"An Extra Magical Day"- Day 1

It was so much fun waking the kids up on Tuesday morning. We had to leave the house around 5:10...to be exact. So we got them up around 4:30. We carried Mary Conlee to Cole's bed and then Judd and I each put on Mickey Mouse ears to tell them the news. I'm glad we didn't film ourselves, that's for sure! It seemed as though we were speaking a foreign language to them. You would think with mom and dad donning Mickey ears, it would be a dead giveaway. But apparently the news was too much to handle! Cole kept falling back into the bed. Mary Conlee, our morning child, began rattling off the names of her favorite rides. She was most excited about getting an airplane blanket.

 
Are you kidding me?

 
Barely awake but ready to go


We just had to get this "candid camera" moment on film. PRICELESS!

As you can imagine, they got dressed and ready in record time and we were amazed how there wasn't any whining or complaining. Our ride to Memphis was in the dark, but the kids were too excited to fall back asleep. After checking in, we ate breakfast. By now, it was only 7:45. We called both sets of grandparents so the kids could tell them where they were going. Mama Charlie didn't believe MC when she told her. I guess the kids weren't the only ones in the dark!

 
Our very own bellhops!



Enjoying breakfast at the Memphis airport

Cole and Mary Conlee worried about their favorite things being left in Tupelo (blankets, stuffed animals, electronics). Thank goodness, we had done the packing for them and had everything they wanted or needed. Both kids fought over which one would sit by the window. Little did we know, there was no need in that. What's the opposite of flying first class? Flying coach on the BACK ROW of the plane. We booked the trip only 3 1/2 weeks out, so we weren't too surprised by our location. The last row happened to be row 26 on our "jumbo jet." And unbeknownst to me, the window on the the last row is permanently closed. So we didn't have a view at all coming or going. Instead, the kids spent their time doing homework, reading books, and playing with their iPods and Nintendo DS games. The flight from Memphis to Orlando is only 1 hour and 42 minutes. By the time we take off, level out, and have our snack...it is time to land!



Doing our work on the plane

Being that this is our 3rd trip to Disney World, we have it down to an exact science. As soon as we arrived at the airport, we headed for Disney's Magical Express, which whisked us away to our resort. As soon as we arrived, they presented us with leis. Cole was none too excited to be wearing pink flowers around his neck, but he obliged his mommy with a few photos before taking it off. After checking out the place and going to our room, we took the monorail to Epcot. We rode Spaceship Earth, Soarin', and checked out some science and discovery exhibits. Our main goal this trip was to do as much as we could, and try as many new things as we could. We didn't just want a repeat of last year's trip. After riding a few more rides, we headed back to our room to get dressed for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. This is one of our favorite things to do at Disney World. We get to trick or treat in the Magic Kingdom, experience no wait times on each ride, and watch the "Boo To You" parade and Hallowishes fireworks show.


Arriving at the Polynesian Resort

 
Receiving our leis at check-in

 
We loved the theme and decor at the Polynesian--complete with tiki torches, waterfalls, and a volcano smimming pool!

 
Our living quarters

 
Riding the monorail to Epcot

 
The biggest kid of all- Daddy riding the Segway at Innovations in Epcot

Our first stop in the Magic Kingdom was to Splash Mountain for a little "zip a dee doo dah" in our favorite laughing place. This quickly became one of Cole's favorite rides last year. Mary Conlee? Not so much because of the 50 foot drop that can leave you wet. She was almost in tears as we rode our little log through the homes of Brer Fox, Brer Bear, and Brer Rabbit. Judd was coaching her the entire time and showing her how to blow out air as we plunged down the hill. As soon as she did, she was screaming with delight and wanted to ride again. Every picture that was made on that ride showed MC with her eyes closed and her mouth blowing out air. Little did we know, she would become our dare devil and the child who would ride anything! Another favorite ride for us is the Haunted Mansion. At the end of the ride, you pass by a mirror where the hologram of a ghost is riding in the "doom buggy" with you. The ghost will follow you home when you leave. Cole took these words seriously last year and has even named the one he loves the most, Mr. Law. I really don't know where he came up with that name, but if Cole is anything like his dad...he will become a strict follower of the law. The name fits perfectly! There are three different ghosts that can appear, but it was special for Mr. Law to appear in Cole's doom buggy for our first ride of the year. That made his night!

 
Dressed up for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. Cole wasn't thrilled to be wearing "last year's" costume. MC didn't mind, although her gown was a bit shorter this year!

 
BOO TO YOU!!!

 
Mickey and Minnie

We also rode Pirates of the Carribean, another family favorite. We all sang "Yo Ho Yo Ho" the whole way through the ride. Cole is fascinated by a particular skeleton called the Helmsman. It was great to see he and Jack Sparrow again. Mary Conlee absolutely loves It's a Small World. That is the longest boat ride and it is impossible to get that tune out of my head. But watching her take such joy in seeing each of the characters, especially the hippo, makes it all worthwhile! We watched the Halloween parade and stayed for the fireworks before heading back to our room. After all, we had been up since dark thirty this morning. What a great surprise for the kids and one that Mom and Dad would surely enjoy as well!