All You Need is a Little Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust

So it has been a couple of weeks since we got back from our trip to Disney. It was a whirlwind of a trip - but a trip of a lifetime for Avery and Oliver. One that we have been waiting for for quite some time. Originally planned back in 2019, pre-covid days, our trip was set for November of 2020. Obviously with the pandemic our plans changed; Disney even shut down for a little while. With the virus running rampant and all of the rules and regulations in place, we rebooked a few times. The final countdown to our trip was here - I felt like I had an overly abundant time to research and plan our trip. It was helpful in some ways and in other ways gave me more anxiety for the anticipation of this big trip. I would say the silver lining would be that Oliver was 3 when we went and originally he only would have been 18 months old. Both kids were little thrill seekers and since he is so tall, he was able to enjoy many of the roller coaster rides etc. Not that he would not have enjoyed himself as a baby, but I think overall our trip was more fun for him because he was a little older. 

I loved seeing the excitement on the kids’ faces with our countdown to Disney. At the beginning of any Disney movie when the kids saw the castle on the screen they both would shout “WE ARE GOING THERE!” We talked about the different rides we might be able to do and who we might be able to see. The kids picked out what outfits they wanted to wear and almost on a daily basis would pack their suitcases with toys and books and pretend that they were going to Disney. These kids were ready! 

We explored all 4 parks. On our first travel day we dropped our bags at the hotel and headed over to Epcot. We got some food, met some princesses and rode a couple of rides. I was able to snag a lightning lane pass for Remy’s Ratatouille ride and Frozen Ever After ride (if you know, you know). A lightning lane pass gets you on the ride faster than waiting in the regular line. I could go into a whole tangent on that - but not today. The kids had a wonderful first day. Oliver fell asleep at dinner - we were up at 3:30 AM so not surprising. The kids loved to explore the butterfly sanctuary that they have as well. Overall the first day, being a travel day, was a success! 

We went to Magic Kingdom over multiple days. I am glad that we did that because we were able to prioritize rides, parades and meeting characters and I didn’t feel rushed. We were able to do pretty much everything we wanted to at this park. It is so big with so much to see and do. The kids loved it. I think one of my favorite things was riding some of the roller coasters and seeing Cinderella’s castle off in the distance as you are riding. Since it is right in the middle of the park, it was pretty much always in our view. Other highlights of this park were the fireworks show and eating in Cinderella’s castle. Mimi brought a lot of glow sticks for the kids and because we had so many they ended up passing out glow sticks to all of the kids (and some adults!) around us. They really enjoyed making other kids happy and spreading a little “pixie dust” to those around us before the fireworks. Avery had been asking us if we were able to see inside Cinderella’s castle. We kept telling her that we weren’t sure and that you needed special permission etc. We had reservations for breakfast on our last morning before heading to Animal Kingdom and kept it a surprise. We told her that on our last day we would go to the park early and see if maybe our name was on the list. Well she was very excited when she heard that our name was indeed on the list!

Hollywood Studios was amazing. We all loved Toy Story Land and Star Wars Galaxy Edge. The details that were put into these sections of the park were so impressive. The only rides the kids cared about in this park were the Slinky Dog roller coaster and Rise of the Resistance ride (Star Wars) and we were able to do both and more (thank you lightning lane!). Oliver asked us many times if he could sit in the front of Slinky Dog and we kept telling him that we weren’t sure if that would be able to happen. Well sure enough, it was our turn to ride and when Oliver asked the cast member directing us if he could sit in the front they said yes! His day was made. When we were on the Star Wars ride, we were less than half way through and the ride broke. We were escorted off and given a pass to come back later. Mimi and Pappy stopped to get food so we pulled into a shady spot to wait. All of a sudden, Rey and Chewbacca were walking towards us. Avery and Oliver were both dressed up together as Rey and Chewy so the characters spotted the kids immediately. They came right over and chatted with Avery and Oliver. It was such a cool and spontaneous moment - definitely a highlight of the trip! It was so magical and kind that they took the time to stop and make the kids feel special. Hilariously enough an opposite encounter happened with Kilo Ren where he was speaking to Avery and Oliver but since his mask was on they had zero clue he was “threatening” them (since they were dressed up like Rey and Chewbacca). The both of them acting so aloof was actually so perfect! Then Pappy yelled “Down with the First Order!” To which Kilo yelled back “SILENCE!” The details of everything, even the cast members’ roles at Disney, really made you feel immersed in the movies/experiences. We bellied up to the bar at Oga’s Cantina which was SO much fun. You felt like you were in the Star Wars world. The bartender made the kids some fun bubbly drinks and the adults enjoyed some well deserved alcohol. It was amazing. And yes, we got back on the Rise of the Resistance ride and made it all the way through and holy cow - what an experience!

We got to see Animal Kingdom as well. This was our last park and I have to say, by the time we got to this park I was POOPED. With all of the planning involved with rides and meals etc, I was mentally toast. But this park was a perfect ending to our trip. We loved the Pandora World of Avatar, meeting Kevin the bird from Up, the ginormous Discovery Island tree and seeing all of the amazing animals. Avery took on a Yeti on the Everest ride and was so excited that she rode on a roller coaster that went backwards!

Mimi and Pappy also took the kids back to the hotel for a couple of the nights that we were there so that mom and dad could go back out to the parks and enjoy some adult time. Having the extra sets of hands were key to a smoother trip for sure. They just went with the flow and left the planning to me - which is helpful in any situation with a big group. The kids enjoyed their company and I think Mimi and Pappy enjoyed not having to be in charge and just have fun!

We ended our trip with some down time to relax at our hotel and swim. We also planned a day at the Kennedy Space Center, for our little space enthusiast, where we met up with my cousin Matt and his family. The kids touched a moon rock, ate “space ice cream” and Avery got to ride on a launch simulator ride. Luck was on our side and a rocket launch was scheduled for the day we went. It was unbelievable. The kids were so excited that we got to see an actual rocket launch into space in person. Even as an adult it was pretty spectacular! Another highlight of the trip for sure! It was so nice being able to spend time with family as well. The kids loved hanging out with their older cousins and it was a nice treat to go back to their house for dinner and a swim!

I did not go to Disney as a young child. I was fortunate enough to go, however, as a pre-teen and teenager. We went as a family when I was in middle school and then I went a couple of times with my high school marching band. It was always so much fun. I loved the rides, I loved the characters, I loved the food. So I always imagined myself taking my kids someday. Seeing the magic come alive for the kids at their young ages was magical in and of itself. It was something I looked forward to so much and it lived up to my expectations. They were mesmerized by Cinderella’s castle. They were in love with every character that they met and got to HUG them (Oliver was particularly smitten over Minnie Mouse - the only character he cared about meeting - and it melted my heart over and over). They cheered and waved to everyone during the parades. They clapped for the fireworks. They were excited about every ride we went on. They pointed out all of the little details - the yummy smells, the bushes shaped like a princess, the cool looking birds that live in Florida that we don’t have up in New Hampshire, a small statue of Mickey hidden in the park. I know some people think that taking little kids to Disney is a waste - but I beg to differ. It was everything I had hoped it would be and more. They may not remember every little detail, but I will.