Disney 2012 - Day 3

On Tuesday the boys got up around 5:30 am (What!?!?! Aren't they supposed to be sleeping in since we changed time zones!).  Carter woke up to Rylan screaming "Mama!" which switched to "Carter!" (he kept answering "Right here!").  So we had plenty of time to get ready and eat breakfast.

Unfortunately, we didn't get to the park early.  When we got to our car to leave, we discovered it had been broken into overnight.  Luckily there was no damage to the car.  However, a lot of stuff was stolen.  Including our double Maclaren stroller, all our nice raincoats, our light jackets, my running shoes, our DVD players, several DVDs, toys, books, and our phone chargers.  We called the sheriff's department and luckily an officer showed up quickly so could do a police report.

We finally left the hotel around 9:30 am but then had to find a replacement stroller.  We stopped by Target and Walmart but they didn't have anything that we liked so we went to Babies 'R Us when it opened at 10 am.  We ended up with 2 cheap umbrella strollers for $20 each.  We've always used Maclarens for this type of stroller and even though they are kind of expensive, they are worth every penny.  We miss our stroller!

After getting strollers, we headed to Animal Kingdom.  I'd never been there before so I was excited to see it.  We got through the gates around 11 am and immediately got a Fast Pass for the Kilimanjaro Safari.

While we waited for the Fast Pass time, we walked through the Panjani Forest Exploration Trail (which is like a small zoo).

The coolest part was the underwater hippo viewing area.  Behind all these fish are a couple of hippos.

Next we went ahead and ate lunch at Tamu Tamu Refreshments.  Even though the park seemed really crowded, the outdoor eating area wasn't crowded at all.  It was covered and cool with all the fans.  It was very relaxing and what we needed after our stressful morning.

After lunch we did the Kilimanjaro Safari.

We saw lots of animals along the way.

A hippo ...

Crocodiles ...

An antelope? ...

Something with huge horns ...

Giraffes ...

Elephants (including a baby!) ...

Rhinos ...

Another antelope? ...

An ostrich ...

The boys really like the jeep tour.  The only part Carter HATED was when the jeep almost got wet near the end.  When we tried to get him to go on the tour again later in the day, this is what he seemed to remember and the reason he didn't want to do it again.

Our next stop was the Flights of Wonder bird show (it was just starting when we were walking by so we decided to watch it).

The boys were only somewhat interested in the birds.  Rylan preferred to climb around on the bleachers.

When the show was over, we stopped to get our picture taken.

Then we got Fast Passes for Expedition Everest.  While walking Rylan fell asleep and we headed over to the Dinoland area.  Brian and Carter rode TriceraTop Spin (another ride just like Dumbo).

It was hot and we needed a break so we found a quiet spot on a little secluded trail.  Rylan kept napping, Brian got us a drink, and then Carter and I went to stand in line to see Pluto.  Brian and Rylan showed up right before our turn so Rylan joined us to meet Pluto.

Rylan decided he didn't like Pluto and tried to escape!

After meeting Pluto, we got a Fast Pass for Dinosaur and then took the kids to The Boneyard (a really neat play area).  While the boys played, Brian rode Expedition Everest and then I did.  It was a really cool roller coaster (one of the best I've ever been on).

While I was on the ride, Brian and the boys found the dig area.  They were having so much fun that I sent Brian on Dinosaur while I stayed with them.

Even with the Fast Pass, it took Brian awhile to ride Dinosaur (and it wasn't that great) so we decided to move on after he returned.  We were headed toward Discovery Island but ran into the parade along the way.  We ended up sitting in a nice covered eating area and watched the parade from a distance while eating snacks.

Our next step was It's Tough to be a Bug! (a 3-D show based on the move A Bug's Life - which was Carter's favorite movie for a long time).  To get to the show we had to walk around the giant carved tree in the center of the park - it was really, really neat.

I thought the show was really neat.  And Carter FINALLY sat with me.  I talked to Carter some about the 3-D images during the show and he started trying to grab them as they came at us.  Both boys (as well as most of the other young children) got scared during the dark bad bug part.  The fake stinger in the back got me and scared me too!

After the show we did the Express Train and did a quick walk through around Rafiki's Planet Watch.  The boys do love trains!

We headed out after this.  We asked Carter if he wanted to do some other stuff but he said he was sleepy and wanted to leave.  We got to the car around 6 pm and Carter had fallen asleep on our walk there.  After our difficult dinner at Moe's the day before, we picked up dinner at Five Guys and headed back to the hotel.

That night the boys talked to each other a lot while in their playyards but eventually fell asleep.  It was really cute listening to them!

Disney 2012 - Days 1 & 2

We started our trip nice and early - we headed out about 6 am on Sunday (April 15).  The drive took us just under 11 hours.  The boys did AMAZING with very little complaining (and very little napping).  We had movies on the whole time (though Carter kept saying that he didn't want his DVD player on so only Rylan's would be on a lot with Carter watching his).

So with the hour time difference, we arrived around 6 pm (Eastern).  We went straight to the hotel and let the boys run around the room.  I unpacked some while Brian got take-out from Chili's (we didn't want to force the boys to sit through a meal after being stuck in the car for so long).  After dinner we took a walk around the block and then hung out in the hotel a little.  In an attempt to keep the boys on Central time, we put the boys to bed at 9 pm.  We stayed at a Homewood Suites so that the boys could sleep in the living room and we could have a bedroom.  We put both the boys in playyards (though this was probably the last time Carter will fit).  They did really well in the same room though I think Carter is happy now to have is own room (and quiet) back.  It was fun listening to them talk to each other but I don't think Carter liked Rylan's screaming his name or for me in the middle of the night and early in the morning.

On Monday, the boys didn't get up until 6:30 am (which was sleeping in for the week).  We got ready, had breakfast at the hotel, and headed to Magic Kingdom at 8 am. 

 We parked and took the monorail to the gate (we gave Carter the choice of the boat or "train" and he chose the "train", of course). 

We were at the gate about 10 minutes before it opened and could tell that it was definitely more crowded than when we went in February 2010.  However, it definitely wasn't terrible.

We headed to Tomorrowland Speedway (when we described some of the rides to Carter, this was the one he got stuck on and was set on riding).  Both boys were tall enough to ride (Rylan made it by 1") so Rylan rode with me and Carter rode with Brian.  Carter was SO EXCITED to get an orange car!

Rylan cried (actually just fussed and whined) the whole time but when we got out of the car, he was super happy and said "yes" when I asked him if he had fun.

This was the start of Carter only wanting to do rides with Brian.  I never rode with him except for the couple of times I did rides on my own with the boys.  Carter would rather not go on a ride that he really liked than ride with me.  I guess that's what happens when I stay home with the boys and they don't have enough "Daddy Time".

Next we did Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin.  Again Rylan was not a huge fan while on the ride but super happy after it.  Carter really liked it though (he became obsessed with Buzz Lightyear during this trip - he's liked him for awhile, but not this much until now).

The line for Space Mountain was short so Brian went on it and I got a Rider Swap Pass (which I could use like a Fast Pass but it has no time restrictions).  While Brian rode that, I took the boys back on the Buzz ride.  Rylan was a little better this time.

I rode Space Mountain next.  I didn't get to ride it the last time we were there because I was pregnant with Rylan.  I didn't remember it very well either from when I was at Disney as a child.  It was fun but obviously an older roller coaster.

Next we did the Mad Tea Party.  Somehow we picked a cup that didn't spin.  Brian was happy about that (since he gets motion sickness so easily) but Carter and I were disappointed.

Then came Carter's favorite ride - The Barnstormer (or "Goofy's Roller Coaster", as Carter calls it).  I was nervous about how Carter would do (I kept expecting to see Brian and Carter walking out the exit without having gone on the ride).  Brian did an amazing job though of preparing Carter while they were in line.  They got to sit in the first car and Carter put his arms up some!  What a big kid!

Carter was so happy when he exited the ride!

Our next ride was on the Walt Disney World Railroad from Fantasyland to Frontierland.

We did Pirates of the Caribbean first in Frontierland.  At this point there was still no line for the ride and we walked right on.  Rylan was a little upset at first but then really seemed to like looking at all the pirates and everything else.

Next up was lunch at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe.  We ate lunch at one of the cheaper restaurants in the park everyday.  We packed lunches for the boys though and tons of snacks so it kept our food cost down.  I brought food from home so we didn't have to stop at the grocery store in Orlando either.

After lunch we went and got a Fast Pass for Peter Pan's Flight.  We didn't get any Fast Passes when we were at Disney a couple of years ago (it was that "empty") but we used them a lot this time and it was really nice to avoid so many lines.  As we walked, Rylan fell asleep so I took a break with him while Carter and Brian did the Swiss Family Treehouse.

When Rylan woke up, we did The Magic Carpets of Aladdin (we had to wait about 15 minutes and that was a long wait for us for the day). 

Rylan HATED it while we were on the ride but again said he liked it when we got off.

Carter got to control us going up and down.  He really liked that and kept us up most of the time.

Our next ride was Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room.  Both boys loved this show.  Rylan kept pointing at everything and yelling "that".

We planned on riding Jungle Cruise next, but the line was moving much slower than the predicted wait outside the ride so we got out of line and got a Fast Pass instead (it was so slow because all the Fast Pass riders were getting on and none of the standby line).

We saw Goofy outside of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride so we waited in line a few minutes to meet him.  Carter kept telling me for the week before we left that he wanted to see Goofy and Pluto (no idea why those two) so he was stoked about meeting Goofy.

Rylan wasn't too sure about Goofy though and was only okay as long as he wasn't next to Goofy.

We did Country Bear Jamboree next which Rylan also loved.  He was much more into the shows than the rides.

When that was over, it was about 20 minutes before the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade so we got a seat on the curb and waited for that.  Unfortunately it wasn't in the shade so it was hot but we survived.  We had highs in the mid to upper 80s most of the week with a descent amount of humidity so we were hot but definitely knew it would be worse in a few months.

Both boys were very into the parade. 

After the parade, we rode Jungle Cruise.  We got right on with our Fast Pass and were very happy that we hadn't waited in line before.  Rylan was very pouty at first (especially since the boat driver talked to him and he is still going through his super shy phase) but he got over.

For some reason the waterfall you go underneath was brown and the boat driver was extremely confused by that.  He said he'd never seen that before and all the boat drivers kept giving each other inquisitive looks.  We have no idea what happened.  When we went on the ride later in the week, it was back to normal.

Next we used our Fast Pass for Peter Pan's Flight.  We all fit into one car this time so I got to ride something with Carter.  It was hard for the boys to see the scenes below us so I don't think either one really knew what was going on.

Then we did Mickey's PhilharMagic, which is a 3-D show.  Both boys did excellent keeping on their 3-D glasses.

Carter just sat there like we were watching a regular old cartoon.  Rylan though got scared a few times about things coming at him and responded to the air and water that got shot at us.

We decided at this point to head out before we pushed it too long and the boys started to melt down.  One the way out we got a group photo in front of the castle.

We left around 5 pm and took the monorail back to the car (Carter's choice, again).  Both boys passed out while we were walking through the parking lot.

We went to dinner at Moe's and had to wake them up - bad idea!  They were not happy.  And they barely ate.  They got out of their funk when we got back to the hotel.  We played there for awhile, all took showers and baths, and got the boys to bed at 8:30 pm.  They both fell sleep pretty quick after such a long day.

Vacation

We're back! We've been at Disney for the past week. We had a great time. I have a ton of pictures to share soon!

Easter

The Easter Bunny was more generous than normal this year (actually, everything the Easter Bunny bought was 70 to 90% off).

Carter got a balance bike and Rylan got this Little Tikes gardening wagon (however, Carter thinks both are his) ...


Carter was too scared to visit any Easter Bunnies that we saw before Easter (he did wave at a few from afar) so I had the Easter Bunny leave Carter and Rylan a note ...


After seeing the presents, Carter told me, "I like the Easter Bunny now!"

The boys' Easter baskets were hidden in our bathtub. Carter searched almost every room before coming to our room. He was very happy to be the one to find them.


The boys each got a Crayola chalk set, a Crayola mess-free marker and paper, a Transformers Rescue Bot, a tube of plastic bugs, and a Playmobil toy set.


When the boys first woke up, Brian got them dressed while I played the Easter Bunny and hid the eggs. It was the first time I got to do that. I had stuffed a little over 80 eggs the night before with jelly beans (which neither boy liked), Smarties, and Dum-Dums.

After breakfast (as the Easter Bunny had instructed), the boys went egg hunting. Carter was on a mission to get all the eggs as quickly as possible. The two years before this, he strolled around and I was able to take tons of pictures, but this year I had a hard time keeping up with him!


A few times Carter decided an egg was for Rylan and would take it to him ...



Rylan was a much slower hunter. After getting an egg, he would look around for the next one before moving. He never picked one close to him either. He'd find one several yards away and go for it (sometimes Carter would get to it first though).







Ultimately, both boys seemed to have fun.

We spent the rest of the day playing with new toys and doing a few more egg hunts with the empty eggs. We finally got propane for our grill and got to grill out for lunch. My mom flew out in the late afternoon and then we went out for Easter dinner. It was actually great because we were able to try a Mexican restaurant that always has a line out the door by 5 pm. We got seated right away and had a really good meal.

When we got home, the boys opened up the rest of their presents from their grandparents (they already got a fun Little Tikes teeter totter from my mom earlier in the week). They got lots of fun stuff that they've been obsessed with all week.

Cool Hat

One of the presents the boys got from GG and Papa Art (Brian's parents) for Easter were these cool hats. Rylan wore his for awhile this afternoon - he's so cute in it!




Carter was line leader / helper at school today so he got to bring something for show-and-tell. He brought his hat. The teachers said he wore it all day until nap.

I've noticed Carter crossing his eyes a few times lately when he's making a silly face. Today he did it and he told me he made two mommies!