Magic Kingdom - Part I

This morning we got up and Wesley, Eli, Katie, and I headed to the Magic Kingdom.

We rode the ferry boat across.

Eli sat in Walt Disney's lap.  I think Minnie Mouse was telling jokes.

The BEST piece of advice we got before coming to Disney was from out pediatrician (we LOVE her!).  It was to get our pictures made with the characters at Epcot.  You stand in line inside (hello, A/C!) and we waited maybe 25 minutes and just moved down the line and got most of the characters there.  The lines to meet with the characters at Magic Kingdom were outrageous.

Today was definitely the most crowded things have been.  We only did the rides and attractions we could do with Eli; we never waited very long, but the crowds definitely bottlenecked a lot at the popular spots in the park.

We cooled off with the 4D show of Mickey's PhilharMagic.  It was really very good!  Eli slept through it, but Wesley, Katie, and I enjoyed it a lot!

Next was the Hall of Presidents.  It brought back memories of our trip to D.C. last summer!

After that we rode the carousel.  Eli LOVED it!  He was mesmerized by the horses going up and down. He had so much fun!

 He stared at the pole and ceiling every time the horse went up!

We intended to ride Dumbo, but Eli is sooo squirmy and Dumbo is pretty high.  We were a little concerned he wouldn't sit still, so we passed up on that ride.  But, we did ride it's A Small World.  Eli really loved that ride too.  There was so much to look at.  It definitely kept him occupied.

Finally, we did the Monsters Inc. laugh floor.  It was very cute!

After doing a little souveineer shopping, we headed back to the room around 2:30 to eat lunch and take naps.  Tonight the park is open late, so Wesley, Katie, and I are headed back to ride things that we couldn't ride with Eli (he's hanging with Ginny & Pops tonight).  It was such a good day.  I really enjoyed seeing Eli experience so many new things.  He also learned how to wave bye-bye today.  It's so funny.  He cracks himself up every time!  : )

Breakfast with the Characters

This morning we got up and headed to Disney's Polynesian Resort to eat breakfast with the characters at the Ohana Restaurant.

When you arrived, everyone was given a lei.  Eli had his around his head.  He hated it!

Ohana means family, so they call everyone "cousin" - "Cousin Rebecca", "Cousin Wesley", "Cousin Eli", etc.

We enjoyed mickey shaped waffles!  : )

And a whole bunch of other foods!

Several characters joined us for breakfast.  Pluto was first.

I love this.  Eli was trying so hard to get away.  haha!

He was not a fan of Stitch,

but looooved Lilo! 

Finally, Mickey came by!

This go around with Mickey went much better than when we met him at Epcot!

Eli even learned to drink from a straw at breakfast.  He was soaking wet, but he did it!

After breakfast we headed to Clearwater and St. Pete, Florida, to see Aunt Katie's house, school, church, beaches, etc.  It was very pretty and neat to explore the Tampa area.  When we got back we enjoyed some Chicago style pizza for dinner and then came back to the room to get our swimsuits on and float in the lazy river until the lightning ran us out!

The Blue Man Group

After our naps from our long morning at Animal Kingdom,  we left Eli to play with Ginny and Pops and Wesley, Katie, and I got dressed a little nicer than what we have been and headed back to City Walk at Universal Studios to see the Blue Man Group!

If you ever get the opporutnity to see this show, you should definitely go!  It was so good!  I was expecting mostly music and paint, but it was a lot of comedy and theatrics too.

Waiting on the show to start.

There was no photography permitted during the show, but I snapped this picture of the stage before it started.

I can't even explain all of the stuff they did, I wouldn't do the show and performers justice, but it was REALLY good; definitely a highlight of the trip!

Animal Kingdom

(Warning, picture overload.  Probably 50+)

This morning we got up and headed to the Animal Kingdom!  This was the one Disney park I had not been to yet and I was excited to go!

The huge tree walking in.  It's not real, but the intricate details sure are breathtaking.  Pictures with a better view are coming later.

 When we entered, we made our way back to Africa to take the safari ride.  I was really looking forward to this.  Even Eli went.  Most of the animals we've seen before at zoos, but it's crazy to see them in their "natural" habits.  It's *wild* (pun intended) to think that there's really nothing preventing these animals from coming right up to you.  Some of them got pretty close to the safari tour bus.

Hippos

(I was asking Wesley what fact we learned about these animals while on our safari ride.  All he could remember was that they can pee up to 15 feet.  haha!  I was thinking about how these animals only come out of the water in the evening when it isn't as hot....) 

Crocodiles

Giraffe

We learned that their spot pattern is unique per animal, just like finger prints are for humans.

These flamingos are white due to their diet and all of the keratin they consume in the shrimp they eat!

King of the Jungle was being a bit lazy this morning.

After our safari ride we took a train ride to Rafaki's Planet Watch.

While there we met, got autographs, and took pictures with Jiminey Cricket, Rafiki, and Pocahontas.

We then headed to the petting zoo.  Eli petted a goat!

This face says it all!

Eli also petted a wild boar.  He wasn't so sure about him.  Don't worry, Aunt Katie and I washed Eli's hands VERY well when we left!

The Tree of Life is 145 feet tall and 50 feet wide.  It has over 300 animals carved into it's bark.

Next, we headed to Asia.

We saw a huge  komodo dragon!

We also saw several, very large bats.

The tigers were also on the prowl.

 The peacock was beautiful!

We were going to ride Mt. Everest, but by the time we got over there it was a 65 minute wait and we were all hot, tired, and HUNGRY, so we took it back to the room for lunch and naps!