Disney Day #5

Tuesday was also my friend Sarah's birthday and we spent the day at Epcot.  Our first stop was getting a FastPass for Soarin' so we could come back later and not have to wait in line.  Juliana was started to get nervous about new rides so we didn't want to wait in line and give her any extra time to panic.  Then we went to the VIP Center for Siemens at Spaceship Earth.  We had a drink and relaxed for a few minutes (it was already getting hot out) and then we walked on the ride from the special back entrance - no waiting! 

We were also given a Express Pass for Test Track while we were at the VIP Center, so we headed there next.  And once agin we walked right on without waiting in line. 

Then it was time for our Soarin' FastPasses so we rode that and to my surprise Juliana loved it!  There was one loud part that scared her, other than that she was very excited that we got FastPasses to come back later.  After a morning of rides and no lines we were having a good time.  Then it was time for our lunch reservation in Norway with Princesses Belle, Aurora, Ariel, Cinderella and Snow White. Juliana took advantage of a few minutes wait to play in the dirt before our Royal lunch.  Juliana posed herself in these pictures, we were cracking up at her positions and expressions.

The food was much better than I expected it to be and Sarah got a birthday treat and a card signed by all of the Princesses.

From Norway we walked through the World Showcase.  At each country they had a kid's center with markers and a shaped tag.  At the first stop, Juliana got a mask and started coloring it and then at each country we would find the stop and get a tag to add to her mask.  There were stamps that could be added at each of the countries and they wrote her name in Chinese on the mask when we stopped in China.  It was a great way to keep her entertained along the way.  That and she was riding in the stroller so she didn't have to walk.

At one point, Mickey and his pals appeared and Juliana was right there when they lined up.  So she quickly ran to Mickey and we took pictures with all of the characters without waiting.

Santa and Mrs Claus were waiting for us in the United States pavilion.  And Santa couldn't stop himself from laughing when Juliana announced that she wanted fake hair for Christmas.

We also stopped for treats along the way.  Lemoncello and Champagne for Sarah and I - it was a birthday celebration afterall...  And of course a break for pastries in France.

Canada was the last stop and Juliana spent some time working on the finishing touches of her mask and she invited a boy to come and talk to her.

We went back to Soarin' and Juliana had a great time again and told everyone that was her favorite ride at Disney.  Then we went on the Energy ride (Juliana was scared throughout most of it) and left the Park asit was getting dark.  We went back to the hotel, had dinner and Juliana went swimming in the kiddie pool.  Then it was time to wash all of the Princess glitter out of her hair and go to bed.

Disney #7

Friday morning we did some park hopping to go back to our favorite attractions. First stop - Animal Kingdom. Juliana went to the Festival of the Lion King show with Nonni and G, while Scott and I rode Everest 4 times (makes 10 for the week - great coaster - excellent addition Disney). Juliana had a final turn on the Triceratops spin and then we got on the bus to MGM.

First we had lunch at MGM and then Juliana went to the Beauty and the Beast show with Nonni. During the show when Beast is stabbed and falls to the ground and it is very quiet - Juliana said "Beast fall down" loud enough to produce giggles from their section. Scott and I went on Tower of Terror and the Rock-N-Roller Coaster. Then we went across the park to the Muppet 3-D show, Juliana was not so amused by this one and wouldn't wear the glasses. We left the park to go back to the hotel for naps.

After nap time, Juliana went swimming with Scott and G. She has had so much fun swimming this week - no fear of the water; face under, no problem. Then Juliana went out to dinner with Nonni and G.

Scott and I went to Epcot for dinner, we had 8:15 reservations at Bistro de Paris. We were there early and seated at 8:00. The food was delicious!! But it was a long meal - my main course arrived at 9:30 just as the fireworks were starting outside. The restaurant is in the second floor and we were seated near a window so we watched the fireworks from our table. Desert - so awesome - warm, Grand Marnier souffle - yum!

We took some pictures around the hotel Saturday morning. We stayed at the Pop Century resort which has areas for each decade from the 1950s to the 1990s - we were in the 1960s. The stair towers at the end of each building are inside an iconic item from that decade - our stairs were inside giant yo-yos - the stairs that we used were in the green yo-yo or as Juliana called it - the big green circle.

Saturday morning we packed up the van and headed to the airport for our 12:25 flight. The flight was on time and baggage was quick in Pittsburgh (I may be a Southwest convert after this - on time flights, leg room, snacks on the plane, fast baggage claim), we were in the Jeep at 3:00 and Juliana was sound asleep within minutes. She was very good on the flight home.

Disney #4

We started the day at Epcot. Juliana went on Nemo with mom and Scott, Dad and I headed to Soarin. Then Mom and I switched and she went on Soarin and I took Juliana to meet characters. We waited about 30 minutes and then she was very happy to see Mickey! She was almost as excited to see Minnie - she was very interested in their noses and tried to pinch their cheeks. But would not go near Goofy or Pluto and had to be coaxed for a brief visit with Chip and Dale.

Unfortunately Juliana was not having a good day - she was very cranky and tired. So we came back to the hotel at noon. Everyone took an afternoon nap, then we went to Downtown Disney for some shopping and dinner.

Disney #1

We arrived in Orlando Friday morning. Juliana was very good on the plane - just a bit restless toward the end. After some minor issues in the check-in process and eating lunch, we decided that naps were a good idea.

We napped for a bit and then went to Epcot for a few hours. Juliana's first ride was Nemo - she was so excited and loved looking at the fish tanks after the ride. We walked around for a while. Juliana had lots of trouble falling asleep, hopefully she was adjust quickly and sleep better throughout the week.

Saturday morning we went to MGM - she was so excited to ride on the bus :)

Scott, Dad and I had a quick ride on the Tower of Terror and then it was off to Breakfast - character breakfast with the Little Einsteins - Juliana was so excited when she saw June and Leo!!!

After breakfast we went on Rock-N-Roller Coaster and then more characters - Donald & Daisy Duck, Handy Manny, and Annie (Little Einsteins).

Juliana, Mom and I came back to the hotel for a quick dip in the pool, lunch and now Juliana is napping. We are planning to go to the Magic Kingdom after her nap.