We’ve been back from Walt Disney World for a month now, and I still can’t believe it happened!  It was one of those trips where I was glad to get home by the end, but not all that anxious to actually get back in the swing of things.  Last week I continued to eat like I was on vacation, we only managed to get one workout done, and I could really only muster tasks that required sitting down.

Stevie, on the other hand; he doesn’t take breaks, as you know.  He was raring to get back to school and swim and play group without so much as skipping a beat.  So he still kept me plenty busy, even if I couldn’t manage to do much for myself.

But now that we’re mostly rested up and unpacked and house cleaned, I can tell you all about our trip!  Buckle in for a longer post and stay tuned for a cute video at the end.

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D A Y    O N E
Travel from LAX —> MCO

It was an early morning, with the Super Shuttle coming to get us at 6:45am.  Luckily, the packing had been going on for 3 whole days (VERY unlike me) so we were able to get on the road without any delays.  I obviously spilled coffee on my white shirt in all the excitement but that really comes as no surprise to anyone.  After the usual traffic and already with the are-we-there-yets, we arrived at our Delta gate… with just enough time for bloody marys and breakfast.

The flight was long.

I mean, it was a standard 5-hour flight in all the ways, except one.  You guessed it, we had a Stevie with us.  I can’t tell you how long we played cars or how many snacks he ended up eating or how many times I glanced in Paul’s direction with a look of SAVE ME.  But of course we survived.  And it could’ve been a lot worse!  Maybe being mentally prepared to be harassed the entire flight made it impossible to spoil my mood.

When we arrived in Orlando, we found our bags and our Magical Express bus, and boarded for what would be another long trip.  There were several stops along the way and it gave us a tiny taste of how insanely huge Walt Disney World property is.  We were the last passengers aboard when they finally dropped us in front of the Yacht Club Resort.

H O T E L

Ooooh, doesn’t Yacht Club sounds so fancy?!  Well, guess what?  IT IS.  We stayed at one of the deluxe resorts on Disney Property and were really only able to do that because we had such a great deal from Key To The World, the travel agency I was working with.  Of course we absolutely loved it!  Aside from the sand on the floors from the amazing beach/pool/lazy river, it was quite nice.  What’s a vacation without a little sand anyway?  The rooms had small balconies overlooking the waterfront with the boardwalk just across the way.  And more importantly, it was within walking distance to Epcot.  It worked well for us, seeing as we ended up going there 3 times during our 5-day stay.

Upon our arrival, Stevie found a place on the bed to park cars, I unpacked like we were moving in, and Paul Amazon Primed some beer and water straight to the room, so we were covered with the basics.  We had dinner in the hotel at the Ale + Compass, which is where the first threats of going home began.  I honestly can’t even remember what Stevie did at the restaurant to make us both so upset, but 2 hours into our trip, and we were so done.  I guess I was still hopeful that a good night’s sleep would turn things around, so after some yummy shared dishes, we headed out for an early bedtime.

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D A Y    T W O
Magic Kingdom

I knew it would be a rough morning with breakfast reservations at Be Our Guest for 9 am. It doesn’t sound that early, but Californians, eh.  We were fairly late, but they let us in anyway, and we were so impressed with the ambiance and decorations!  It was a beautiful dining hall.  I’ve heard the food can be hit or miss (mine was a miss) but I barely even noticed with all the fancy chandeliers and dining in a castle and whatnot.

And onto the rides!  Stevie’s first choice was Prince Charming Carousel, and then we moved on to using our FastPasses.  Unfortunately, Stevie didn’t enjoy most of the rides.  He was nervous about the dark and therefore, hesitant to go on pretty much everything.

In fact, when I broke the big exciting news that we were GOING TO WALT DISNEY WORLD, without even looking up from his cars, he said “I not going on rides”.  And I said (under my breath) “like hell you’re not”.   What?  Oh nothing, we’ll figure it out!

He did like the Speedway (hello) and the Royal Friendship Faire show on the steps of the castle.  As the characters came out singing and dancing, he kept yelling “HI!!” and it was the cutest thing when Elsa sang Let It Go and he sang along.  You also realize how next level Disney is when they shoot off fireworks in the middle of the day, just because they can.  Yes please and thank you.

The rest of our day was a mix of fun and frustrating (but leaning more to the frustrating side).  We were glad when the hot sun finally went down, as we tried to squeeze in a few last minute rides before the park closed.

SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN

9:30 am – Breakfast at Be Our Guest
11 am – Prince Charming Regal Carousel
11:30 am – Pirates of the Caribbean (FP+)
12:00 pm – Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (FP+)
1 pm – Royal Friendship Faire
1:30 pm – Speedway
2 pm – People Mover
2:30 – pm Lunch at Tomorrowland Terrace
3 pm – Barnstormer (FP+)
3:30 – pm Dumbo
4 pm – Steam Train Railroad + break at the hotel
9 pm – Speedway (again)
9:30 pm – Winnie the Pooh
10 pm – The Little Mermaid

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D A Y    T H R E E
Epcot

Staying at the Yacht Club was perfect for access to Epcot since it’s within walking distance and took the hassle out of catching a bus.  We got another early start to use our first FastPass and then I had a quick photo shoot before moving on.  Paul and Stevie made a beeline for the Food + Wine Festival, since we had skipped breakfast, and when I was done working, I made a beeline to meet them at the mimosa bar.  Breakfast of champions!

We proceeded to eat our way around the world, and while I had heard this was a fun thing to do, I pictured it so differently in my mind.  It’s a big circle! With a lake (lagoon?) in the middle!  And food representation and cast members from different countries!  Literally eating around the world. With the Festival, we were able to sample many bites and drinks; I had the best time.  We had decided to get Stevie a stroller by this point and his whining was much easier to ignore when he was down there getting pushed around like a prince.

By late afternoon, we were sweaty, exhausted, and had racked up quite a food bill on our magic bands.  So we tried to cool off on the monorail, but it only made us more tired.  A quick stop back at the hotel was just what we needed to gear up for fireworks later that evening.

And please just don’t get me started on Disney fireworks.  They make me cry 90% of the time.  And this was extra special because a friend had reserved amazing seats for us!  I could hardly contain myself.  Loved the show so much, it almost made the nightmare of getting out of the park after worthwhile.

SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN

9 am – Spaceship Earth (FP+)
10:30 am – Work
12 pm – Meet Pluto
1 pm – Frozen Ever After (FP+)
3 pm – Monorail
5 pm – Ale + Compass Lounge + break in the room
9 pm – Club 33 reserve seating for Happily Ever After fireworks show

You can just assume that any gaps in time were spent stuffing our faces.  Here are all the things we got to try!

Food + Wine Festival Center
Simmering Sips Mimosa Bar: Key Lime Mimosa and Blood Orange Mimosa with almond croissant and cheese danish

Near Disney Traders
Islands of the Caribbean: Ropa Vieja Empanada

Showcase Plaza
Greece: Spanakopita
Thailand: Red Hot Spicy Thai Curry Beef with steamed rice, Singha Lager
Mexico: Short Rib Tostada, Cerveza Por Favor
India: Warm Indian Bread with pickled garlic and mango salsa, Madras Red Curry, Godfather Lager
Italy: Villa Sandi Prosecco
Japan: Teriyaki Chicken Bun, Kirin Ichiban Lager
Morocco: Chocolate Baklava, Mimosa Royale
France: Creme Brulee, Sparkling Kir

I can’t believe we ate all of that in just a few hours.  Hahaha!  It was the greatest.

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D A Y   F O U R
Animal Kingdom

We knew we didn’t want to have another morning where we skipped breakfast, so we took our time getting out the door and walking around the hotel to see what they had to offer.  We made it to our neighboring Beach Club Resort and walked in to to find Cape May Cafe.  I spotted Minnie Mouse through the window, and based on how excited Stevie was to meet Pluto the day before, I knew this would be a hit.  Lucky for us, it was only a 20 minute wait too.  So we were seated, eating a breakfast buffet, and hugging characters in no time.  All of Stevie’s favorite things.  It was really cute, and one of the highlights for me to see his face light up.

Shortly after that, we hopped on a bus destined for Animal Kingdom.  I honestly don’t remember much about that day other than how cool Africa looked when we walked in and how much hotter it was than the previous days.  We were feeling pretty uncomfortable and kinda pooped in general.  After a few attractions, I had plans to take a quick break at the hotel and then head back to the parks for a couple more hours.  But when Paul suggested we just head back for a swim and call it a day?  I thought, ya know what?  Yes.  That sounds pretty damn good.  And that’s exactly what we did.

After some cocktails and swimming, we hopped another bus to Disney Springs to join some friends for dinner.  It was nice to have that break and then get to see familiar faces.  Of course Stevie was happy just chatting it up and eating Chinese food.

SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN

10 am – Character breakfast at Cape May Cafe
11:30 am – Kilimanjaro Safaris (FP+)
12:30 pm – Flight of Passage (FP+) but it broke down on us!
1:30 pm – Meet Mickey and Minnie
3 pm – Pool break at the hotel
9 pm – Dinner at Morimoto Asia

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D A Y   F I V E
Magic Kingdom

This was the morning that all of our FastPasses were scheduled for Hollywood Studios. But with our friends in town the same time as us, we were anxious to see them, and they had plans to be at Magic Kingdom.  So after a quick bite from the Market at our hotel, I snooped around the Disney App and changed a few of our FastPasses so we could be together.

We got on some rides and dragged ourselves around the park.  A late afternoon rain storm felt equal parts good and annoying.  Because the rain cooled us off immensely, but then we were just wet and steamy hot after that.  Things don’t dry so quick in Florida.  We stopped to watch the Royal Friendship Faire one more time and danced with the marching band before we headed back to the hotel.

I had a little bit of work to do and then I met Paul and Stevie back at Epcot for more food/drinks and were pleasantly surprised to catch the IllumiNations Earth show.  What a treat!

SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN

10 am – Haunted Mansion
11 am – Space Mountain + People Mover
12 pm – Seven Dwarves Mine Train
1 pm – Lunch at Harbor House
2:30 pm – Aladdin’s Magic Carpet Ride
3:30 pm – Teacups
4 pm – Speedway
7:30 pm – Work
9:30 pm – Epcot IllumiNations

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D A Y   S I X
Hollywood Studios —> Epcot —> Travel Home

Our last day!  It was supposed to be an easy, casual day with breakfast at ‘Ohana and then slowly making our way to the airport.  But at this point in the trip, Stevie had finally started having fun.  He had gotten his nerve to go on some of the faster rides and he wasn’t complaining (as much).  So we decided to make the most of it and just see any last minute things as we could.

We first took the water taxi straight to Hollywood Studios specifically to see Toy Story Land.  And we really only saw Toy Story Land.  We didn’t even stop to look around as we hauled ass straight to the Slinky Dog Coaster, which Stevie loved and wanted to do TWICE.  Such a fun surprise for all of us.

Then, because we’re completely crazy, we also hauled ass back to Epcot for a couple last rides and actually cut it REALLY close to missing our bus to the airport.  We were discussing a back up plan as we panted and hustled back.  But we made it.  And that last day was so full of fun and adventure, that we started thinking maybe we could do Disneyland a little more often?  But still, my logical side tells me: It was a fun few hours, let’s not get crazy.  

Schedule Breakdown

11 am – Slinky Dog Dash Coaster
11:30 am – Alien Swirling Saucers
12 pm – Slinky Dog Dash Coaster
12:30 pm – Lunch at Woody’s Lunch Box (Mobile Order)
1:30 pm – Water Taxi to Epcot
2 pm – Test Track
2:30 pm – Soarin’
4 pm – Magical Express to MCO

PHEW!!

The flight home was about a million times easier than the flight there, and we arrived home late and tired and wanting to dance in the cool ocean air.

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O V E R V I E W

Looking back on the trip, I don’t think there’s much that we could have or would have done differently, besides leaving Stevie at home (KIDDING).  Because while it was challenging and tiring, it was really the trip of a lifetime.  It was a place I’ve always wanted to go, and Magic Kingdom was something I’d dreamed about seeing, but I just didn’t know how we would make it happen.

I’m really grateful for the Key to the World Travel Agency for making it happen.  I’m appreciative of the sweet cast members who took time to give Stevie extra attention and answer his questions. And I’m especially glad to have a partner who was game for this crazy adventure.  We equal parts laughed and commiserated our way through Walt Disney World.  We only got a little annoyed with each other, and always reeled it back in when we realize we make a much better team fighting the real battle of parenthood together.

Thanks for reading about out little adventure, and please let me know if you have any questions!  And if you’re not much of a reader, there’s always the videos.

DAYS ONE + TWO
DAY THREE
DAY FOUR
DAYS FIVE + SIX

loves,
jaana