Disney Magic - Part 4

On Wednesday of our trip we decided to take a mid-week "break" of sorts. In the morning we did Chef Mickey's (right at our hotel) for a character breakfast (I think it was the best). Then Grady went off on a pirate cruise while the rest of us hung out by our pool. Anson really enjoyed the pool time and Grady LOVED his special pirate cruise!

Grady at the entrance



Here we are (minus Nana and Papa) with the Chef Mickey statue




Goofy!



Cupcake time (of course)!





Nana and G with the Big Mouse



A nice group picture



Donald was awesome, even when Anson threatened him with a fork









Nana and I brought Grady over to the marina at the Grand Floridian for his cruise

He got a bandana, a tattoo, and a pirate life vest





boarding the ship



All the kids, excited to go!



On our way back we saw them building the gingerbread house in our lobby - it smelled amazing!



We came back and all went to our pool and splash area





Anson loved this slide





Anson had a twin at the pool



Nana went to pick Grady up and got a few fun pictures





They went around to a bunch of different resorts and looked for hidden treasure. Then they got to split it up and keep some!

They came back to the pool and Grady got to enjoy the big slide - he loved it!



So did Papa



That afternoon, after resting and saying goodbye to Nana and Papa :( we headed back for a half day at the Magic Kingdom.



Our timing was amazing - we walked in as the parade was about to begin and somehow found a perfect open spot right on Main Street!



I love their parades - this one was fabulous and included so many great characters!













The rest of our timing was also great - we headed right over to the Magic Carpets, a very busy ride, but got on with no wait because the parade was still going on (we were right at the beginning of the route)





At the Tiki Room





After a repeat visit to Pirates of the Caribbean (for Grady) we went over to Tom Sawyer's Island, which both kids loved. They are like "Old Timey" kids - the playgrounds are always their favorites!



Grady tries to lead Ans over the shakey bridge



but he needs Dada



blurry but cute



We had dinner in Frontierland and ended a great day with ice cream!

Disney Magic - Part 3

On our third full day at Disney we went to Animal Kingdom. It was everyone's first time at that park, and it is a beautiful place! We were there early for a character breakfast at Tusker House. It was a great place! The boys in front of the "Tree of Life"

Donald was greeting everyone outside the restaurant

Anson was not really a fan of this place, for some reason, but he did REALLY enjoy the "jungle juice"




Mickey!



Daisy!




Then we did this cool walking trail that led us through the forest and past all sorts of animals



Watching them feed a huge frog




gorilla - so close!



cool lady that looked like a tree - can you see her?



We did an amazing safari where you ride through on a Jeep, but I did not have my camera. Here are a few pictures from Nana



After the safari we headed to Dinoland



Triceratop Spin



The Dino Dig playground was a HUGE hit with both boys - we could have stayed for hours!



Anson, making a friend



I am pretty sure Grady thought he was the head excavator



We went to this very cool 3D movie that also had smell-effects and other cool surprises. It was based on "A Bug's Life". And look who was outside the movie - Flik!

Looking so cute!



The parade was really fun, and Grady actually got some shout-outs for his birthday from people in the parade!



Anson really enjoyed the parades



Then we had to go back for one last visit to the Dino Dig



We had dinner reservations at a fun and yummy place called Yak and Yeti. Look who is greeting customers!



The whole group, except Mama



Grady was so excited to get another birthday surprise!




Now for a few videos... This man made up a birthday song for Grady on the spot, based on just a few questions he asked - it was so cool!








A shot clip of Grady enjoying the Lion King live show

The parade!