Disney World

Last Friday we took off for a fun filled week in Orlando, FL. We met up with Erick's brother and sister-in-law (Denis and Lisa) at a condo there and hit up Sea World first. Sea World was fun, but Elise was not as interested in the dolphins and whales as I thought she would be -- she even slept through most of the Sea Lion show.

On Monday Erick, Elise and I went to the Magic Kingdom. We got to ride just about everything we wanted that first day there (good thing because when we went back n Thursday it was PACKED). Elise seemed to enjoy the rides but the BIGGEST thrill for her was the luncheon we did with Pooh and Company. She was SO EXCITED. Everytime they left our table she would crane her neck and turn around in her chair trying to find them in the restaurant again. The characters really enjoyed her too. Pooh came back to see Elise four times while we were there and he was only supposed to make rounds once...but I guess when most of the other little ones are crying when you get near their table, it's refreshing to see one that is just thrilled to see you.



That afternoon, we took advantage of our Park Hopper and jumped on the bus to Hollywood Studios. We rode The Great Movie Ride and watched the Beauty and the Beast Show while Erick rode the Tower of Terror. The line for the roller coaster was really long and it was raining so we left. Erick and I went back to the Magic Kingdom that night for the fireworks show (thanks again Denis and Lisa for watching Elise!) and we rode a few more rides.

The next day all five of us made our way to Epcot (probably my least favorite of the parks). Future world needs an update BIG TIME because it just screams 80s. We rode just about all the rides - Soarin' is awesome - and visited the World Showcase. It was a very hot day so we spent a lot of time in the Innoventions buildings playing with the exhibits and letting Elise play on the floor. Other parents had the same idea because she made a few new friends in there and got kissed by a little 8 month old boy about three times. We got to take advantage of being a Rewards card member in Epcot. The line for meeting the characters was super long so we weren't going to do that but then in the Innoventions building we saw a sign for a photo opportunity for Disney Visa members - there was no line and Elise got to meet Minnie and Goofy.

On Wednesday we hit up the Animal Kingdom - probably the neatest place in all of Disney World. We got there when the park opened and were given Fast Passes to the Lion King Show. We rode Expedition Everest a ton and did the Safari twice - probably the greatest rides in all of Disney. We also rode Dinosaur which was TERRIFYING...Lisa and I were not fans of that one AT ALL.

When we got back to our condo we decided to take a nice dip in the pool. This was Elise's first time in an actual swimming pool so I was excited to see how she would react. I think she had a good time - but the silly girl kept sticking her hand in the water and scooping it up to taste it.

Thursday we did Magic Kingdom again - and Erick ran over to Hollywood Studios to ride the Rockin' Roller Coaster. Thursday was SWELTERING hot and the park was packed with Junior High kids (apparently it was field trip day or something) so it was very difficult to ride a lot that day with Elise. We still stayed at the park until about 5ish and then called it a day. They are expanding Fantasyland and I am SO excited to see it when it is finished. They are adding Ariel's castle, Belle's castle and Dumbo's Circus...plus a whole mess of other things...it's gonna be AWESOME! I can't wait to go back - we had such a good time and Elise just loved it!!