Monday, May 16, 2011

Tuesday at Epcot and Wednesday at the pool

The first thing we did when we got to Epcot was walk straight to Soarin. Elli was so excited to ride it again. Such a good ride.
After "Talk with Crush" Elli wanted a picture in the shark playland. She actually had to wait in line to get in there:)
Elli grew two inches from Oct to May so we were able to do a couple more rides. The wait was not long for Test Track, so we rode it. It was a blast!!!! Elli laughed and squealed the whole time. We rode it twice because it was so great. We were also able to ride Mission Space. Not so fun, but she was tall enough so we tried it.
More princesses. I don't think she has seen the movie of Mulan, but she likes her anyway:)
Snow White is a favorite.
We were there during the flower festival. It was beautiful!
Not sure who Marie is, but Elli wanted her picture with the white cat:) She also got her picture with Tigger and Pooh. She was afraid when they walked out but Tigger grabbed her hands and started bouncing and dancing. Elli wasn't afraid anymore. Such fun meeting new characters. She is not as nervous now.
Elli loves Mary Poppins.
So fun to meet the beast this time. She even gave him a hug even after telling me she was not going to talk to him. She started out only talking to Belle, then gave the beast a hug:)
Chip picked Elli up and spun her. She thought that was so cool!
We were sad Aladdin wasn't there. Elli was told he was chasing Abu in the marketplace. Jasmine is one of her favorite princesses along with Ariel, whom we didn't get to see.
What is a trip to Epcot without a picture in front of the ball?
Brent was ired, so we found a spot for him to sit and wait for fireworks to start while Elli and I went to meet the last few characters. Mickey again.
She was so happy to see Pluto. She even brought her stuffed Pluto purchased on our last trip here:)
Minnie again.
Donald. She even kissed him.
And the last character we mat was Goofy. He was being quite hilarious!
We stayed for the fireworks show at Epcot as well. It was another very fun and very long day, but we made more great memories!
Love this picture of the two of them playing:) We checked out at 11:00 and headed to the pool where we stayed until 6:00 pm. Long, but fun day of swimming.
Posing, again.
She lost her other characters on our last plane trip so she used some of her allowance to buy these princesses. She needed to rest a little after playing at the pool for 4 hours. She enjoyed this kind of rest time.

Monday, May 9th Magic Kingdom

We walked in and went straight to the line to meet Rapunzel. Elli posed then she and Brent left to enjoy the park for the next 2 1/2 hours while I waited in line. Everyone she met wanted her to twirl. She mostly obliged! Her shirt has Rapunzel's name on it at the bottom and she wanted it to show when she met Rapunzel. So cute. (And her hair was braided, like Rapunzel's)
Elli met Peter Pan and thought it was pretty cool! She also rode A Small World while I was in line. She said I would love it and wanted to take me on it later in the day. We managed to get back there and ride it. The whole time, Elli was saying, "See mommy, I told you you would love it." Just for that, I did!
Finally close to Rapunzel. They had the kids color a picture, dance, and pose with Pascal. Such fun while we waited.
Elli twirled and so did Rapunzel. They really spent time with each child. I loved this visit.
Elli was wondering if that was her real hair or a wig. She asked a helper who then asked Elli what she thought. Elli still isn't sure:)
I was just as excited as Elli. One of my former students will be Flynn Rider over the summer. We missed him by one week.
Last time we were here, the tea cups were closed. This time, we enjoyed them twice. I love Elli's face here!
She had a blast and I managed not to get too sick:)
Couldn't wait to get this huge popsickle. She ate the whole thing.
We watched a show in front of the castle. Another new thing this time around. Elli loved it, so did we. It was also a perfect place for a family picture.
We watched the parade where Elli waved to her favorite characters.
The moved Mickey and Minnie from Toon Town, which is being redone, to the theater. We were happy to see both of them in the same spot with only one short line!
Of course we had to also wait in line for the princesses. Not too long of a wait. Aurora.
Belle was also there as well as Cinderella. Elli loves Belle in her yellow dress.
The second time on the tea cups, we took daddy!
Posing in front of the castle.
The parade was a little different this time around. Still great, just a couple new floats.
They did a really cool laser show on the castle in between the parade and fireworks. The castle changed looks, and they showed pictures of people from the day as well as pictures from Disney movies. The whole crowd "oohed and awwwed," throughout. Then of course, we love the fireworks. Tinker Bell was a highlight again, but the fireworks were amazing!
Not long after the fireworks, maybe 5 minutes, this is what we found:) She didn't even wake up when we picked her up to put her on the train! What a great day:)

Sunday, May 8th, Grand Floridian for dinner with Cinderella

She was so excited when we pulled up and she saw this carriage. She asked if it was the one Cinderella used. Apparently her carriage is kept at the stable with the horses that pull it. At least that is what Elli was told!
This nice man was stationed out front by the carriage. Elli wanted a picture with him. He said, "I would be honored." Elli got embarrassed.
Posing in front of the castle backdrop before dinner. I like this picture.
Lady Tremain told Elli not to smile. Didn't work:)
My favorite line of the night is when this sister said to a little girl at the other table, "What happened to your teeth?" The girl said she lost them then she replied, "That wasn't very responsible of you!"
These sisters were hilarious:)
Prince Charming gave Elli a spin and a kiss on her hand, then posed for a picture. I asked Elli if she was going to tell Cinderella about that and she got embarrassed. A second favorite quote is when Prince Charming said to Cinderella as he was leaving this room, "Bye, bye my little pumpkin pie!" I so wish I could be a character.
Cinderella!
They brought a cupcake and an ice cream sundae for Elli's birthday!
A kind passerby took this picture for us.
Elli found these pretty flowers, put them in her hair, then posed for a picture. She was having a great time here at the Grand Floridian. It was absolutely beautiful. Maybe one day we could stay here. One day when we get suddenly wealthy that is:)

Florida Vacation Day 1 and 2, May 6, 7

Swimming in the pirate pool. I say pirate pool because there is a big pirate ship in it with slides and sprays and cannons:)
She needed a little snack:)
Brent and Elli racing down the slides on the pirate ship.
This is the big slide. Love how cute she looks on this thing.
Not as cute, but just as fun:)
Our first two days, Sat and most of Sun, were spent just like this. We played ALL day, getting to the pool at about 9:30 in the mornings. Elli loves this. I think her vacation would have been just as fulfilling if we hadn't done anything but this! However, we did love going to Disney World.