Disney Done and Dusted

April 23 & 24

Two busy days at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Jo and Tristram and the kids went on the 23rd while Philip and I had a lazy day. Jo can tell you about their day shortly.

The 24th was Joanne’s birthday so the kids were up early doing some decorating ready to surprise her, table decorations, presents, birthday cake and a nice breakfast. Then off for a swim, we are making the most of the pool before we head home to Tas and cold weather. Late morning we headed off for an early lunch at Red Lobster before heading to Disney’s Magic Kingdom for the afternoon and evening.

We arrived at the Magic Kingdom in time to have a ride on the Mad Hatters Tea Cups before finding a spot to watch the street parade, along with thousands of other people. Then it’s off for more rides, Speedway, Barnstormers, more Tea Cups, Space Mountain (twice), It’s a Small World, Thunder Mountain and finally Splash Mountain. Then it’s time to find a spot to watch the fireworks and light show over the magic castle (with, it seems like 50,000 other people also watching). Where did the day go. 8 hours and we have only touched the surface but we are all exhausted from a fun filled day. Made it back out to the car park and before we had left the park Hugh was sound asleep and never stirred as Tristram carried him inside and into bed. It’s been an awesome day and lots of memories have been made.

Hugh

We ended our cruise and then we had a big drive to our Resort. We had two days at Disney Worlds Magic Kingdom. We went on lots of rides, my favourite two were Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain. I also like the fireworks but I was very tired. I liked how the lights changed the castle. I bought a Mickey Mouse. Today we did lots of shopping. I got T shirts, shorts shoes and two police cars. We leave for home tomorrow morning. I really liked my holiday and going to Animal Kingdom and going on the Everest Expedition was the best ride.

Lillian

We finished the cruise and a couple of days at Disney World. We had 2 days at Disney World Magical Kingdom. Today we went shopping and brought a load of it. This holiday is one of the best holidays that I have had. I had a lot of fun on the cruise. The ride I liked was called It’s a Small World. It was slow but not fast. I had a blast on that ride. Last night we stayed to watch the fireworks and light show.

My highlights, the Sloths, the howling monkeys and spider monkeys, seeing Times Square and the M and M shop and seeing Frozen on Broadway.

Claire

My highlights, Costa Rica, Broadway, the snow in Lancaster (Amish), Splash Mountain and Expedition Everest.

We went to Disney World, I took ma on the tea cups and it nearly made her sick. I took pa on Space Mountain and he squealed loud, but I squealed louder. I took ma on splash mountain and she got wet but not as wet as mummy. The fireworks were pretty cool and thunder mountain was good with pa. We went shopping today and I bought lots of clothes and shoes and Pua the pig from the movie Moana. I don’t want to leave but we have to fly to LA tomorrow and Melbourne on Friday. It has been a very good holiday and the cruise ship was lots of fun.

Hugh

My highlights were snow, Disney World, Animal Kingdom and the cruise.

Jo here… one last time.

Two days at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. This is the Disney that I remember from being at Disney Land as a child. The kids were enthralled with the rides, people, noise and complete sensory overload. The kids were all keen to try many of the rides, with a special request from Lilly to do Splash Mountain, and from Hugh to do Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The first day we arrived early and took the monorail into the park entrance (even this was exciting for the kids and we hadn’t even got in the gates!). We were greeted with the iconic Disney castle as we walked in the gates and then made a beeline to our first ride – Tomorrowland Speedway. All the kids loved this opportunity to drive their own cars. Claire tells me she can quite safely get her car license now.

(T- if Claire gets her licence she is not allowed to drive in the same country as what I’m in for my safety)

Our day progressed nicely through the Mad Hatter Tea Cups, Disney Carousel and then a jungle cruise before we braved Splash Mountain. Lilly did an amazing job as she was sure she wanted to do Splash Mountain but after getting half way through she wasn’t so sure. By the time we hopped off she didnt like it much, something to do with the 55 foot drop at the end. She did tell me she liked the Zippidee Do Dah song they sing during the ride though. Adrenalin junkies Claire and Hugh thought it was enormous fun getting wet.

Day two was my birthday. I awoke to a beautiful breakfast and decorated table created by the children and Ma and Pa, complete with Disney princess cupcakes, Minnie Mouse ears and singing birthday cards. We followed this up with a swim and then our second trip to Disney World, this time with Ma and Pa in tow. the kids were so excited to take Ma on the Mad Hatter Tea Cup ride just so they could try and make ma sick…. they succeeded! Following that we wandered through the park taking in the sights and a wonderful Disney Fantasy Parade filled with Disney characters. Claire has been so excited about Space mountain and screamed the entire way around ‘this is awesome’ at the top of her lungs with her hands in the air. She then proceeded to inform Pa that he also needed to go on it and took him to line up for a turn. The afternoon was filled with great roller coasters, rides and getting extremely wet on splash mountain again. And was all completed with a fantastic light and fireworks show in the evening before we went home.

( P-I missed the Light and Firework and went back to the car for a rest, whilst seeing the enjoyment the kids (and big kid Mummy ) got from the rides was awesome, the noise, crowds of people and my lack of energy overtook my wishes to stay to the end of the day).

Claire sang along to nearly every song they played and Lilly was able to name nearly every movie they showed the characters for. What an awesome couple of days…. we were all exhausted!

Today we have spent the day having a late breakfast, early swim and then made our way to the Florida Mall for a spot of shopping. I decided that our bags were a little too empty and it was up to me to fill them up, the girls and Hugh happily contributed as well.

We have had an amazing trip… the trip of a lifetime. Packed full of experiences, sights, sounds, fun, multiple countries, cities and states. It’s been amazing.