The Disney Series Part 2 - Epcot

On our first day at the parks we visited Epcot.  We woke up to our 4:30am alarm (this is an adventure, not a vacation remember) and started the coffee.  How people get through a Disney trip without coffee is beyond me!  We got everyone ready and sunscreened and stepped outside to the 50 degree weather....it was freezing!  I know, I know we live in MN, 50 degrees is downright balmy.  But when you're in Florida dressed in shorts, tank tops, and Minnie ears it feels freezing!  Regardless, we woke up excited and ready to go and arrived at the park shortly after 7.  This was the kids' first experience with "hurry up and wait" on this trip.  They were a bit confused by the fact that we still had 45 minutes before the park even opened.  I, however, was ecstatic that we were the second family in line.  Maybe it was all the practice being early birds in the real world, but I will say we were rope drop masters this whole trip!  We passed the time by getting magic bands, using the bathroom, and taking selfies of course!! ;)

Ready to go!

Magic bands were our first purchase upon arrival.  Best decision ever!

Our first ride was Spaceship Earth.  I had a detailed touring plan all ready to go, but also knew that crowds would be crazy, so I was prepared to wait.  The kids and I got in line while Luke parked the stroller.  It soon became apparent that there was in fact no line, and that we would be walking right on to the ride (what?!).  As I tried to move to the side to wait for Luke we were quickly ushered ahead onto a moving conveyor belt where the ride was loading.  There is no stopping at Disney (at least not during spring break), you move with the crowd or....I'm not sure what, maybe the mysterious people with clipboards poof you into never never land.  Anyway, to make a long story short Luke ended up a couple of cars behind us, I had a mild freak out over the fact that although Beau and Cora were right in front of me I couldn't see them at all.  Once we got into the ride though Disney magic took over and it ended up being one of our favorites.
We moved on to meet the Disney characters, including the much anticipated Minnie Mouse.  Turns out Sylvie likes Minnie better from a distance.  She would very tentatively touch the characters' hands but boy if they moved in any closer than that she couldn't escape fast enough!  We were 'those people' I'm sure all the characters love with 3 autograph books in hand to be signed.  We did, however, have them ready to go and retractable sharpie in hand, but yes, I'm sure we got a giant eye roll every time ;).

Seriously Mickey, I'm much to old to be getting hugs from a mouse!

and that look is what Disney's all about

Cora loved the hugs

My what big hands you have Minnie

We couldn't believe how well the morning went.  Even as the crowds picked up we never had to wait more than a few minutes to get on a ride.  Cora and I loved Soarin', while Beau couldn't seem to get past the fact that our legs were dangling above a giant unknown abyss.  Luke hung back with Sylvie, and we now wish that we would have done a child swap on this ride because it ended up being one of my favorite rides and it's the one everyone asks him if he did.  Had we known then how easy 'childswap' was we would have done it.  Seriously Disney has it all figured out.  We rode all the rides in Future World in the morning and then moved to the World Showcase in the afternoon.

Surprisingly, even though we weren't lining up for rides, this is where I noticed the crowds.  It was difficult to explore and see what each country had to offer with all the people.  I would love to go back with the sole goal of eating or drinking something in each country.  We did see Mulan in China, who Cora has had a recent infatuation with (thank you ABC Family princess marathon), so we lined up to get her autograph.  After waiting and waiting and waiting in line Cora suddenly had to use the bathroom.  Really?  Because we're 2 people away!  I asked her if she could wait, but she had to go right now.  So Luke, Beau, and Sylvie stayed in line for Mulan while Cora and I trucked it back to Norway to use the bathroom.  By the time we got back Mulan had signed autographs and signed off. We attempted to tour a few more of the countries but with the crowds it was difficult to tell what was an attraction to explore and what was a restaurant.  After fighting the crowds to get to a cool looking building only to find out it was a restaurant we opted to stick to the main path and take in the sights from there.  By this time the kids were getting cranky and legs were getting tired.  We caught a boat ride back to Mexico and found a much needed margarita.  I'm fairly certain the glass was rimmed with golden salt based on the price tag, but nonetheless it was just what the doctor ordered.  We took a break and used it as an opportunity to change the girls into their princess dresses for our princess dinner.

Touring the World Showcase

Mulan, sans Cora

Preparing for the princess dinner

We met Belle, Ariel, Aurora, Cinderella, and Snow White.  Cora definitely got her princess fix as each one came around to our table to sign autographs and pose for pictures.  She then got to be led around the entire restaurant by Ariel in a princess parade!  By this point Sylvie was done.  She wanted nothing to do with any princess, pictures, or parades.  Lets just say by this point I was very thankful for that margarita.  Beau was also not about to get his picture taken with any princesses!  I will say that this entire trip he was such a trooper, never complaining about all the girly stuff a trip to Disney with 2 sisters entails.

Ariel...my favorite princess of the evening because she was the only one who spoke like a normal person!

Princess parade

Hanging in there

not hanging in there

After supper it was back to the hotel, where Sylvie got a second wind (only to be fueled by Cora) and ran around like a maniac until "bedtime".  I use the term bedtime loosely as Sylvie interpreted it as time to throw stuffed animals, jump on her siblings, and keep them awake by any means possible.  Beau was actually annoyed.  Cora, on the other hand, was just as big a culprit in the charades.  While feigning annoyance her giggles and squeals gave her away.  One would think that a day outside, walking for miles, having each of their 5 senses overstimulated for hours on end would cause them to be asleep as soon as their head hit the pillow.  Not so my friend, not so.