Around the World in a Day

Epcot center is really an amazing park. It has a little of everything, E-ticket rides, educational exhibits and a bunch of cool countries to explore. Again we got there early, in time to get a few fast passes before the park got too crowded. First stop was test track, a high speed car ride. Next was a trip into space where Greg and Gabriella got to help command a shuttle mission. I sat out with the babies and when Greg got off the ride he advised me not to go because even his steel coated stomach was feeling a bit queasy. We rode the Finding Nemo ride and looked at all the cool fish and even went to see Turtle Talk with Crush. Then we started on the countries. Epcot has changed a bit since we visited for our honeymoon or maybe it just seemed different going with little kids. Each country had characters from movies set there. Alice and Mary Poppins in England, Marie, Belle and the Beast in Paris and Mulan in China. It was really wonderful for Gabriella to see some of the rarer characters and learn where they were from. For example, I didn't know Snow White was set in Germany. The day ended with a firework and water show and a slow march through the park. If there is one thing to say about Epcot it's that you feel like you've walked around the world when you go there.

It's a Jungle in There

Our first theme park stop was Animal Kingdom. It was a crisp morning and we bundled up in light sweaters and pants and headed out to the early entry bus, along with everyone else at our hotel. Each day a different theme park opens an hour early or stays open an hour later for park guests. We struggled to get all five of us and a stroller on the bus and then unloaded at the theme park, but we managed. Once the tickets were purchased and everyone was settled in their respective spots we headed into the park. Our first ride of the day was the Safari, it's a tour through the animal enclosures in the guise of taking a real safari in Africa. We saw a lot of cool animals and since it was still cool they were actually moving around. The hippos were huge and the herd of elephants even featured a few babies.

Next stop was the Himalayan train ride. I would say it was a cross between Thunder Mountain railroad and the Matterhorn. The Yeti is chasing us and the train goes forward and backwards. Greg took Gabriella on first and we gave her the option to go with me again or wait with the babies. She came off the ride looking windblown and a little apprehensive, but she agreed to take me on it. I asked her what happened and she insisted it should be a surprise. We had a great time and there is nothing more fun than riding a rollercoaster with a happily screaming 5 year old. She and Greg braved the rapids ride and they both required an outfit change afterwards. One of the best parts of the Animal Kingdom were the amount of unique and not often seen characters around the park giving autographs. Balou and King Louie were on hand to say hello to the girls as well as Pocahontas, Lilo and Stitch and Terk from Tarzan. Gabriella had almost filled up her autograph book by the time we were ready to go back to the hotel. The park was beautiful and the animals were fun to look at. There were plenty of shady spots to sit and some fairly tasty food to eat. Greg also sat through the Finding Nemo musical which he counts as his arts event for the year.

Vacation

The Woo says it all. We just got back from our amazing vacation to Florida. There is something so magical about Disney, at least to me. It's been a part of my life since I was young. I remember going with my Aunt Sylvia, I remember working there, I remember the look on Gabriella's face when she first saw Sleeping Beauty's castle and just a few weeks ago I saw her see Cinderella's. I can't say enough about the magic of Disney World. There are so many theme parks and so much to see. In the coming days I'll attempt to summarize our trip. This was my third trip to Disney World, Greg's second and our children's first.

Our flight to Florida was great, the little girls did as well as could be expected. Genevieve is certainly not a huge fan of flying, she cried a bit but eventually just settled down and slept. Gabriella fell asleep from the start of the flight until we landed, I think Julia and Greg did too. Everyone was well rested when we arrived in Orlando. Disney of course had a great bus to get us to our resort. We got in early and had to wait a few hours for our room to be ready, but we were entertained by the Disney Channel. More to follow.