We started the day by riding The Great Movie ride. Actually we started the day by waiting in line for Donald Duck, got about halfway to him when Cooper decided he didn't want to see Donald, he wanted to see Minnie (again). So we switched lines only to discover she was about to go on break. Mmmm-hmmm. So, we nixed the standing in line for characters until later in the day.
I will be totally honest. I was sort of "pictured" out by this day. I have lots of pictures. But, I wasn't in to it. Here we go...
Blowing bubbles on the patio before we left for the day.
I have so many pictures with Cooper's hand/arm right in front of his face or making some weird gesture. I guess it's the age???
Minnie... I took a picture of her waiting on a different child, since mine couldn't get to her.
We rode the movie ride and then went to see a production of The Little Mermaid. I got to see that one, as Carter slept through it. Then Cooper and the rest went to another show, the Disney Junior one to see Jake and the Neverland Pirates, and Carter and I hung back and went to grab fastpasses for another ride and got a picture with Handy Manny while we were waiting on the rest.
I was so glad he wasn't afraid of the characters. That would have been a bummer.
When Cooper got out of the show I had found where Mickey Mouse hung out, and I couldn't wait to get him back there! We hadn't seen Mickey at all. At any of the parks. You would think he would be easy to find...
He had his autograph book ready for all the characters he met. What a fun way to look back. He would hand me the book before getting his picture taken and then when we were done he would run to me and say "Let me see mom! I want to see their autograph!!" So precious.
So, we finally saw Mickey. And he was great. And Cooper will be sure to tell you it wasn't just any Mickey, it was the MAGIC Mickey. I was so happy we got this picture finally.
Lotso was in the same building. Yes, we were inside, air-conditioned space to stand in while waiting for these shots. AWESOME. I think Coop was a little anxious to get this picture. He was kind of a bad guy in the movie. But, he was brave and did it.
As we were walking out, there is a gift shop (of course) and Cooper found this picture of Goofy dressed up like a Star Wars character... had to have a picture of that. Doesn't he look excited?!?
Then we found Chip and Dale, two more off the list of characters he wanted to find.
I took this as we were leaving for lunch and our naps for the day. We are headed towards the exit/entrance. I was worn out already. And didn't feel like we had done much other than stand in line for characters.
Magic Mickey, again. More neat shrubbery.
After we came back for the afternoon we found the Muppet's show and the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground. This part of the park is all movie sets. It looks like that street goes on forever, but it is just a picture.
Pretty neat.
Honey I Shrunk the Kids.
About this time we went on the Toy Story ride. It is like an arcade game. It was fun. It was also the ride I had gotten a fastpass for earlier in the day. I was glad I did, because they ran out of them. And the wait in line would have taken over an hour. Crazy.
Then we saw Beauty and the Beast. We were hot, the baby was getting grumpy and Cooper wasn't trying very hard to keep the crazy reigned in. I was starting to lose my patience. But, I kept thinking, "It's the last Disney day - I have to tough it out. I can do this!"
So, we headed towards dinner and had a little bit to wait. We had a reservation, thankfully. That really helped us. So we sat around for a little while and I could just see Cooper morphing into the wild child that he is a heart. I love that boy. But, he can push all my buttons. Carter was also feeling like he had had enough. I felt the meltdown coming before I saw it.
When we got in to eat, and sat at our table Cooper really turned it up a notch and was a complete loon with the waitress. We tried to explain that she doesn't have time to deal with all the silliness from a little boy. Didn't work. Carter was trying to climb out of his highchair and into my lap. And really, I just wasn't feeling it. I was hot and tired and just wanted to eat before we went and found a spot for fireworks for the evening. (As that was, again, on the agenda.)
I am not proud of my grouch-fest during dinner, but I am keeping it real, and just telling you all, I was not fun to be around during that meal. I was short of patience and short of sanity at that point. Every little everything was like finger nails down a chalkboard for me. Towards the end, I looked at Cory and said "I can't do fireworks. I need a drink." He grinned and agreed whole-heartily. (That I needed one, not him. He is so cool and calm when I am not. Thank goodness!) So we ran the idea past the in-laws and called it a day. I think they were thankful too.
I didn't even get a picture of the place we ate. It was cute, 50s/60s kinda place that looked like mom's kitchen table. Our waitress was "Aunt so-and-so" and she made us set the table and keep our elbows off, etc. I think she could feel my grouch-vibe though, and wasn't too hard on us! :)
Leaving at dusk.
I felt like Mickey was waving goodbye to us. I was sad. But, also so thankful. We had done it! ALL 4 PARKS. With two small kids. No small feat, I assure you.
I still feel like there was so much we didn't get to experience at this one park. Every other place I felt good as we were leaving for the day. That we had done our best. Experienced most everything. Hollywood Studios needed more time, and I just didn't have it to give.
We had a really nice evening once we got back to the condo. We could see the fireworks at Epcot once again, and we could all just put our feet up and relax for awhile. There had been so little down time. It was really what I needed and everyone else seemed to enjoy it too.
Our last day was going to be at Seaworld!
Love & Laughter,
abby
