polkadots and lollipops: 2011

Disney Day 1

We begin our adventure with 2 princesses, Sam, the King and Queen. We headed for the airport nice and early. The princesses made it through the first flight watching Sleeping Beauty to get in the Disney frame of mind.

Our layover was a short stop in Nashville- just enough time for lunch, bathroom break, and to burn some energy in the play area located right next to our gate (what a blessing that was). We boarded our next fight and headed straight for Mickey's home.

The royal family's coach (a toyota minivan) was awaiting to take us to our condo (or "coupon" as Linley referred to it). We were met at the airport by the rest of the Haines family- GiGi, Grandpa, and Uncle Phill.

After settling in and unloading we began our fun at Downtown Disney. We dined for dinner at Portobello (great Italian food and service btw).

Then we enjoyed the evening shopping, listening to the live music, and checking out the incredible Lego figures.

now that's a creation!

mouse ears!

beautiful Christmas trees EVERYWHERE!

I love you to infinity and BEYOND!

Disney Day 2

Magic Kingdom was a must for our first day at the parks. Adventure Land was a huge hit with the girls- they took two rides on the magic carpets, went on a jungle cruise, sailed with the pirates of the Caribbean. Then we watched the beloved County Bear's Jamboree-Linely really liked this! And then it was time for the ever so classic It's a Small World!

Here we come!

ferry ride to the Magic Kingdom

Disney at it's Christmas best!

a whole new world- on a magic carpet ride

Peter Pan!

Sam doing what he does best

It's a small world after all!

Next we had lunch reservations at the Crystal Palace with Winnie the Pooh and friends. The food was great and the characters came around to visit each table-I recommend this character meal to any family with young children!!!! Our 3 LOVED it!!!!!!!

so excited!

isn't she cute! (thats a statement not a question)

Piglet <3

T-I-double G-er

Pooh hug!

Winnie the Pooh

The day continued with a dance party, spinning teacups, and blasting aliens, 3D shows (watching Annabelle grab the lady in front of her because she was "touching the movie" = hilarious).

groovin' with Goof

alien blasting

Tea with the mad hatter

the whole gang

nap time

It was a good day!

Disney Day 3

on our way to Animal Kingdom

This was our day at Animal Kingdom. Jonathan was not impressed with this park but this was my first visit there so I was excited to see what it was all about. We headed first for the Tree of Life to see the Bug's Life show.

As you enter the show you pass beneath the tree and begin to see that the branches and roots are cleverly carved with animals big and small, living and extinct.
The show was 3D and as it started I saw that Linley wasn't going to like this one, it was a little too real and loud for her-Grandpa kindly took her out to wait for the rest of us. I'm glad she left before the spiders dropped from the ceiling - that would have sent her over the edge! Annabelle was amazed by this "real" experience.

Next up was the safari ride- we fast passed it- even Sam Man got to ride this one. It was neat to see all the animals and my zoo loving children enjoyed it very much!

safari time

lots of hippos

huge gator

giraffes were so pretty

peek a boo

no caption needed here:)

Jonathan was ready to leave before we even got off the tram and through the front gates so after lunch we dashed off to Epcot. We had half a day left so we spent it on the science side of the park. GiGi and Sam hung out as we checked out the attractions with the girls. The new Finding Nemo ride was super cute!!! I rode with Linley and got to hear her oohhh and aahhh the entire ride. It was really neat the way they used a real aquarium and beamed the cartoon image into the water- I was impressed!

fish are friends- not food

We ended the day with the fireworks over the lake.

Later that night, tired from the day's events we bathed and pajamaed the kiddos. After getting the girls settled down for the night Linley threw up twice- the stomach bug had joined our trip. By this time it was after midnight, we had used up all the condo's clean sheets and even borrowed some from Uncle Phill's room. Jonathan changed the sheets yet again and we all got a couple of hours of sleep before the alarm went off.

Disney Day 4

This was our BIG day! We had plans to meet Cinderella in her castle for lunch! So we got up early in hopes of arriving in time to pick out a new princess dress for the girls. We didn't make it there before round two hit- in the car- so Linley never made it to her royal luncheon. GiGi and Lu returned to the "coupon" for some R&R. Thank goodness for loving grandparents and their nursing skills:)

The rest of us helped Annabelle pick out her new dress and over priced accessories. Then lunch was served at the castle!

Cinderella dress, tiara, gloves, purse and autograph book of course

Snow White

Aurora

Ariel

Belle and Annabelle

Ariel, Aurora, Belle and SnowWhite made stops at our table. The food was great and the dessert was wonderful-Annabelle got the cutest cupcake to decorate at the table.

cupcake decorating:)

Leaving the royal banquet

She left with a magic wand and wishing star, and professional photos taken with Cinderella. We spent most of the rest of the day in Fantasy Land- teacups, Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan. That night we caught the electrical parade in front of the castle and fireworks!

Disney Day 5

Linley was feeling better so the entire group was able to enjoy MGM or Disney Hollywood Studios.

all better

We had heard a lot about the new Star Wars ride and it was even advertised on our room key (Very fun says Yoda!) so getting our fast pass right away was a must! In the meantime we took the backlot tour, saw the classic Muppets 3D show, and my very favorite show- Beauty and the Beast ( it was amazing! Broadway quality).

Star Tours was great and lived up to the hype! JP, Phill and I rode and we all enjoyed it very much- its a 3D show/simulator/ live action ride-very cool!

The Little Mermaid show was a big hit with Annabelle- the real Ariel sings and you get splashed by the waves as you go "under the sea".

We ended the day with Fantasmic- if you haven't seen this before I recommend seeing it! It's located close the Tower of Terror- its a great show with lots of characters! They project cartoons onto a screen of water, you watch Mickey battle the villains, see Princesses dancing and dragons spitting fire- it's got something for everyone! Fireworks and music- it's a wonderful show!

Disney Day 6

By day 6 we were all pretty worn out- unfortunately GiGi was now sick (Linley had kindly shared her germs). The rest of us had another date planned-this time at Epcot with the princesses. We arrived about an hour before our reservation and the "grown up children" enjoyed Mission to Mars and Test Track. Annabelle was fading fast wanting to sleep in the stroller- at first I thought she was just wiped out, but then she complained about begin hot and her tummy hurting....... Then I knew she too had contracted the stomach bug that was tainting our family. It was time to get over to Norway for breakfast we planned on eating so Linley could see the princesses and then we would all head back home so Annabelle could recoup. As we waited to be seated Annabelle fell asleep (very unlike her). Breakfast was served.

Sweeping Blooty

No White

Mermaid

Cinderella

Lu got to meet Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White, and Ariel. Then they announced that the children could join them for a Princess Parade! Linley got to lead the parade holding Snow White's hand!

Annabelle was now waking up sitting on Grandpa's lap when it happen- yep all over the table- she threw up! Lovely! One is sick and one is parading around!

We came back to the condo before lunch and rested the remainder of the day. Annabelle was back to her usual sassy self and seemed to be feeling much better that evening. The five of us went out to dinner and a did a little souvenir shopping to end our first family Disney trip. We got the cutest Christmas ornament personalized at the Christmas shop (another place you must check out).

Linley was a ham posing for pictures everywhere:)

There was a Christmas present back at the condo that night for the girls- new Tinkerbell PJs!

Disney Day 7

We said goodbye to the grandparents and Uncle Phill early that morning and headed back home. We had a nonstop flight all the way home- everyone except Annabelle took the opportunity to nap a bit. It was Christmas Day but sure didn't feel like it due to the travel. We unpacked, popped in a frozen lasagna, baked some snicker doodles, and unwrapped our gifts. Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!

Team Haines' Recommendations

MAGIC KINGDOM
Winnie the Pooh Character meal
Magic Carpet Ride
Philharmonic 3D Show
Cinderella's Castle Princess meal

HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
Star Tours
Beauty and the Beast
Little Mermaid
Fantasmic Show

EPCOT
Mexico Ride
Epcot Ball
Finding Nemo

~More Disney Memories~