November 10-18, 2023 -- Orlando, FL
Written By: Scott Ptolemy
Photos By: Scott Ptolemy
Reflecting back on our time at Disney, it is hard to even know where to begin. To be honest I (Scott), was only mildly excited to be making the trek into world that is Disney. Having visited Disneyland in California many times, I thought I knew what to expect. For me, trips to Disneyland had always felt like a marathon full of long, hot days with far too many people. Don't get me wrong, all of those things are still present at Disney, but I failed to remember the magic that exists within the park. I did not take into account this would be the first time that I would be entering this world with my kids and seeing it all through their eyes.
Let me preface this by saying we were incredibly lucky to be able to spend 4 days within the parks. Wendy's family has had a tradition of the grandparents taking their grandkids to Disney World when they are 4 or 5 years old. Nana and Papa were very gracious to continue this tradition and we all began planning this trip last year when they were living in Wenatchee. Throughout the week it was fun to hear of the previous trips Wendy and her siblings had taken with her grandparents when they were growing up.
Over the course of 7 days we visited Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom twice. When looking back on these amazing days its the snippets of Magic that I hope to remember for years to come.
Magic Kingdom:
- Caroline dancing to the iconic (and earworm) song "Its A Small World"
- Parker's face of concentration trying to take in every moment of the Peter Pan's Flight
- Parker getting to drive the #13 red race car (our family lucky number and his favorite color) at the Tomorrowland Speedway
- Happening upon the filming of ABC's The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration
- Caroline and Wendy acting in Enchanted Tales with Belle (they made very cute magic mirrors)
- Caroline absolutely loving the Dumbo ride and was beyond thrilled when she got off to proudly tell us all that she rode her first "roller coaster!" (This was her most ridden ride of the week at 4 times!)
- Parker playing pirates all over Tom Sawyer's Island
Animal Kingdom
- Caroline getting to see a real elephant and giraffe at Kilimanjaro Safaris
- Pandora coming alive when it got dark
- The moment the visor raised and our banshees took off on Avatar Flight of Passage
- Wendy getting absolutely soaked from a downpour while alone with both kids while Nana, Papa, and Scott waited in an completely covered and dry line for the Avatar ride (and the rain coats were all safe and dry with them too), but the kids still enjoyed playing in the pouring rain in the dinosaur park (Wendy just had to add that one :) )
- Watching Caroline dance along with Donald Duck to the African Christmas song during the Tusker House character lunch (this was the moment Caroline fell head over hells for Donald Duck)
- Seeing the amazing detail and production of the live 30 minute Lion King show
Epcot
- Seeing Parker's and Caroline's absolute pure joy in meeting Elsa and Anna. This was the favorite moment of the whole trip for Parker, and he took it to complete heart when Elsa told him that he would make a good ice harvester (thanks, Elsa)
- Laughing along side with Parker and Caroline as we were able to "control" the water in Moana's water walk
- Watching the fascination on Parker and Caroline's faces as they watched the sharks, fish, manatees and other sea creatures in the giant aquariums.
- Parker laughing whole heartedly to the funny actions that Chip, Dale, Mickey, and Pluto did during our character lunch with them
We have plans to return to Florida and Disney next winter. We have begun stashing away our pennies (lets be honest, its going to take more than pennies), for our next trips into the parks.