The Magical World Of Disney!

(please notice the $15 princess balloon and the Sleeping Beauty Doll from Tyler- thank you Uncle T)

I can honestly say that I was as excited to go to Disney World as Miss A. It was truly magical to see it through the eyes of a my 4 year old. She was the perfect age to get to experience it. Disney really does know what they are doing with the ambiance from the minute you fly into the airport til the minute you leave the resort- you feel pampered and caught up in the spirit. Oh sure there were meltdowns (mainly Chris and Ken) but overall it was an absolutely wonderful vacation that I will always treasure.

The last time I had been to Disney World I was 13 and Tyler was 8. I loved it but I was a cynical teenager and didn't show my parents enough appreciation for how wonderful a trip it was. During this trip I was constantly texting my parents to talk about how wonderful it is for Ash and how much I appreciate all they did to take me there.

For Chris, taking Ash to Disney World was very special as he practically grew up in Florida and went to Disney all the time so he remembered a great deal more than me and was excited to show her his favorites.

Nana and Papa had been talking about taking Miss A to Disney World since before she could walk and we loved that they were there as well as they love the joy of watching her face and experiencing all the fun with their granddaughter. We owe a huge thank you to them as the trip was muy expensivo and we couldn't have done it without them! Thank goodness I also had a work conference where I was presenting in conjunction with the trip and was able to help with expenses a little through that!

Below are 1 million pictures of the fun! (terribly out of order as usual)

These are fake lions on the jungle safari ride - it was kind of funny to see as we had seen real lions the day before at Animal Kingdom - I remember thinking as a child that I wish the animals were real

It was September in Florida and it was HOT! Ash is holding the $18 spray fan that we all fought over. Papa is the stroller guide

Nana and Ash on the Dumbo Ride

Every chance I had, I captured more pics of the castle. Every time Ash watches a Disney Movie and the opening has the castle - she says "I really went there"

Binoculars to go on an "Adventure"

These are pics from the Nemo show - oh my it was Broadway play fabulous. This has been Miss A's favorite movie since she was 6 months old (yes we let her watch movies then)

Her pin says" 1st Visit - can you see just a touch of excitement?

Princess Minnie? Thanks Francine and Bart for the Fabulously Appropriate dress

On the way to the Cinderella dinner but supporting the Tech Red Raiders as they were playing at the same time

Typhoon Lagoon Water Park (Chris' & Ken's favorite of all the parks for the water and beer)

This picture may not look like anything but this is a picture of Maleficent at the Castle. Maleficent is the "bad lady" in Sleeping Beauty and Ash is absolutely obsessed with her. Thinks she is evil at it's finest and she was horrified to see Maleficent being mean to Mickey and Minnie in a show in front of Cinderella's castle. She was screaming at her and it was quite funny - Maleficent then disappeared in a cloud of smoke and Ash wanted nothing to do with the castle.

She loved loved loved all the Princesses but Sleeping Beauty Aurora is her be all end all favorite

Belle (obviously former Pageant girl - look at that beautiful smile)

Toontown leading to the princesses!

Prince Charming on a parade float - quite a lover

Alice in Wonderland & Peter Pan - is there a relationship there?

Lovely Snow White

Woody & Jessie (Ash is going to be her for Halloween now) - Toy Story

One thing I just loved is that there were parades and shows all day throughout the streets

Ariel Little Mermaid

Tea Cups

Ahhhh the hotel pools - very relaxing after a long day on my feet and with crowds

Our resort had a lake that I let Ash play in until I was told they had captured a huge alligator there recently - lovely

I spent as much time as possible in this position on my hammock. It was Divine!

Sand Angels

Ash was feeling very brave and went on the water slide at our hotel by herself and with her crazy momma!

Safari Mickey

Pluto was the 1st character Ash would touch or wave at - she was quite frightened of the masks at first

Creative Giraffe Float

Baloo

Safari Minnie travels with her bathtub

Wearing Nana's poncho - Nana did not want to get wet on the rides!

Quite a beautiful veil

Ash would describe this picture as the Mountain where Papa got hurt. Papa was feeling rather spry and brave and rode Mt Everest with Chris. His back did not appreciate this and he experienced pain for many days afterwords

Riding the raft rides - Ash's ultimate favorite

Tree of Life - very cool carvings

Always love the giraffes

Wicked Stepsister

Evil Stepmother - she never left character - this woman was mean

Prince Charming and his lovely ladies

2nd Evil Stepsister but she was sweet to the under 5 crowd

$40 princess buffet - pizza and mac and cheese - Disney really understands how to make a buck

Cinderella was quite a beauty

Rainforest Cafe

Waiting to meet Cinderella - Ash said "I think the prince might leave Cinderella for me"

Our hotel on day we arrived

Airplane ride

Tubing like a big girl

Electrical Parade

The castle would light up all different colors throughout the night - so cool and the last night it was all halloween themed with scary music

Tuckered out after meeting the princesses - wears a girl out

Waving at her favorites in the parade

Can't wait to go again!