So as Xavier's 2nd birthday is rapidly approaching, Dustin and I talked about what we wanted to do for it. We decided that because we had such a great trip to Disney last year, we would make it a tradition and take Beanie back to Disney.
I (being the avid planner that I am...) started researching ticket prices, hotel locations and reservations at cool Disney restaurants. As I was looking into I quickly realized that because we are Florida residents it was only an additional $40 more for all three of us to get a 3-day pass opposed to a 1 day pass. For us, this was a no brainer! We took the plunge and purchased the 3-day pass.
We wanted to use 2 of the days for his birthday- one at Magic Kingdom and one at Animal Kingdom- but weren't sure when to use the third pass. After looking at our schedules, we decided to go last weekend. It was a perfect little get away and we needed some family fun :)
Tallahassee is about 3 1/2 hours from Orlando so Dustin decided there was no need for a hotel. We would just wake up super early, drive their, play all day and then drive home.
We packed everything up Friday night and made sure that when we woke up we could just jump in the car and head out. Saturday morning, we woke up at 4:00 and unfortunately it didn't go as smoothly as we had hoped. Dustin set off the alarm while taking out the dog, we had to turn around 10 minutes out because we forgot the lunch box with Xavier's snacks and Dustin's ring and watch. Of course all of this was amplified due to the fact that it was 4AM.
After that, our bad luck was behind us and we made it to Orlando at about 8:30. The park opens at 9:00 so that gave us time to park, take the shuttle to the monorail and enter the park. It took about 45 minutes, but we were in by 9:15.
Pulling in!
A little sleepy...
On the shuttle heading to the park!
We got right down to business and headed to the part of the park that lends itself to toddlers- Fantasyland. Here we met Alice and the White Rabbit and got autographs. We had decided not to spend much time on characters but there was NO line and he hadn't gotten their autograph the last time so we went for it.
He like the rabbit more than Alice...
Still a little tired
Of course he wasn't looking...
While visiting Alice, we hopped on the Teacups. There was no line (a huge advantage to getting their early).
Getting on the Teacups
Not sure what to think...
...
...
He livened up-- I promise! HA!
After the Teacups, we headed over to the Speedway in Tomorrowland. We wanted to do lots of things in Tomorrowland because we didn't really get over there the first time. The line was about 20 minutes long and Beanie was very patient! No meltdowns! He took it all in and quietly observed. He rode with Daddy and I rode alone in the car behind them!
Waiting in line!
Almost our turn!
They are in the car in front of me and Space Mountain is in the background :)
Beanie and Daddy in front, Cinderella's Castle in the background!
He Loved This!
Dustin, knowing how much it would mean to me, even took a video of Beanie driving for the blog! Watching them drive together made my heart swell :)
After the Speedway, we headed back over to Fantasyland to ride a couple rides and get our fast passes! First stop, Dumbo!
He was so excited for this one!
He's currently very into picking his nose.....
After Dumbo, we measured Beanie to see if he was tall enough for the "Barnstormer's Roller Coaster" which is the roller coaster for youngin's but he wasn't quite tall enough. Next, we grabbed our fast passes at Pete's Big Top. When you get fast passes, you basically schedule what time you are going to ride a few of the rides so that you don't have to wait in line. Very helpful!
The wait for these three is usually more than an hour so they were first on our list!
After getting our Fast Passes, we went on the new "Under the Sea" ride with Ariel :) This was our first time on this ride! We waited a total of 3 minutes and most of that was simply walking through the ride to get to the seat.
Posing with King Tritan!
Listening to Scuttle!
Such a cute ride!
Afterwards, we headed toward Liberty Square for the Haunted Mansion and Lunch. Beanie had never been in the Hanuted Mansion and we wanted to make sure we went somewhere new for lunch too! We decided to go to the Columbia Harbour House. The food was light and relatively inexpensive.
After the ride
View of the Hanuted Mansion
Pit Stop!
Yum!
:)
After lunch, it was time to use our first Fast Pass-- Winnie the Pooh. Xavier LOVES Pooh and so he really got into this ride. By this time, he understood what each line meant so he was excited when we would sit down and buckle up :)
Here We Go!
He loves the ramps
He was so excited after the ride!
Next, we headed back to Tomorrowland where we spent the remainder of the early afternoon. First stop, the Peoplemover by Transit Authority. It is a leisurely little ride the gives you a tour of Tomorrowland but it is elevated above the park so you have a great view of a lot of the entire Magic Kingdom!
He liked this ride!
Silly beans!
His smile melts me!
By this time, it was about nap time...but we kept pushing on because we knew the crowds after lunch would be crazy. We headed to the Monster's Inc., Laugh Floor. THIS WAS MY FAVORITE PART OF THE DAY! This is more of a show than a ride. While you are in line for this show, you can text jokes to them and your jokes might get chosen during your show! It is basically a 10 minute comedy put on by the Monster's Inc. characters. During the show, they do a couple skits. During these skits they "pick on" audience members to play parts.....and guess who got chosen out of the 300 people in the theatre??? You guessed it....DUSTIN!!! hahaha He played Mike Wazowski. It was one of the funniest things I have ever seen. If you know Dustin, then you know why this was funny. He is not the type to participate in a show...but if the camera from this show is on you, you have no choice! It was awesome and Dust was hilarious.
Right before the show!
This is Mike Wazouski...who Dust played :)
Immediately after the skit that Dustin was in, Beanie fell asleep. We weren't surprised. It was a comfortable, dark theatre at nap time. So Dustin and I walked around the park at our leisure for about an hour to allow Beanie a good nap in his stroller.
Sleepy Baby!
Fortunately, Beanie woke up JUST in time for us to make our 2nd Fast Pass ride of the day-- Buzz Lightyear. This is one of the more fun rides for adults because while there is A LOT going on for the kiddos to see, there is also a laser gun game going on. Throughout the ride, you try to shoot at the little X alien guys. Needless to say, I kicked Dust's butt. It was a lot of fun :)
Just woke up! Waiting in line!
I tried to capture the scores to show I won but the lighting wouldn't allow it. X kept spinning the car around to make us go in circles...we all loved this ride :)
After Buzz, we headed over to Adventureland where we walked through the Swiss Family Treehouse and rode Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride.
Running around the Treehouse
He loved walking on this alone!
Waiting for the Magic Carpet!
Longest Wait of the Day!
Next, we used our last Fast Pass of the day and headed to Peter Pan, another favorite of Bean's. We got off of Peter Pan just in time to make our Dinner Reservation. On our way to dinner, we caught the "Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It" parade as well as Mickey and Minnie's Show at the castle.
FUN!
By the time we sat down for dinner, we were hungry and ready for a rest! We ate at the "Crystal Palace." This is where Pooh and the gang hang out so we got all of their autographs and pictures. It was so cute! Xavier was in awe of them! This was probably his favorite part of the day. He even pointed to his pen and signature book to make sure they signed for him. It was ADORABLE!
Waiting for Piglet!
Inside the restaurant
He was in LOVE
My FAVORITE pic of the day!!!!!
Eyore!
Friends :)
TIGGER!
Sitting in the Grand Entrance :)
<3
After dinner we were stuffed so we decided to go on a low key ride. We chose the big Liberty Square River Boat. This ride is just a big boat that takes you around the Northeast side of the park. There are great views! We saw all of Tom Sawyer's Island, the Mountain rides in the area and the castles :)
View of the castle right after dinner
Sittin' on the deck
Little feet overboard!
Tom Sawyer Island
View of the castle
Hi!
Haunted Mansion
Thunder Mountain
Cheeeeeese!
After the river boat, we waited in line for about 40 minutes for the Pirates of the Caribean. It is one of my favorites and Beanie thought it was funny. The pirates cracked him up!
Hot and Tired!
He loved this!
Next up, the Jungle Cruise :)
Waiting!
He loved all of the boat rides!
By this time it was getting late. We walked through Main Street and headed for the Carousel. Xavier LOVED this! It was beautiful. It was dark but the park was lit by the signs and castles and strings of lights. It was so fun :)
The Beast's Castle
Happy Baby
:)
Here is a short clip of the ride :)
When we got off the carousel, we decided to call it a night. Beanie was getting tired and we had a long drive home.
Beautiful :)
Happy Baby!
We would do anything for this little guy!
The drive home was long and rough...but we pulled in our driveway safe and sound around 1AM. It was such a fun day and we can't wait to go back in a few short weeks for Beanie's Birthday!
