Disney Day 3

Another of my FAVS

So SWEET.

We woke up and ate breakfast in our resort this morning.  We discovered their breakfast is just as good as their dinner/lunch options.  I had Belgium waffles with bacon and fruit.  It was awesome.  Ava had cereal and my bacon.  I can't remember what everybody else had.....I have slept since then.  We got ready and headed to Epcot today.  It was hot again today.  I think near 90 and this park is almost all in the sun.  As we first entered the park we saw Daisy and Stitch and the lines were short so we stopped for a character greeting.  Ava didn't even know who Stitch was.  :)  I thought she would be scared but she wasn't.  We walked around the different "countries".  We were on our way to find Jasmine!!  We happened upon Belle, then found Jasmine and Aladdin.  It was funny cause Ava just wanted Jasmine.  She ended up taking a pic with both of them.  We also happened up Snow White!!!

Ava took a short nap in the stroller while we rested, then we went to our dinner reservations at Akershers Royal Banquet Hall.  We had to wait even after having reservations.  When we got inside we were greeted by Belle in her gorgeous Ball gown.  We had pics then went to our table.  We enjoyed a Cold appetizer buffet of cheeses, meats, breads and salads.  I loved it of course.  Adam was like yeah, Nicole could live off this stuff.  Our Entrees were so good.  I had mushroom stuffed pasta (one of my fav meals), Adam and Mom had the signature meatballs, dad had chicken, and Ava had pizza.  For dessert we had 2 platters to share of signature ice cream, pastry with fruit and marscopone cheese, and chocolate mouse.   Ava got to see her beloved Princesses......Cinderella, Ariel, Aurora, and Snow White.  We got pics and signatures, and Ava was glowing  from ear to ear.  This dinner was worth the whole trip!!!!  She was sooo excited and grinning!!!!  They did a little parade though the restaurant and I of course had to do it with her.  All the princesses took their hands and all the kids walked around waving.   It was so funny, Ava looked at me and said "Why are we doing this"??  I just replied they wanted everyone to see us :)

Mom will kill me, she hates this pic, but we need a whole family pic in this blog to prove they were there. :)

I mean come on mom, I am the one with eyes closed :(

After that we made our way over to ride some more rides.  We rode the Nemo thing and it was a great ride to just sit and cool off.   Me, Mom,and Adam had a fast pass for the ride Soaring so we made our way over to that.  It was AWESOME just not long enough. Dad took Ava to watch a Lion King show.  Ava spotted Mickey, and all his friends in a building so we went and stood in that line.  It wasn't bad.  She saw Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, and Donald.

Dad promised her ice cream so we got some for her.  We went back to resort early tonight.  We were all sooo tired.  We grabbed some food at the food court and went back to the room.  YUM I ordered Mongolian stir fry or something weird but good.  I think Adam did chicken fingers/fries.  I ended up taking her to the main pool and playground for a while before bed :)

Disney Day 2

We woke up and made our way to the Grand Floridian hotel for breakfast with Alice in Wonderland and friends (Pooh, Tigger, Mad Hatter, and Mary Poppins).   This hotel is out of this world gorgeous!!
We had a breakfast buffet of anything you can think of.  I am serious it was SOOO good.  They had mickey head shaped waffles, bacon, sausage, carved meat, bagels with spreads, create your own omelet, pastries, eggs, pancakes, fruit, toast, etc.   We ate and then the characters one by one came to our table for signatures and pictures.  Let me say this is the best way to see the characters and let the kids feel special.  My only problem is I don't enjoy my food because I am helping with pictures, getting signatures, and making sure Ava sees them all.  She loved it and I loved seeing her face light up.

 Mary Poppins

 Tigger and he was bouncing all over the place....so fun.

 Alice

Pooh!

After a huge breakfast we headed to Magic Kingdom again.  This time to ride stuff!!!!!!   We had the best time.  We waited in line to see Merida (Brave) for what felt like a while.  The weather was gorgeous today but HOT.  I think it was around 90. :(   After seeing her we made our way to the Tea cups, Dumbo, Its a Small World, Speedway, and by this time it was time for a snack.  Ava had the famous Mickey Head ice cream.  I had the pineapple Popsicle.  OH my it was yum.  Adam had the swirly Popsicle.  Ava loved the rides.  I was so relieved because she had been going through this weird stage where everything scared her.  I guess all fears go way at the Happiest Place on Earth :)

My FAVORITE picture!!!!!  Well one of them :)

We made our way back to resort for a nap/rest.  After that we ate at the Landscape of Flavors in our resort.  YUM the food is great.  I had pasta which was huge so mom shared it with me.  And let me just tell you about my all time favorite dessert while at Disney.  It was a mickey shaped head chocolate tart.  It had a border of harder dark chocolate and the inside was pure HEAVEN.  I can't even describe it.  It was almost like melted chocolate but thinner than mouse.  I wish I took a picture.....or better yet brought some home!!!! So after a yummy late dinner we headed back to Magic Kingdom for "Magic Hours".  A perk for staying on Disney property.  You can enter the park an hour before or after hours at certain parks.  This night it was MK and was open till midnight!!!!!!

 Ava with her glow stick/wand

 Just pretty pic at night

 Getting ready for fireworks

 Blurry pic :(

Tink flying off Castle.  Wish it was closer/clear

We rode Ava's Favorite ride, Aladdin's Magic Carpet, 2-3 times.  Adam had the famous Dolewhip.  It was so yum but I yet to know what it is exactly.  Then we headed over to Main street for the Wishes Fireworks. They were awesome and we had heard that Tinkerbell zip lines from the castle.   It was sooo cool.  Ava loved it all.  We had such a fun night.  The weather had cooled up at night so it was nice!!  We had a late night and headed back to resort about 10 or so.

Disney Day 1

We woke up early and picked up mom/dad then headed to the Birmingham Airport.  Let me just chime in here how much I LOVE flying Southwest!!!   They offer cheap flights, a friendly/funny crew, and free bags.   Plus other services many aren't even aware of.   LOVE!!!!!
The bad thing....they don't fly out of Huntsville.   OH well a short drive is worth it.

This was Ava's first time to fly.  I admit I was nervous for her (and me with her).   Dad hates to fly and we managed to talk him into it (well forced more like it).   They both did great!!!!  Dad has bad sinus issues so he was scared his ears/head would hurt.  It did but not bad.  Ava was nervous when we got in and took off. She didn't realize she had to be in her own seat and I couldn't hold her.   After she calmed and realized it was ok we played with her sticker book and looked out the window!!!!

 After she realized it was fun.

Before she got comfy and used to it :)

We arrived at the Airport and Disney's Magical Express picked us up.  We were on our way!!!!!
We arrived at our resort, Disney's Art of Animation.  This resort just opened up in May of this year.  The weekend we arrived was the first weekend the standard "Little Mermaid" rooms were open.  So YEAH for a nice clean NEW room.   My only complaint was the walk from the main hall to the actual rooms.  Since we didn't drive we had to rely on the bus pickup which was located outside the main hall.  

Notice the different outfit....I didn't take pictures the first day.  Don't ask why???

WOW words can't even describe how cute this place is.  KID HEAVEN!!!!!!   Its so animated and kid friendly.  They offered so many things just at the resort that you could stay there for days on end and not leave.   They had 3 pools, a splash type pad thing, and then 2-3 more playgrounds.   So neat!!!!!!  In the main pool you can hear music underwater.  I don't even have words for that.....

Dessert at Cape May

So after getting settled in we HURRIED to a reservation at Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club Resort at 5:30.  We didn't make it to closer to 6.  Nobody told me how LARGE this place is.  It takes time to get to where you are going.   Oh but worth it.  It was a buffet and SO good.  It might have been one of our favorite meals.  There was seafood, braised ribs with gnocchi, corn on cob, pastas, cheeses, potatoes, breads, carved meat, etc.  Then the kids had their own buffet of the regular mac and cheese and nuggets.  Then the ultimate dessert buffet.   There were so many selections I couldn't decide or list them.  I think I had a chocolate mouse.

Then we headed over to Magic Kingdom for some fun before the park closed!!!  This was Ava's reaction to the Castle the first time she saw it....

Priceless....I am so glad I caught it.

So we walked around a bit then caught the Main Street Electrical Parade.  Ava was mesmerized by the floats, and mostly the characters (that up till this point she has seen on TV and in books).

So after a long day we headed back to the room to rest and await our first FULL day in Disney!!!