WDW Dream Vacation

Months ago, Grandma Shari came to me with a plan to sneak the kids to Disney World over UEA weekend as an early Christmas surprise.  For months we plotted and schemed and convinced Allen to help make it happen.  A few weeks ago, we broke the news and let the excited anticipation begin.  There was lots of reading and talking and shopping and watching of youtube videos.  Finally, last Wednesday, the trip began.

We flew direct to Orlando, rented a car and drove out to our condo to get settled in, Allen followed later that evening after his classes were done.

Our first full day, we spent at Hollywood Studios, which was packed, but lots of fun.

We especially loved the Toy Story ride despite the 100 minute wait and meeting Sorcerer Mickey after the Magic of Disney Animation show.

Friday, we embarked on the Magic Kingdom -- we took the ferryboats over the seven seas lagoon. The kids enjoyed playing with sidewalk chalk while we were waiting for our boat.

We focused on Frontierland, Adventureland, and parts of Tomorrowland. Again, big crowds (which we weren't expecting in October), but lots of fun. Splash and Big Thunder Mountains were especially fun.


We skipped the evening entertainment and came home to relax at the condo.


Saturday, we had a great time at Animal Kingdom. I think it might have been our favorite park.


We were also so lucky to spend the evening with some of our favorite people in the world, our friends from Cambridge, the Tappens who live in Orlando now.


Sunday we spent at Epcot. The highlight of the day (besides Soarin') was our princess lunch at the Norway castle.


We had a couple of hours after checking out of the hotel before we had to catch our flight, so we went back to the Magic Kingdom and explored Fantasyland, Toontown, Tomorrowland and had a great lunch at Tony's on Main Street before heading back to the airport.


We had such a fun time.  Thanks so much Grandma for making it happen.  The girls will remember this trip forever.