Wordless Wednesday: Disney Transportation

Abigail's favorite Disney Transportation has got to be The Tomorrowland Speedway! It's very rare when we skip this attraction when visiting Magic Kingdom. 

Where's the driver? (04.29.11)

Eyes on the road! (10.14.11)

Our for a 3rd Birthday cruise. (12.19.11)

Are you ready for some whiplash, Papa? (03.02.12)

(05.29.12)

(08.09.12)

QUESTION:
-What is your favorite form of Disney Transportation, an attraction or real transportation?

Wordless Wednesday: Disney Dads

I want to give a shout out to the Disney Dads in Abigail's life. I've always said the love of Disney must be genetic. Abigail's love for all things Disney has spread to sharing our Disney Park experiences with all the wonderful "dads" in her life.

When Matt and I were first dating, many years ago, he told me he went to Disney when he was 6yo and didn't plan to return until he had kids that were 6. I decided I wanted to go for my 21st birthday, it was freezing cold that January but we had fun. Fast-forward and we took Abigail to Magic Kingdom for the first time in May 2010. Our love (mine and Abigail's) for Disney days has eventually rubbed off on Matt. He now loves visiting as much as we do!

Rainy Magic Kingdom Day, May 2012

My parents usually join us for our Disney days since they live in Florida. My dad, Abigail calls him "Nano", is always so willing to wait with us in line for all the character meet and greets.

Abigail has always loved meeting with characters, May 2010

My in-laws are here in Georgia like us, so a much longer drive and a much higher price for park tickets. Abigail worn down Matt's parents, Abigail calls them "Nana" and "Papa". They enjoyed visiting Disney with Abigail so much they upgraded their tickets to a 10 Day no expiration pass!

Donald's are #1, March 2012

Abigail's GodFather, Stephen, has also come to Disney with us. While the parks are easy to enjoy as adults, it's even more enjoyable to see it through the eyes of children. Stephen also joined Matt, Abigail and myself or The Royal Family 5K this past February.

Happy 3rd Birthday Abigail, December 2011

I hope Abigail's uncles (and aunts and cousins) will eventually join us for some Disney days too! It's always fun creating more Disney memories with family and friends!

Wordless Wednesday: Character Movie Stars!

We did not know Pocahontas & Meeko were going to surprise us with a meet & greet opportunity this morning at Camp Mickey-Minnie in Disney's Animal Kingdom! Abigail was very excited!

QUESTION:

-Who was the most impressive "movie star" you have met at a Disney Park?

Wordless Wednesday: The Disney Letter "K"

It took me forever to think of someone or something Disney related with the letter "K" other than "Kingdom".   Finally, I remembered the Kilimanjaro Safaris! Well, I had to go back and look it up because we usually just call it the Safari instead of by it's full name.

It wasn't until October 2010 until our very first visit to Animal Kingdom, so that was our first time also riding the Kilimanjaro Safaris. The big touring vehicles reminded me a bit of The Jungle Cruise boats on wheels, but it was more informational in comparison the the hilarity of The Jungle Cruise.

The African savanna reminded me and my parents of Busch Gardens, easy to compare since we are from Tampa. Abigail loved looking for all the animals (she wasn't yet 2yo on this visit).

Black Rhino

Our second visit to Animal Kingdom wasn't again until March 2012. Abigail still loves seeing all the different animals! Every time you experience the safari you will have the chance to see a variety of animals.

Crocodile

 

Crazy Ostrich running at our truck!

QUESTIONS:

-Have you experienced the Kilimanjaro Safaris for yourself?

-Do you have a favorite African animal?

Wordless Wednesday: Resorts & Relaxation

We don't often stay at the WDW Resorts. There's usually 5 of us, making one hotel room feel very small, so we stay off property at my aunt & uncle's timeshare or at a Holiday Inn Express (my parents use their points). Many of our Disney visits are day trips from Tampa. It makes sense to us because we get free parking with our annual passes and since we spend all day in the parks, we don't ever leave time to enjoy where we stay (i.e. pool time or on site restaurants).

This picture is from Pop Century, where we stayed for Abigail's 3rd Birthday! It was too cold to even think about enjoy time poolside but we really liked all the super-sized toys and decor throughout the resort.

QUESTION:

-Do you have a favorite WDW Resort? 

Wordless Wednesday: May Calendar Shot

This is Abigail the first time she visited Magic Kingdom in May 2010, she had turned 1yo the December before. One of my all time favorites!

QUESTION:
-Do you have a favorite picture from a special first visit to Magic Kingdom? Is it you or a child?

The Magic Kingdom

Abigail met Pinocchio upon entering the park. Nano and Daddy took Abigail to see if she'd be less scared without Mommy around. The 'high five' was a good ice breaker! We were interrupted while taking pictures in front of Cinderella's Castle because someone just had to know where she could buy a dress like Abigail's for her daughter! What a compliment! (Too bad it was specially ordered just for Abigail from her wonderful cousin Marisa.)

We walked through the Swiss Family Robinson house then went on the Jungle Cruise. Our 'tour guide' had all these SUPER cheesy jokes the foreigners didn't get, which made the jokes really funny. The fake animals on the Jungle Cruise did scare Abs a bit which made her want to snuggle safely in Daddy's arms. Abigail enjoyed some playground time while Matt, Nicholas and I rode Pirates of the Caribbean. Everyone enjoyed some time inside with A/C for the Country Bear Jamboree. Abigail liked the bears, all the singing and the talking deer mounted on the wall. I was anxious for Abs to experience It's a Small World and we probably should have rode it more than once. For being 'a small world' there's a lot to see and take in! especially for a 16mo old!

Abigail rode the Carousel with Nano. (This was the first of many carousel rides throughout our week in Florida.) She liked it so much she cried and fussed to Nano when the ride was over. She did not realize there were more fun rides to come! The line for Dumbo was super hot but Abigail had fun trying to figure out the control to make Dumbo go up and down. We took her on the Tea Cups, really not sure what reaction we would receive. She loved it and gave us a hearty giggle every time Daddy gave the cup a little spin. Then we rode The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and Abigail continuously, happily pointed out "POOH!". She also really liked with the car bounced with T-I-double G-ERRRRR.

I stood in line so Abigail could meet some Disney Princesses. As silly as it seems, the pictures will be super cute in Abigail's scrapbook and I know she'll like looking back at the pictures. Aurora, Sleeping Beauty, was not as friendly and personable. Abigail was very confused. Next Abigail met Cinderella who was so great complimenting Abigail and pointed out how they had matching earrings. Abigail wasn't as frightened by the princesses as she was other characters, but she still didn't completely get it. Belle was the last princess and her dress was very bright! The picture we have doesn't show Abigail giving Belle a high five or waving good-bye, I guess she eventually accepted the strangeness. Abigail took a nice little nap while Matt, Nick and I rode Space Mountain then we returned to Toon Town to check out Minnie Mouse's House. Abigail loved the big chairs and was not happy when we asked her to get out of them.

My friend Celia joined us in the evening. She actually has been working for Disney since 2007. Celia joined us for a second ride on the Mad Tea Cups and Abigail enjoyed it just as much as the first time!

Abigail and I had joined my parents in Orlando last October for the Dragon Boat Race. While we did not visit any parks, we did have fun in all the Downtown Disney shops. Check out how our little peanut has changed over the last 7 months, she's still a peanut compared to the size of Mickey & Minnie.

We were at the park for a grand total of 12 hours. I'm already itching to go back. It was such a fun day!