Disney World 2009

On Saturday the 3rd we loaded up the boys and the car and headed to Disney World. We kept it a surprise from Christian until the night before. I didn't want him asking every morning if it was the day we are leaving. Since we would be gone for Christian's birthday we celebrated Friday night over at mom and dads. Christian wanted hot dogs for his birthday dinner and sun days for desert. Afterwards we gave him he present, which was a Mickey hat, an autograph book and Mickey pen. When we gave it to him, we told him that once he opened it, that would tell him where we were going. He opened it, looked at everything and said "are we going to Disney World?" I said "yes" and he preceding to roll his eyes, and sigh. Not the reactions I was hopping for. I was looking for the excitement and surprise, and had my camera in hand to capture it all. He then put everything to the side and ran off to play! I don't think the whole thought completely sunk in at that time, after a while and asking what was there to do and through out the night he started getting more excited!


The next morning we where up by 6, and finished loading the car, and tuck two boys in the car and headed out to the one of the happiest places on earth. Both boys did great in the car, Christian had a DVD player and watched movies and Colin had toys to play with. We where making good time, and before we knew it we where headed for the Florida Turnpike. If I can give anyone and advice before heading to Orlando, it would be 1-make sure you have cash, and coins. There are tolls up and down the turnpike, and they do not take debit cards. 2- make sure before you get on the turnpike to fill up. The gas stations are spread out, and there is about 30 miles in between them. As we are headed on the turn pike the discussion came up should we stop and fill up or wait until we are on the turnpike? We opted to wait. So as we are headed down the highway and notice NO signs for gas stations, we find an exit to get off and try to find a place. That there was our first toll! One dollar, exact coins, no change. We are 25 cents short, but I must say the nice Floridians who where behind else, gave us the quarter, when I exited my car and walked back to their car. Only to see no gas stations, and have to turn around and get back on the highway. Where about 5 miles down I hear Michael say "I have a bad feeling about this!" We have now come open another toll, the one major toll on the turnpike, $2.50, and yep you guess it, I only had two dollars and NO they do not take debit cards. While we sit there and have the attendant write us a ticket so we can mail them a check for the $2.50, we finally make it through only to pull up and into the parking lot of the toll plaza and run out of gas! I go in and ask for some assistance, and was told a Road Ranger would come and give us some gas to make it to the next gas station 28 miles down the road. So, we waited 1 hour and 15 min, for him to arrive and get us on our way. Then we find a gas station, get off, fill up head back to the highway and pay yet another toll! The lesson learned, fill up and have money on hand! Alas, we make it to our hotel, which was right on Disney property and right across the street from Downtown Disney.

Sunday, our plans where to head to the Animal Kingdom. We woke up to the news that two monorails had collided and one of the drivers was killed. We had plans to ride one so that Christian would be able to experience it, because of that the monorails where to be closed for a while. Once at the Animal Kingdom, we realized it was not very crowded. We were able to walk right on to any of the rides, and had seen the whole park by about 3 o'clock. The best thing I think about the park was the safari ride,through Africa. All the animals where out and we got some great pictures. That evening we headed to Downtown Disney for a little shopping and dinner.

Monday, we woke up to, most importantly, tell Christian Happy Birthday! I can't believe he if 5, crazy how time flies by. We got ready and headed to the Magic Kingdom. Since the accident the previous day, the monorails where still closed so once, you arrived at the parking lot, everyone had to ride the ferry boat over to the park. Which took a good hour. Once we got to the park, we headed for one side of the park and made our rounds to the other side. The park was not crowed either. We were able to walk on to all the rides again this day, as we did the day before. In fact a couple of the rides, we rode, got off and walked right back around to ride again. It was great!! It was hot, but between a fan we bought, water, and taking in a lot of the shops that had air, we stayed pretty cool.

Christian had a blast, and Colin was just amazed at everything. I think at some point while looking at the characters he thought we were crazy, but he had a great time too! Michael and I even had a great time, so much that on the way back we were talking about going back next year. So soon I will be staring the planning process for our vacation in 2010. You always have fun going to Disney growing up and even when your an adult, but when you go for the first time with your kids, it is amazing. To see there face lite up, and smile, it is the best feeling ever!

I'll post pictures soon!