DISNEY 2010

We made our annual/semi annual pilgrimage to see The Mouse at the beginning of June and I must say it was one of our best trips yet! We were joined by Ron's sister Liz, who had never been to Disney. It was definitely fun to show her the ropes, however I'm not sure she's recovered from all that walking yet. LOL.

I only took around 400 pictures, which is not much for me on a trip like this. My subjects were not very cooperative....HA HA!

The biggest surprise of the trip was Gracie's total lack of interest in the characters. She was all about getting to the next ride or roller coaster and the swimming pool! It was also the first year that she was not in a stroller and we were prepared for the whining. But, we were shocked that she NEVER complained about the walking......and we walked alot and it was HOTTTTT!!!! On the contrary, if I had a dollar for every time Gracie looked at me, out of the blue, and said "Mommy, this is the best vacation ever!" and "I love Disney World", I would be rich. We also got confirmation on something we already knew.......she's NOT shy! She made friends with everyone she came in contact with.....on the monorail, in the park, on the boat, in the pool, and on the beach.

This was our first stay at The Polynesian and it was great. The convenience of the monorail and the theme of the resort was awesome. We had a room right next to the Great Ceremonial House, which was also a short walk to the pool and Ticket and Transportation Center. I would definitely recommend this resort to anyone (only if you are able to get a substantial discount!)

I'm happy to announce that after much research and speaking with friends who are members, we are now Disney Vacation Club members!!! We are so excited and have already begun planning our next trip/trips :) Our new home is Bay Lake Towers at the Contemporary.

Enjoy the pics!

Welcome to The Polynesian!

We had a great view from our room. We could actually see some of the Magic Kingdom fireworks. The best viewing spot for the fireworks, however, was on the beach. Perfect.

The quiet pool right outside our window

The volcano/fun pool. I'll know next time to budget for the pool side pina coladas. That was sticker shock!

She was always 100 ft ahead of us and running at super speed!

Waiting for the monorail

Our first monorail ride to the Magic Kingdom

The first walk down Main Street always chokes me up.

Climbing the Swiss Family Treehouse. That was a first for us. Pretty cool to be climbing it during the fireworks too!

Our first ride was Thunder Mountain of course! Gracie's favorite. Here they come!!!

Gracie rode all the mountains this trip. We won't talk about Space Mountain. Let's just say that she was not a fan. Her new favorite is Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom which she rode several times!

Yeah, we got soaked!

She even got a driver's license while in Florida ;)

Waiting for breakfast at Ohana with Lilo and Stitch

This is one of our favorite breakfast spots. The dinner at Ohana was also wonderful..... All you can eat steak, chicken, shrimp.......

Hollywood Studios

The Disney Photo Pass photographer made her do this ridiculous pose. I didn't get it.

Waiting for "Voyage of the Little Mermaid", one of our favorites. Photographed by Gracie

Devo anyone?

A trip to Disney World would not be complete without eating a Mickey Bar....or a few.

This next picture CRACKS me up. Gracie was so engrossed in what was playing on the screen at the Sci-Fi cafe.

Again

This is the closest I've ever come to San Fran.

Enjoying a quiet morning on the beach at the Poly.

Yes, I know I need a tan.

There were so many ducks at the resort. Gracie enjoyed feeding them. A flock of them even swam with her in the pool.

We ate in Mexico for lunch one day. We were craving chips and salsa.

Kidcot stop #1

She got a gown in China.

She also got her face painted, which became a nuisance later when it was so hot and it became itchy.

Her makeup artist

She bought a fan in Japan and had her name written in Japanese.

When asked what her favorite thing about this trip, she says the Kim Possible mission. This is something fairly new in Epcot where they give you a cell phone with 7 missions to save one of the countries. It's like a scavenger hunt. Our mission was in France and Gracie was very serious about the task.

I LOVE this picture of my baby with her arm around her daddy :) It makes me smile every time.

Playing Mickey Mouse hopscotch.

Anchor

Brucie

Chum

Dinner at Nine Dragons in China was very good.




It was a long HOT day


"It's Tough to Be a Bug".....especially when your eyes are on upside down.




These next few pictures are what you get when you give the camera to a 7 year old while waiting in line for Kilimanjaro Safari.

Aside from my double chin, not a bad pic.



These were some aching feet!

Here we go

I'm just glad she didn't get a picture of mine

This is one of the 100 photos that Ron took of this White Rhino that was right near our jeep...LOL

Making friends swimming in Seven Seas Lagoon
(I know the water looks gross)

I tried getting a picture with the castle in the background.....not an easy task with an unwilling participant :)





There's Bay Lake Towers on the left
Sand Angels

She must have gone down this slide 100 times. It was pretty fun, I must say.

Ron played a round of golf one day and this is how close he came to a Hole in One. SWEET.

This photo is so funny to me. Look at those long legs.

Prince Charming's Carousel. This prince doesn't look too thrilled.

Teacups

On our way to Hoop Dee Doo Review

This was Gracie, Ron and Liz's first time to the Hoop Dee Doo Revue. This was Gracie's face the entire time. She laughed the whole show through. It was definitely worth it. We loved it.

After the Hoop Dee Doo Review, Gracie and I headed back to the Magic Kingdom for the Extra Magic Hours by ourselves. Ron and Liz wimped out on us. We had such a special time together just the two of us. Here she is being captured by the evil Zerg.

We rode the Astro Orbitor for the first time ever and it was soooo cool.

THE FINAL POSE

(The castle was in the background....but again I wasn't quick enough with my camera settings)

WE LOVE YOU MICKEY. SEE YA NEXT TIME!