Disney World!

We went to Disney World with the high school band. We were able to take Charlie and Russell because mom and dad tagged along to help babysit. A fun time was had by all! I only wish we could've stayed longer, and spent more time together as a family. We kept the trip a secret from Charlie and Russell who didn't know where we were going until we drove through the "Magic Kingdom" park sign in Florida.

We bought a bunch of groceries on Amazon and had them shipped to our room. We ordered fresh fruit, bread and milk from InstaCart or something similar and it was delivered to our room for us!

Timeline:
Thursday - Travel and time at hotel (swimming)
Friday - Water park (Typhoon Lagoon) and Downtown Disney (Dinner at Rainforest Cafe)
Saturday - Parade and Magic Kingdom. Meeting Mickey!!
Sunday - Epcot
Monday - Hollywood Studios (for the band. On this day, I left Hollywood Studios and met up with the rest of the family at Magic Kingdom)
Tuesday - Animal Kingdom and travel home


 

Our flight was EARLY. Like, 7am early. 

On the bus! 

Hanging out at the airport

Breakfast on the plane

Charlie will probably remember swimming at the hotel as the time he "almost drowned". Chad was in the pool with Charlie and Russell. Chad was playing with Russell. Charlie wandered out into deeper water and got scared when he couldn't touch the bottom. The lifeguard had to jump in and grab him. He was scared but fine.

For future reference: They do have complimentary towels and life jackets at the hotel pool. (We stayed at Pop Century.) They also have a microwave in the main dining hall, but not available for rooms. We did get a fridge though!

Hiding in the plethora of hotel pillows

They were so excited that they got to share a bed. 

Day 2 - Friday April 13th - Typhoon Lagoon and Downtown Disney. Typhoon Lagoon has a great kiddie area. Highly recommend!

Typhoon Lagoon! 

I was unimpressed with the "HUGE DONUTS". 

Pictures in Downtown Disney. We ate dinner at Rainforest Cafe. It was loud, and Russell was afraid of the rainstorm!

Coconut Shrimp

Mom and Dad and Chad took Charlie and Russell in the candy shop. Goofy made this special treat for them and had one of his helpers bring it down from the factory.

Day 3 - Saturday April 14th. Magic Kingdom!!! Chad took Charlie and Russell on a bunch of rides while I arrived backstage with the band for the morning parade. It was so hot and humid! By 10:30am we were so glad to be out of uniforms.

The boys also got to take pictures at the Art of Animation hotel which is right across the bridge from Pop Century. They have lots of cool things there.

That night we got to meet Mickey at the Town Square Theater. This is the only place to meet Mickey where he talks and interacts with the kids.

We stayed out late and saw the fireworks.

Russell did not want to meet Minnie. 

Pro Tip: If you grab a spot right up near the castle, and sit and stake it out for 45 minutes, they will come and tell you about 15 minutes before the fireworks show that you are in a "standing room only" section. They will tell everyone to stand up and squish forward and "fill in all available spaces." No thank you. We watched from just inside the main gate. But there was a group of really obnoxious high school kids behind us (not mine!) who climbed into the landscaping to take pictures, and generally pushed and shoved us and stood right in front of Charlie and Russell. Pretty sure one of them stole our fan/spray bottle. Before or after I asked them to behave is unclear.

Day 4 - Sunday April 15 - Epcot. Lots of Rain. I must've arrived at Epcot with the school, before Chad and the boys got there. I remember watching some video in "France" by myself. But actually sleeping.

Expensive macaroons in France. 

Refillable popcorn bucket outside outside "The Land". 

I don't remember what we were waiting for, but we just took a seat on the carpet and ate some chips. 

We ate at the cantina around the backside of Epcot. After we stood in line at the restaurant, then made online reservations, then canceled online reservations. 

Evening fireworks show in Epcot. The band has a catered dinner on a "private" veranda. This year it rained all day, so we ate inside at another facility, and then went back out to watch the fireworks show. Mom and Dad stayed with the boys at the hotel.

Day 5 - Monday April 16. Hollywood Studios and back to Magic Kingdom! 

Day 6 - Tuesday April 17th. Animal Kingdom and Travel Home! 

Chad and Charlie rode Everest. Charlie decided he did not like it. I went on kiddie rides with Russell in DinoLand and then the boys played in the playground for a good long time. 

Going home! 

Goodbye Disney! Until next time!!