, was Everest. My little sister had been telling me about
it for awhile, and said we had to go on it. So we waited until the park was almost closed {Animal Kingdom
closes at 4}, and all the adults had a go. It was awesome!! There was no wait, so we seriously rode it like 5
times in a row! I don't get sick on rides, but that ride back to back, I got a little nauseous at the end! xP
So after that, we were done for the day, and just met Mike and Jennie at their hotel, for some swimming.
After swimming, Jennie's parents took Sophie, Dmitri, and Addie, back to the room for the night. Then the
four of us {along with Paige}, went and had dinner at Downtown Disney, and walked around the shops.
So that was day two!
Day three, we headed to Epcot.
It was SO much bigger, than I ever thought it was! I used to think there was nothing to see there,
but holy cow, I was wrong!
We jumped on the shuttle, and got there bright and early. While we waited for everyone else
to get there, we stood in line for Stitch and Daisy.
Awe, Dima and Stitch, both from Hawaii ;) Well, not so much Dmitri anymore!
Dmitri even got a smooch from Daisy!
We met up with everyone, after that, and then headed to check out more characters. They have a studio
set up, where you can met each of the main characters, and get a picture with each one. The line
wasn't too bad, and we got to watch some old Disney shorts, while we waited.
So that picture on the right, is the giant Epcot ball! It's HUGE, and you get to walk right underneath it.
Inside they have a ride, along with some futuristic games to play.
Here are some of the exhibits, that they have inside. The kids loved the hockey game!
We also took the kids on Soarin' {over California}.
They also have a Nemo ride there, which ends inside of a big aquarium. If you didn't know before, I LOVE aquariums! I could hang out in one, all day! 
Once we were done there, we headed out, and checked out the other attractions.
In Epcot, they have this World Showcase area. It's made up of a bunch of differenct countries,
and you get to basically visit each country, and sample food, and learn about them.
The middle picture, is Dmitri fighting the trolls of Norway! That ended with him fighting us,
over the viking armor... That was a mighty battle, and Daniel and I won!
Another one that we saw, was Italy. The kids loved the fountain, and enjoyed throwing pennies in.
Along the way, we also saw England, Germany, France, China, and Japan. That's a lot of traveling,
for one day! ;) Paige was a good sport about it though!
After Epcot, we headed to Disney's Hollywood Studios. We rode the Rockin' Roller Coaster, and
took the kids {just Dmitri and Sophie}, on the Tower of Terror. I don't think we told Dmitri what
to expect, but he handled it pretty well, but it did freak him out a little!
We split up for a bit, and the big boys went on Star Tours. We were waiting in line to see Woody and
Buzz, and Daniel called and said he needed to take Dmitri on Star Tours. So while I waited in line,
they rushed over to do that.
It worked out, because the Woody and Buzz line was SLOW!!! It wasn't terribly long, just slow.
Luckily the kids did a good job {thanks to Disney}, or occupying themselves.
It was worth the wait. Two of Dmitri's favorites, and he got to see them together, and give them
multiple hugs!! So exciting for him!!! And hello, he even got to stand on Andy's bed with them! ;)
After that, Jennie and I took the kids on the Toy Story ride. It was fun, and Dmitri had a
great time shooting at things! We didn't do too bad either! :)
So that rounded out our third day. We missed seeing the night show, because it filled up fast. But
we had packed in a lot that day, so I was good!
Day four, was our last day there. Daniel and I decided we'd stay until noon, and then make the
7 hour drive home. We headed back to the Magic Kingdom, and hit up all our favorite rides
{Pirates, Big Thunder Railroad, Matterhorn}, and then headed back home.
We did grab some ears for the kids, before we left though! It's a Disney tradition. Dmitri got his
second set of ears, and Paige got her first!
We had an amazing trip! It was so fun to be with Mike and Jennie again, and look forward to
our 2014 Disney trip together ;)
Here are some phone pictures too! Top left, Dmitri had the worst gas, on the way down there!
Poor Daniel, had to take the brunt of it ;)
Picture two, Dmitri wearing his 'First Visit' pin!
Sigh... I miss Disney!! x[
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