Florida Vacation, Part 2

Disney World!!!

We had been planning a trip to Disney World pretty much since our last trip out to Florida. Ethan was at the point where we could enjoy the experience with him as well as for ourselves, and he could still get in free. Friday afternoon, we headed up to Orlando. The plan was to spend the afternoon/evening in Downtown Disney, stay the night in a hotel and then spend the next day being crazy in the Magic Kingdom.
The drive turned out much longer then expected due to a rainstorm and a sports car that has a tendency to hydro plane, but we made it (with help of a stop for gas and ice cream).

And Ethan was the first one to see the first Mickey Mouse, we couldn't see it until a van in front of us moved, but this is excited Mickey Mouse face

There he is!!

The hotel we stayed in was great, it had a store (duh it's Disney) and a kid's play area, I think Ethan would have been happy never leaving this area

But we wrenched him away and walked over to...

Where we stopped for dinner at the Rainforest Cafe

Which turned out to be a bad idea, Ethan freaked out every time the thunder storm would go off. He was pleading to go home to "New Mama's" house. So, I ate fast and took him outside.

Where we rode the Merry-Go-Round, a new favorite

After everybody else finished dinner we explored the rest of Downtown, which by that time was incredibly crowded

Lego robot

After doing some shopping we were ready to head back to the hotel for the night, but towards the entrance there was a big circle with a DJ playing music and doing dance moves that everyone followed (ie the sprinkler, and thriller). Ethan and I went out to the dance floor and danced and danced and danced. The video from a previous post happened when the DJ cleared the dance floor to have a cheer leading dance off. I guess there was a cheer leading competition somewhere in Disney and two of the squads were at Downtown Disney that night. The DJ would play a song and the girls were to dance and then the crowd would vote for their favorite. Well, Ethan just jumped up there and danced along with them. I know too cute.

The next morning it took him awile to get out of bed

And we decided to do a character breakfast at the hotel we were staying at. The characters that came around were Goofy and Pluto. Ethan did not want Goofy to come to our table at all.

But he was ok with Pluto

So, for a2 year old going to the Magic Kingdom what can be better then starting out your day on a tram through the parking lot and then a ride on the monorail!!!! It's pretty much all we talk about.

Thankfully, my husband was a genius and bought the tickets at the hotel that morning, so we were able to bypass the 2 hr line and go right in!!

Ahh, breathtaking!

A few minutes after walking in the gate, there was a parade!

After the parade we headed out to explore and take in some rides while we waited for the rest of the fam to get their tickets. He enjoyed the people mover train, until it went through Space Mountain and we heard the people screaming, then he wanted to get off. (Did I mention it was cold enough for winter jackets?)
After everyone was together again, and we all ate some lunch we decided to find the train the circles the Magic Kingdom. A BIG hit with Ethan

Fast forward a little ways (more excitement filled the space and we are now approaching way past nap time) I took Ethan on Dumbo. The line was very long so while I waited, Michael took him on the Merry-Go-Round twice.

He loved it! The man came over the intercom and reminded everyone to keep their arms and legs inside so he would put his hands between his knees and say "in". He wanted to stay as high as the ride would go the whole time.
After Dumbo, Grandma took him back to the Merry-Go-Round, he really enjoys waving to the crowd.
A little while later we went over to It's a Small World (don't ask me why, does anyone really enjoy that ride?) and E passed out while waiting in line, slept through the whole ride and then for about a half an hour after
Madi also thought this would be a good time for a snooze
After nap time and snack time we went to the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, which Ethan enjoyed until we were at the top and then it was time to go.

About this time, the rest of the adults had passes for Space Mountain and we wanted to ride the Toy Story ride. Ethan was noticeably tired and getting a little cranky so we busted out the treats (bribery).

and took in a play

Toy Story was great! I whooped their (Daddy and Ethan) butts score wise, Ethan only freaked a little and now he talks all about shooting orange robots.
We stopped for some dinner before the fireworks display, where Ethan stole my pizza while I entertained Madi
From his look can you tell he was not a fan of the fireworks? No, he did not like it at all and we had to leave.

But overall, it was a long, fun day. I know this post does not do it nearly enough justice, but if you want more you'll just have to ask. We have a lot of new memories, a few souvenirs, and in a few years we'll do it all over again. I know that a lot of people think its crazy to take a 2 year old to Disney, but if you enjoy the magic of it yourself it was really great. For about twenty minutes on the drive home we heard all the stories from Ethan's perspective before he fell asleep, dreaming about the Magic Kingdom.