Disney 2017- Pirates & Pals Fireworks

We headed to the Contemporary for our Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage. This was such a fun “extra” and I anticipate we’ll do it at least one more time when Tucker gets a little older and can remember it, too. 

We were welcomed by two silly pirates for a pirate party in a private banquet room at the Contemporary for lots of Mickey & pirate themed snacks, songs and games. There was also a freezer stocked with an unlimited supply of Mickey ice cream bars and popsicles. Captain Hook and Smee made their grand entrance and then party guests were invited to take pictures with them. There were around 50 of us in the group, and about 20 kids, so everyone got lots of interaction with them, and Hook played a lot with Tucker.

Our host pirates lined everyone up and with all the kids in front leading the way and we made a parade down the hall and through the courtyard and all the way down to the boat dock where we bid farewell to Hook & Smee and set sail for the middle of the lake where we’d watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks over the water.

On the boat, our host had us all introduce ourselves and then played some trivia games. All the kids got treasure from the treasure chest and when the fireworks started, the music and talking was piped in over the boat’s loud speaker. It was fantastic. When the fireworks were over we headed back to the boat dock, where we were greeted by Peter Pan! Because the weather was so chilly, we were escorted to a section of the hotel lobby for pictures with him. It was such a fun night and definitely a “worth-it” Disney extra to us! 

~amw~

Disney 2017–Day 1

We always try to do Disney in January. The weather is always nice and the crowds are typically pretty good, too. When we bought our tickets in November, we did a 4-day ticket and planned to make 3 trips out of it. We used one day in November, planned this overnight 2-day trip for January, and then we’re planning to go back for a day trip to Magic Kingdom sometime this Spring. We talked Grammy into doing a 4-day ticket, too. Our parents have always been awesome about helping us with our kids, but we never felt like we really NEEDED it until we were outnumbered by little people…especially at Disney…it’s so nice to have an adult set of eyes and hands for each kid. ;)

We left early Saturday morning and headed for Animal Kingdom. This was the first time at that park for all three of the kids. I wasn’t sure how much there would be to do there for our aged kids, but I kept reading that there was a lot to do and it is in fact some people’s favorite of the four parks.

The temps dropped that weekend and it was FREEZING. We’ve never been at Disney when it was so cold. It was hard to know how to dress the kids. I found some cute black and white flannel shirts on clearance the week before and ironed on a vinyl mickey mouse head with the girls’ monogram in it. Tucker’s was a grey hoodie with the same thing. They wore them over some Disney t-shirts. We layered both days and it was so cold, we barely took off their jackets.

Since we’re not very experienced with Animal Kingdom, we didn’t know our way around the park or how to plan our day. I read some blogs online though, and our first stop of the day was to get in line to see Adventure Outpost Mickey & Minnie.

After we saw our pals, we jumped in a short line to meet Russell from Up. Tucker would have no part of that. He was totally freaked out by Russell and wouldn’t get near him. He’s never done that, even when he was younger with any of other characters, so something about Russell just creeped him out. Ha.

The littles wanted some rides, so we made our way over to DinoLand and rode the Dinosaurs. Mamie & Tucker weren’t tall enough for the Primeval Whirl, so while DW took AB on that, Mom & I took the littles on the Triceratop Spin again.

It was time for our fastpass on Expedition Everest. This was all of our first time riding this one. It had just opened last time DW & I were at Animal Kingdom when Coopie was one and we made a trip with my family to Disney to take Jackson and Cooper.

Mames was just tall enough but insisted she wanted to ride.

Her face after was hilarious. I looked over my shoulder one time and really thought she was going to throw up. I wasn’t sure how she’d be when we got off, but she declared it SO MUCH FUN and wanted to know if we could do it again.

Tucker & Grammy met back up with us and we got some lunch.

After lunch, we hit DinoLand again for our Dinosaur fastpasses. Grammy & Tucker played in the dino-dig area while we rode with the girls.

We also got to see some pals, and that was a highlight for Tuck.

I wasn’t sure about “Its a Bug’s Life” – I read it was scary for some little kids, but we decided to try it. It ended up being one of Tucker’s favorite things we did that day.

We walked around and saw some animals

and then it was time for our Safari ride.

After the safari we decided to call it a day and head to our hotel. We had some big plans for later that night and we wanted the kids to get a nap and everyone to be well rested.

We stayed at the Art of Animation this time. The girls have been wanting to stay in the Little Mermaid rooms and I thought we better do that soon, while we can still get away with it with Tucker. Ha.

When DW went to check us in, the clerk told him they’d overbooked the Little Mermaid rooms and they were going to upgrade us to a family suite in the Cars area of the resort. It turned out to be fantastic. The set up was great and worked out so much better for us and the Cars rooms are at the front of the resort, so it wasn’t a lot of long walking once we wanted to leave/go back to the room.

Tucker & DW got a good nap, but the girls were too excited to sleep. Mom & I took them and walked around to see the fun statues and pools around the resort.

That evening we grabbed dinner in the food court area before heading out for our big plans!

~amw~

January Randoms…

- The kids got the “Pop the Pig” game for Christmas and it’s been a hit. They can all play it together and they love it when DW & I join in.

- Mamie and Tucker are such BFF’s. He has missed her so much this year since she started school. Mames got to pick out of the treasure box at school last week and chose something to give Tucker instead of something for herself. She said, “I saw that dinosaur puzzle and I knew Tucker would LOVE it!” So sweet. Of all the things I hope my kids turn out to be, kind, thoughtful and selfless tops the list.

- There’s been LOTS of work and earth-moving going on around our house since Christmas. It’s dig, load, dump, and repeat on most days.

- The girls love playing Salon. They always want to do my hair and massage my feet. It’s seriously fun having girls!

- Know what else is seriously fun? Having boys. Oh my heart.

- Report cards came out! Straight A’s for AB & All purple and green so far this year for Mamie! To celebrate, the girls chose Red Robin, like usual.

- Real men aren’t ashamed to drive their sister’s pink cars. I think it’s time for his own 12 volt.

- The girls were “Similar and delicious” for the vocabulary parade at school.

- DW and I also participated in Literacy Week at school by reading in the girls’ classrooms. I read in Mamie’s room and then we checked her out early to take her to lunch. She was so excited. DW read in AB’s room and It think the kids always get excited when a dad or granddad come to school.

- We love us some Chick-fil-A. Tucker loves the cow, too!

~amw~

Gator Basketball….Fantastic!

We took the herd to a Gator Basketball game last weekend.

A highlight is always the bus ride over to the O’Dome. 

Pappy got new seats and they’re all together, which makes all of us going much easier.

DW has been promising to take all of the kids to a game because he, Uncle Adam & Pappy have been catching quite a few of them lately, and the kids ask every time their Daddy goes if they can go, too.

The kids had a great time and I was super impressed with how they really watched and got into the game. AB & Mamie love to yell and cheer and Tucker loves to give high-fives, so I don’t know I was so surprised with how well they’d do.

It ended up being a really good game, too. It was back and forth and the Gators came out on top in the end. Which always makes for a happy ending. ;)

~amw~