Family Vaca: Our Day in Disney

After our one day trip to Disney last year, I really thought I had all of my ducks in a row this year.  Cute Mickey Mouse shirts for the whole family, check!  New memory card for the camera, check!  Backpack full of snacks, check!  Six to one adult to child ratio, check!  Juice refills for the entire day, check!  Despite my best efforts in preparation, I have decided there is no way to keep seven people happy, stay cool, be energetic, and not lose patience at what is supposed to be “the happiest place on earth!”  Even though we didn’t exactly have the “magical” experience I had been hoping for, Charley loved being at Disney!  She got to take pictures with and hug on Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, Goofy, and Donald Duck.  The only character we missed was Pluto.  She also got to meet Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Belle and Ariel.  Thanks to Princess Sofia, her love for Disney princesses is constantly growing, so seeing them up close was extra special for Charley.

 
One thing is for sure, Charley was such a big girl when it came to riding all of the different rides at Magic Kingdom. We rode the new Little Mermaid ride, Dumbo, Aladdin’s Magic Carpet, Pirates of the Caribbean, Peter Pan’s Flight, Barnstormer roller coaster, carousel, and walked through the Swiss Family Robinson treehouse...after all, that is where I got the inspiration for the blog name.  As soon as we would get off a ride, Charley would say, “I wanna do it again!"

Around 2:30 when we made our way to get a good spot for the parade, Charley fell asleep.  I was so afraid she would wake up in a terrible mood, but I really didn’t want her to miss out on seeing all the characters.  Luckily the power nap was just what she needed, and she perked up just in time!  She had a very special connection when Snow White pointed to her and said, “I love your bow!”  (They matched!)  And she finally got to see the Beast, which made her really happy!

Our first attempt at taking the classic-in-front-of-the-castle picture didn’t turn out so great, but we snapped a few more at the end of the day that were much better...which was surprising considering we were hot, tired and sweaty!

We all survived the family trip to Disney...as far as the sign as we were leaving...not so sure how “soon” we will return!  For now, Charley is beyond thrilled with the princess snow globe, Minnie Mouse necklace and bracelet that her Granddad got for her!  Maybe those souvenirs will hold her over for a while!