Disney Part 1

24 hours of driving, just about 24 hours TOTAL sleep after three nights and WAY too many smiles to count.  That could be one way to sum up our trip to Disney but you wouldn't even touch the magic that we experienced.  Hence "Part 1" in the title.

Some people say that Disney is only commercialization, but we can agree to disagree.  It wasn't about the things to buy (which we hardly bought a thing) it was about the Magic.  That's with a capital "M" for sure.  There were more than a few times where I was teary eyed from the excitement beaming from the kids (and adults) faces at any point on this trip.

So before the amazing photos and recount of the days....first, let's give some credit.  To my folks.  This was their idea and gift that allowed this to come together the way it did.  I don't think I can thank them enough.  For us, it was our best family vacation to date and I seriously can't wait to do it again!

So let's get started, shall we?

Arriving at the house in Reunion.

Arriving on Wednesday, Kristen and I sat down that evening to plan out our day at the park.  We had been switching between which park to do and then just realizing we really, really wanted to start off at Magic Kingdom and crowds be damned.  So we sat down, reviewing site after site and getting REALLY stressed out.  This is when we received "the call".  I might refer to this call as the "call that totally made our vacation".  Who was on the other end of that call?  None other than who will soon to be referred to as the DBA.  That would be "Disney Bad-Ass".  My sister's best friend married a pretty cool guy whose business does one thing: GET YOU AROUND DISNEY WITH NO LINES.  What you ask?  This exists?  Oh heck yes it does.  Basically he says to us..."go to sleep, you have a long day with me and it is going to rock.  Just meet me before the toll booth at 6:45am."  Jason says jump and we say YES SIR.

7 am, freezy-freezy but yet totally sums up our happiness!

First group picture and could we have picked a better spot?  I think not.  We weren't prepared for the cold or the wind but I am pretty sure NO ONE complained.  How did we get in at 7am?  Trade secret...HIRE Jason.  :)  He led us through the park like the DBA he was and we quickly and yet leisurely rode (not in the exact order) Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Dumbo, visits with Minnie/Daisy/Goofy/Donald, Barnstormer, Ariel's grotto, It's a Small World, Haunted Mansion, Arial Orbitor, Carousel of Progress/Space Mountain (rotated), Arial Orbiter, Buzz Lightyear, Big Thunder Mountain (x2) and meeting Mickey Mouse...pretty much all before lunch.  And the crowds were listed as a 8.2/10.  It was glorious.

We were like kids skipping through the park, giggling on rides, squeezing our babies tight and beaming with joy.

Meeting Minnie!

Riding buzz light year and taking care of the bad guys!

Best. Photo. Ever.

Probably one of my top two photos of the day (above and below).  Pure Happiness and joy!

After a full day, happy kids, full bellies, and pulled facial muscles from all the laughing....our DBA walks up to us with a handfull of Fastpasses for Mickey Mouse.  The BIG GUY!  We still aren't sure how and when he got these for us but we were, again, amazed!  They usher us to the back area where we are led into a small backroom.  Seriously, we were actually all a little nervous...like really meeting a celebrity.  Who am I kidding, he is a celebrity!!  Anna and Graham could hardly contain their excitement.  It was a pretty awesome way to end our morning (oh and the fastpasses for the Princesses from 6-7pm that that DBA hid until we were walking out).

We quickly took the kids home for naps...well, all of us took naps!  We were exhausted.  Pulled out of deep slumbers, we rallied the troops and head to dinner then back to the park.  We had Princesses to see!!  After some sweet talking from John to get us in the fastpass line after we missed our window, we were priveledged to meet Cinderella, Aurora and Rapunzel!

Anna's first glimpse of Cinderella.  Priceless.

I don't like to push the whole "princess" thing but I love the imagination, the fun and the adventure that does come along with those stories.

From Princesses to Parades!  The Electrical Light Parade was AWESOME!  The kids were mesmerized  either from the characters, lights, floats or sheer exhaustion.  There are about a million more pictures to choose but I tried to pick ones I didn't put on facebook.

And this was only Day 1.  Stay tuned.