Walt Disney World....
WOW is really all I can say. It had been 7 years since we had been on vacation; much too long. 2009 started out very rough for our family and it was time for some relaxation and enjoyment so after some long debates we finally announced to the kids we were going to Disney World!
They were very surprised and excited (possibly not as much as mom was to tell them) and we began planning right away. We purchase the Birnbaum's Guide to Walt Disney World and read part of it each night and everyone was to make a list with 5 things they absolutely had to see or do in Disney.
My plan was if everyone got to do their 5 things then no one would leave disappointed and all the extra things were a bonus for everyone.
On the top of every one's list was the Tower of Terror (well not Kirk's list, but since Riley was going Kirk had to also). As we waiting in line I kept telling Kirk I didn't think this was a good idea (for him or Riley to go on) and he kept saying it's fine. Well it was not quite fine...on this ride (which is based on a very good Disney movie we highly recommend) you are seated in an elevator car made for 20 which travels up and the doors open and you see some ghosts and then you go up a little further and the doors open and the car pulls out and travels in the dark until you reach another set of doors and when they open you see right outside high above Disney's Hollywood Studios park and then suddenly the car drops in the dark, then it goes back up and drops again and then one more time. The entire time everyone was screaming; some of us because we loved it; others not so much...Riley was clinging to Kirk screaming and Kirk had himself pressed up against the wall trying to brace himself screaming louder than anyone else in the car. It was wonderful!!! Zack, Hayley, Connor & Myself loved it so much we went on again and then 3 more times in a row the next day!
Also on most of our lists was Expedition Everest which is a Roller Coaster in Animal Kingdom. It takes you up a mountain where you are greeted by the Yeti and it then takes you backwards in the dark. Definatly worth the wait in line, but the next time we went on we got stuck going up the first hill and had to be unloaded from the car and walked all the way around and up and down the ride to the exit in 96° heat....not too much fun but when we came back a few days later we did go on 2 times in a row with no problems.
Character Meals were near the top of every one's list. We had breakfast at Chef Mickey's and Ohana with Lilo and Stitch and Dinner at Crystal Palace with Winnie the Pooh...all big hits with everyone. I love that we don't have to wait in line to see the characters!
Every one's absolute favorite meal was at the 50's Prime Time Cafe. The setting is an old fashioned kitchen were everyone was polite and followed set dining rules such as not elbows on the table, to hats, no fighting. Our waiter Uncle George reviewed the rules as soon as we were seated only to have Hayley say something mean to Zack...Uncle George was quick to grab the back of her chair and push her over to the corner and he then told everyone in the room to put of their finger and say "shame shame shame" Hayley was mortified but we were all hysterical!
While we were waiting for our meal Connor was playing with Kirk's Blackberry and Uncle George came along and put a View Master down on the table and in his very dry monotone voice said "play with this; there's no walkie talkies at the table"! My meal came with green beans that I didn't care for and didn't eat. After clearing the table Uncle George came back with a plate full of my green beans covered in whip cream and sprinkles and said "thought this would help you finish your veggies" What a wonderful time we had there. I think Uncle George was the best waiter we have ever had and one of if not the best dining experience ever!
I really could go on and on with stories from the week. We stayed for 7 nights and 8 days and had the most wonderful and very deserving good time. It was nice to see the kids smile again and the week really helped Connor (who has been having the hardest time with everything) We all came home refreshed and talking about when we can go back. Something Kirk did not want to hear. I think he would like to vacation somewhere else when we go again in 7 years but we'll see!!!
