We've been friends since junior high. When in high school, we'd go to Disneyland and swear we'd never bring young kids there. We'd see these dirty, tired moms pushing strollers or holding toddlers in mid-tantrum and shake our heads at each other. Not for us. Wait until they're old enough to be taken out in public. That's the way to go.
Amy and I had an overdue but very welcome Skype date in mid-February, in which I begged her to fly out here and take the kids to Disney World with us. Despite our earlier conversations about Disney and toddlers, she agreed.
It really was a good time to go. Since Buddy Boy gave up naps, and consequently the ability to behave from 4 p.m. until bedtime every night, the days have been long. To be honest, the lines start to blur between a busy day at home and a busy day on an outing. They're both exhausting. They're both long. We're at the point where we might as well go somewhere.
We tried for a bon voyage picture with the kids and their new Disney toys. Now that we've lived in Florida for a year, we do as Floridians do. As big fans of all things Disney, they go often but buy as little food and merchandise there as possible. Instead, they go to Sam's Club and buy $200 worth of groceries to take to the resort with them, and then to Walmart for Disney clothes and toys.
It was a pretty good plan. The Minnies were a hit.
Devon loves his Dumbo, but was only in the mood to pose for a picture with the Froggy Potty. Okay...
On our first day, we checked into The Cabins at Fort Wilderness. Amy was already at the cabin and surprisingly lucid considering she flew redeye from Sacramento to LA and then cross country to meet us. We spent a lazy afternoon catching up at the pool...
...and a crowded evening at Downtown Disney. It was the only time we were able to coax the girls into wearing their Minnie ears.
The low point of the trip according to Devon was having to ride in a stroller again. He usually doesn't anymore, but we didn't think he was ready to brave the crowds and stay with us.
Monday we spent the day at Magic Kingdom. The train was a favorite, of course...
...and, of course, the Dumbo ride!
By two o'clock we were getting pretty hot and tired. It was the perfect time for a change of pace. We had taken another piece of Floridian advice: the more high-end restaurants at Disney are totally worth it, providing a nice break and a good meal in the middle of the day.
We chose the Crystal Palace, where the kids could meet the Winnie the Pooh characters. Carrie was skeptical.
Devon was excited at his first meet and greet.
Carrie was not.
Of course, all three kids are big buffet fans. I'm still amazed that Disney allows kids under three to eat for free. My kids put away as much as we did.
Devon LOVED Pooh Bear.
Carrie did not. Going over these pictures, it occurs to me that poor Melina didn't get any pictures at
the dinner. I just double checked. Not a one. Sheesh! Mom of the Year!
Devon got a special birthday cupcake, since he was turning three at the end of the month.
Aha! There's a picture of Melina! I swear we didn't leave her at home! We got a lot of attention on the buses. One good thing about this age is that any motor transportation qualifies as a really exciting ride.
This is my favorite shot of Epcot, our Day 2. Amy snapped the picture because the Monorail went by and Devon's expression was just too priceless. We were not staged and therefore look tired. We probably were.
Staged version.
Staged version with Amy. That pretty much wraps it up for pictures that day. It is one hardship to life as we know it. Who holds the camera? Even my iPhone stayed in my pocket all day.
Wednesday we went to Animal Kingdom.
We enjoyed the parades and the lines were not bad.
All three kids were pretty tired by then, but still it was a really good day. Amy came back to Vero Beach for two fun rest days, and then back to California. I still can't believe we not only survived a four-day Disney vacation with three kids under three years old, but thoroughly enjoyed it.
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