Disney World, Day 1

I was so excited to take the kids to Disney World. I knew Ezra and Elliott probably wouldn't last too long at the park, but I also knew that Eliza and Robert would have the time of their lives.

We stayed at a hotel on the resort so we could have access to the buses that go back and forth to the Magic Kingdom and not worry about parking. It was a good decision. Our hotel, Disney's Pop Century, had a pretty interesting set up. We were in the 80's decade themed hotel rooms and the view from our window consisted of our giant trike, giant foosball men, and Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. 

Eliza insisted on hugging Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head anytime she saw them. She couldn't quite figure out how to wrap her arms around their ginormous bodies, but she tried.

The first night we stayed at the hotel, she and Robert yelled out the window, "Goodnight Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head!" Like I said, they really liked them.

The next morning, we left early for the park.

It was a Tuesday, so I had hoped it wouldn't be too crowded. I was seriously wrong. The park was overflowing with families at 9 AM! Marian and I mapped out our day, and we decided to meet some of the princesses first and then send Eliza and Robert off to their appointments at Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boutique and the Pirate League.  Both kids were awestruck by Rapunzel, Aurora, and Cinderella. I realized that Eliza isn't as extroverted as I thought she was because she was unable to talk or form any coherent phrases when the princesses talked to her. She stared at them in disbelief and started the strange new nervous habit of sticking her entire hand in her mouth. Classy.

Eliza and Robert each had an autograph book, and I think it made them feel special to get signatures from the various characters. They were so proud of their books and kept showing Marian and I that they had the actual signature from Rapunzel!

Eliza then decided that she had to find Jasmine or her life would be over. We found her and Aladdin and again, both kids were awestruck.

Aladdin and Jasmine were so nice. Eliza didn't want to leave Jasmine's side and decided she had to have a Jasmine costume immediately. I have found almost all of her costumes at garage sales, and I have yet to see a Jasmine outfit. She was pretty disappointed when we didn't produce the costume immediately. Maybe she would have been fine with just the clothes and no trip to Disney World?

After we tore her away from Jasmine's arms, we consoled her by letting her go on her very first ride: The Magic Carpet Ride. The kids could have gone on it 10 times in a row if we let them. They loved it!

We took the twins back to the hotel and left them with my mom so they could nap. I would really recommend not bringing small children (especially three small children: Ezra, Elliott, and Jacob) to Disney World. Jacob did a lot better than the twins, but Ezra and Elliott just wanted to sleep and hated sitting in their stroller. They loved running around the hotel for a few minutes before their nap, and it was obvious they really love their freedom and hated being strapped into a stroller all morning.

Nathan and I met Marian (who had the older kids) at Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boutique for Eliza's princess appointment. My mom spoke with a friend at her office who really recommended the boutique experience. Essentially, the little girls check in, meet their fairy godmother, and get a makeover. Doesn't that sound adorable? Well, it was.

When we walked in, their were at least 20 little girls in salon chairs getting their hair and nails done. After seeing several little girls dressed like Jasmine, Eliza was a little sad she was a fairy and not a Arabian princess, but she still had a really good time.

 Robert then had his pirate appointment, and we were left with the two cutest kids in the Magic Kingdom. Everyone thought they were twins, and people couldn't stop staring at the pirate and the pixie fairy. A couple of people asked to take their picture, and while Robert cooperated with a smile, Eliza remained pretty serious and wary of strangers.

We ended the day a little earlier than we wanted to because the kids were so exhausted. They immediately fell asleep on the bus, which is out of character for both of them. We really wore them out!

We had planned to go back to the park that night for the fireworks and light show, but the kids were just too exhausted to join us. Instead, Nathan, Marian, and I went back without kids and rode Space Mountain.

We're real mature, I know.

My sister and I would have gone on Space Mountain all night, but Nathan's stomach couldn't handle it. I guess we'll leave him at home next time :)