One of the syndromes you return with after a Disney trip is the inability to stop singing Disney tunes. We're on day three since the parks and we haven't escaped the songs in our heads! I served dinner tonight singing "Be Our Guest"...and even threw in a few dance moves! :)
Overall our trip was great! I have to be honest, there were times during meltdowns when we felt like we made a big mistake going to Disney. James is going through one of his tantrum phases right now. So, he was on ThreatCon (AKA SnapCon) Delta quite a bit early on. The first day was actually his worst day. So, he set the bar for our expectations right off the bat and we actually had a great time the remaining days. In addition to the occasional toddler meltdown, we experienced some weather meltdowns. Luckily though, it was mostly cloudy on most days. Only one day was full sun. We had a few fast-passing thunderstorms, but were lucky to be inside during those. So, all-in-all, we were quite lucky!
So, here are the highlights. I asked each person in the family what they liked/didn't like.
Jack's favorite rides were Buzz Lightyear in Magic Kingdom and Test Track in Epcot. His least favorite was Tower of Terror (even though it was his 4th time in the last 2.5 years to ride it). As he and Jason exited the ride, he said he'd wait to ride that again when he's 10. Then by the time they got to the area James and I were waiting for them, he said he would wait until he was 20. A few minutes later he changed his mind again and said really he'd wait until he was 50 until the rides it again. Bless his heart. I think he understood the "storyline" more this time and that scared him more than the actual thrill portion of the ride. Some surprising aspects of this trip was the realization that Jack has outgrown some of the younger stuff at WDW. He used to love the Disney's Playhouse show in Disney Hollywood Studios...but this time rolled his eyes at the experience mostly. I'm still trying to grasp the idea that Jack is growing up whether I like it or not!
James' favorite ride was the Brainstormer Roller Coaster in Magic Kingdom...his first roller coaster. He was most frightened by the Kali Rapids in Animal Kingdom...we got DRENCHED even with ponchos on. However, he proudly showed everyone in the park his stamp he got for riding it! Other highlights for James were the transportation rides we took during our stay. The bus, train, monorail, and boat rides were right up his alley. He got a kick out of the simple things like squirting Daddy with the spray bottle. And pressing the button on the elevator. You know, the kind of things you can do for free! :) Some of his cutest moments were when he'd ride each ride absolutely expressionless (because I think he was just trying to be aware incase something jumped out at him), and as we exited each ride or show, with the biggest smile on his face and his fists clenched and thrown to the air, he'd shout, "I DID IT!" Even something as mundane as the Carousel of Progress in Magic Kingdom. It cracked us up! James also got his spotlight moment at the American Idol show in Disney Hollywood Studios. When we were in the theater, the announcer was preparing the audience for the show. He had all the men in the audience shout, then all of the women....then he asked all of the kids to scream real loud! James was a bit late starting his scream and the rest of the kids' screams were dying down just as James was revving up! The announcer took notice to his high pitch squeal and singled James out to "do THAT again!" So, James welcomed the eyes of 1000 audience members and showed off his vocal abilities. The whole audience laughed and James, of course, got a kick out of such attention. The announcer welcomed him to do it again...and James took full advantage and did it again! Problem is, when the announcer was ready to get back to the show, James wasn't ready to stop 'HIS' own show! He got a couple of more shrills in before quieting down. But, that's not nearly as bad as trying to get inside of a fancy sports car in a store at Downtown Disney when there are 6 signs surrounding the vehicle "Do Not Touch." James sure does keep our life interesting! That's for sure!
Jason's favorite part of Disney this time was the American Idol show in Disney Hollywood Studios. Throughout the day, there are auditions for American Idol. Those that make the auditions get to perform in one of several American Idol shows in Disney Hollywood Studios. The top singer (voted on by the audience) of each show then moves on the the finale show at 7pm. We went to the third to last show of the day and really enjoyed hearing the people sing. So, we decided to eat dinner in the park so we could stay for the finale show. The finale show had the best talent of the day (about 7 contestants) and was pretty entertaining. The winner of the finale gets a "fastpass" to the front of the line of any American Idol audition in any city for the actual show. Apparently this is how Aaron Kelly (one of the contestants from this year's American Idol) got his audition. It was fun for us, especially since this was the first year Jack and James were both very much into American Idol.
And my favorite part was seeing the boys take it all in and enjoy the sites and sounds. I loved seeing Jack discover Disney differently from when he went as a young 4 year old. He understood more and asked more questions. It was also so fun to see James see Disney for the first time, really. He's been two other times...but this time he was alert and aware of his surroundings. I loved seeing his pride when accomplishing each ride like a big boy. I also enjoyed being together as a family. I may have preferred a more relaxing setting at times, but all-in-all, just to be together is what makes any vacation perfect.
Of course, there is no place like home...and this week away was a real reminder of that. Even the most magical place in the world can't be as good as home sweet home.
By the way, our plan to reveal Disney as a surprise worked out perfectly. It was only about 2 hours before arriving to our hotel that the boys knew where we were headed! Even though Jack believed we were led to Disney by some magic bottle and notes...he still said to me and Jason almost daily..."thank you for bringing us to Disney World." I'm so proud of him for being so appreciative.
I am so glad y'all got to go and have fun together. What great memories. :)
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