The Happiest Place on Earth.
Or, as Elliott calls it- Mickey's House!
It was sort of a last minute planned trip but we are so incredibly happy and thankful we had the chance to do this. I think we all needed it after the past few months of chaos... and before we have more chaos with moving, med school graduation and residency. It was so amazing getting to spend this quality time with Elliott. Disney World truly is the happiest place on Earth!!
The boys did amazingly well on the flights! Seriously, no complaints. The guy at the rental car place gave us a complimentary upgrade to a cool minivan. We rented a stroller that was delivered to the hotel. (Best idea ever!) Our hotel room was a suite with a living room and kitchen area with microwave/stove/refrigerator so we didn't all have to cram in one room... especially since my mom was staying at the hotel with Anderson during the days. And you could have complimentary breakfast every morning and eat all the mouse-ear pancakes you wanted! Haha!
The first day we got there we didn't even go into a park, we just went over to Disney Springs (free) walked around and had dinner. They had some performers, cool restaurants, shops, and other stuff that was well worth spending an evening there!
Since E is still so young and couldn't do jam packed days every day, we opted to just do 3 days in Magic Kingdom, where they have lots of characters, parades, shows, and rides that he can ride. And, yes, we had plenty of Disney shirts to wear every day. Ha!
In no particular order, here are some of the rides and shows we did at Magic Kingdom. Thanks to the FastPasses, being able to reserve time slots, and getting on the app to check line times at rides we never had to wait very long for rides which was good because with a toddler (or, really, at any age!) that's just not a fun thing to do:
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin: Elliott looooved it! We actually did this ride more than once on the trip. And, bonus, we got to meet Buzz Lightyear after the ride! The gift shops really get you... and we were suckers and bought Elliott a "Big Buzz" (the one at home is smaller) and then I ordered Woody on Amazon to meet us back at home. They make a little video of space martians talking and a picture of you on this ride and we have watched it 5 million times already.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant: Laughs, laughs, and more laughs! Elliott loved riding on the elephant and making it go up and down! I feel like you can't go to WDW and not ride on a flying Dumbo.
Haunted Mansion: Elliott actually did really good with this one... and then thought it was funny we saw ghosts and kept talking about seeing ghosts. I wonder how many people will think he's a sixth sense kid after he tells them he saw ghosts!
Lastly, a HUGE thank you to Grandmom for taking care of Anderson during the days. He loved going on walks and chillin' in the shade by the pool with you. Truly, we are so so so grateful to have your company when you're around, your extra hands, and your amazing skills at keeping our kids so happy and entertained! You're the best!
It's a Small World: He was mesmerized! And then Mommy and Daddy couldn't get the song out of our heads for hours!
Jungle Cruise: So fun! He has a great eye for animals and thought it was so fun being on a boat.
Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: Before riding on this short ride we stood in line for almost an hour waiting to meet Pooh and Tigger... only to have them take a character break and us having to give up our spot in line or miss our fastpass time frame for the ride. Elliott really liked this ride!
Mickey's PhilharMagic Concert: This was a fun and cute show! Lots of activity to hold a little one's attention... there's water sprayed and some other fun things, but it's hard getting a 2 year old to keep on his 3D glasses!
Monsters Inc Laugh Floor: Cute show! Elliott has never seen the movie so he wasn't sure what it was all about but the fun characters kept his attention! And it's just nice to go in the a/c and be able to sit down!
Peter Pan's Flight: Elliott does a mean Captain Hook impersonation where he puts his little hand out in a fist with a finger up to be his hook! It's so cute! He also had his radar out for: (said in a mean voice) "the Tick Tock Crock"... and ironically the ride stopped for a few minutes and we stopped right next to a good shot of captain hook balancing on his mouth! This was a fun ride!
Pirates of the Caribbean: He loved it! Again, he does an awesome pirate and looooved the gift shop after the ride. If we would have let him, he would have walked out of there looking like a real pirate! He wanted it ALL! Ha!
Under the Sea- Journey of Little Mermaid: Fun ride, kept his attention, but not a movie he has watched so he wasn't exactly sure exactly who Ariel was, besides a mermaid... but when we met her after the ride he was SMITTEN! They played peek-a-boo and it was the cutest thing I've ever seen!! After that he couldn't stop talking about Ariel!
PeopleMover and Railroad Rides: Both were really good. They give you great views of the park and it's a chance to just sit down, have some wind in your face, and enjoy!
On top of all that there were awesome Parades, Music shows and performers, a Muppet Baby Puppet show, lots of characters to meet, and fireworks! (And lets not forget about all the yummy food and treats we indulged in... candy, cookies, fudge, suckers, ice cream, dole whip, and all the "real food" too!) Oh, and the marching band. We definitely cannot forget about the marching band... Elliott LOVED watching the marching bands at the parades! It was so unforgettable watching him get excited to see characters and wave at them as they all went by.
And a couple things about meeting characters: It was SO FUN to see him get excited and interact with them. He and Mickey "marched like elephants" together and he asked Donald Duck where Pluto was! Hahaha!
I know I'm forgetting things but it truly was one week that I wish I could just bottle up forever and never forget!! I don't even know if Elliott will remember this trip forever, but we sure will and it was so incredibly special and happy! SO WORTH IT!!! And even if he doesn't remember all the little things, I think it's important to pour happy memories into kids even at the smallest ages. I can't wait to go back through the years as the kids get older and watch them enjoy and experience the park in different ways!
Lastly, a HUGE thank you to Grandmom for taking care of Anderson during the days. He loved going on walks and chillin' in the shade by the pool with you. Truly, we are so so so grateful to have your company when you're around, your extra hands, and your amazing skills at keeping our kids so happy and entertained! You're the best!
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