Party of Five: Discovering the Magic

Oh, how I love you Walt Disney World! You brought a week full of Magic, Excitement and Pure Fun to our family. It's going to be great to write this blog almost two weeks after our trip so I can relieve all the joy.

Welcome to Walt Disney World - We arrived on Saturday, August 14 and stayed at the Regal Sun Hotel the first night.

Swimming and pizza was our Saturday night fun. Carrington had no problem starting her vacation on the "fun loving" side.

Melissa started her vacation on the "cool and refreshing" side of life.

Katy and Kelly were all about sisterly love and splashing around

And it was all about family time for me and Aaron

Waking up the first morning surrounded be her best friends while watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. She had no idea what was a head - the time of her life!

Welcome to EPCOT - Day 1 (Sunday, August 15)

We met up with Daisy as we entered EPCOT. Carrington loves Daisy and Minnie and at times will mix them up when she sees them.

Carrington had no problem handing each character her autograph book but didn't want them to touch her or stand alone in a picture with her.

Daisy, you are loved!

A few steps away we found Stitch ready to give out hugs.

Taking in Nemo's Aquarium.

Donald Duck was spotted in Mexico wearing a Sombrero. Carrington was spotted running off right after the book hand off.

I love how Carrington checks the Character out while she is supposed to be looking at the camera.

The best thing at EPCOT (if you ask Carrington) was Mickey Mouse Clubhouse character greeting. We started with the mouse and ended with the dog (at least I think Goofy is a dog).

The Mouse himself!

We met Pluto on two occasions and each time, Kelly does not look thrilled to have her head in his mouth.

Miss Minnie, you are loved!

The Regular Donald

Group shot with Silly Goofy

Our first dinner with the Princesses in Norway

Princess Kelly waiting in line to meet Belle

Aren't they beautiful?

Sleeping Beauty wore pink to match the girls

Cinderella

I'm sure Cinderella was thrilled that Carrington was so interested in taking a picture with her.

Aaron was such a trooper. It was very hard for him to be surrounded by gorgeous ladies.

Little Mermaid

The scrumptious Mickey Ear pasta

The magical hat that makes children disappear. There would have been none on the shelf if only that were true.

Animal Kingdom - Day 2 (Monday, August 16)

Pocahontas

Jiminy Cricket

Kelly getting a glimpse of the animals up close and way to personal for me.

Daddy did most of the work at the petting zoo as I was ready to leave before we even went in.

Mount Everest

Magic Kingdom - Day 3 (Tuesday, August 17)

Unfortunately, my camera and the heat didn't go together so the pictures are a little blurry.

Our first character greeting at Magic Kingdom was Geppeddo

No trip is complete to Magic Kingdom without a Mickey Ballon. Two weeks later, it still has helium!

She loved the ballon and held onto it for most of the day.

Main Street Parade

Lunch in Cinderella's Castle

When You Wish Upon a Star...

You get Magical Desert like this!

Riding in the Tea Cup. I think they all came off a little dizzy.

High in the sky with Dumbo.

Doesn't the castle look enchanting at night?

The Electrical Parade

There were fireworks after the parade that lasted until almost 11pm. Carrington hung in there to see the sky light up but it was lights out right after.

Typhoon Lagoon Water Park - Day 4 (Wednesday, August 18)

My camera was in the hotel room charging so I didn't get any pictures. It was another hot day but being in the water made it a little more bearable. The big kids had fun riding all the slides, going around the lazy river, and trying to body surf in the wave pool.

Hollywood Studios - Day 5 (Thursday, August 19)

I think for most of us, this was the hottest and most tiring day of them all. We saw several shows like Beauty and the Beast, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and the Car Stunt Show, and rode several roller coasters but the day ended early so we could head to Downtown Disney for dinner and shopping.

Rockin' Roller Coaster

Downtown Disney was a neat place to walk around, have dinner and do a little shopping. This guy was real and painted in red from head to toe.

Magic Kingdom - Day 6 (Friday, August 20)

The big kids rode Splash Mountain while Carrington and I saw Country Bear Jamboree

Trying to patiently wait in line

Magic Carpet Ride

Lunch with Chef Mickey at the Contempary Resort

I just love her outfit and matching Mickey Ears.

She grew increasingly less willing to take pictures and by this point was ready to see the "real" Mickey.

Mickey and His Ladies! Melissa, where are your ears?

Pluto eating Kelly's head again.

She was ready to dive right in and eat all the M&M's.

One final picture with Donald Duck.

Carrington's final ride was the carousel. It's by far her favorite and we rode it twice because she cried when the first ride ended and she had to get off the horse.