Sorry its taken me a while to get these pictures up, but we had almost 750 pictures to go through, on top of catching up on our sleep. We had an amazing trip. It was exciting, fun and exhausting all in one. We stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge and saw giraffes, ostriches, antelopes, and other such animals from our balcony everyday.
We got there Saturday about 4 and met everyone at the hotel. We relaxed for a little bit and got settled and then headed to the Magic Kingdom. Madison had no idea what she was in for. It was almost time for the parade, so we headed to some hopefully less busy rides after a few pictures.
Teacups had to be first. Madison had been talking about them for weeks. Then Dumbo and Pooh. Then we had dinner outside while the fireworks were going off. Then a couple more rides and back to bed. It had been a long day.
Then next day we headed to Hollywood Studios. Pluto was the first character we got to meet.
Then we met Woody and Buzz.
Then the Toy Story Mania ride. So fun but Madison did not like waiting. This was the longest wait of the week. Mr. Potato Head is in the pre-show area.
We tried to see the Beauty and the Beast show, but it was canceled due to some sort of technical difficulties. But we got to meet Belle and the cast instead. Might have been even better than the show! Mostly Madison just stared and waved. She was a little awestruck.
That night for dinner we went to the Wilderness Lodge. Great food and they had fun games throughout dinner. Including this pony ride around the dining room.
After dinner we headed back to Magic by boat for a few rides. Rick and I rode Space Mountain while Grandma and Grandpa took Madison on the Astro Rider. I think it was a little much for Grandma, but Maddie loved it!
Monday we headed to Epcot. There are not a ton of kids rides at Epcot, but lots of Characters to meet. This is just after Mickey gave her a kiss.
The Nemo ride. She loved this ride. I thought she would love Turtle Talk with Crush, where Crush actually talks to the kids in the room (he is on a screen), but I don't think she really got it.
Chillin' in her ride.
For those of you that don't know Epcot, it has Future World which is where most of the rides are. And then the World Showcase. Mini representations of different countries with shopping and great food. And more characters! Mulan in China.
Snow White in Germany.
Aurora in France. She had quite a conversation with Maddie who actually talked to her. But its a tie between Aurora and Ariel as to which one is Madison's favorite. So that might be why she talked.
Madison and I in France.
At each country you can decorate a different mask. This is in Morocco as we wait for Jasmine to come out.
The mask. Kind of scary...
Jasmine and Aladdin.
After lunch we were heading back to the room for a nap when we stumbled on some more characters! And Madison's favorite Bolt was there. She was sooooo happy.
Monday night Grandma and Grandpa took Madison to dinner and put her to bed so Rick and I could ride some of our favorite rides at Hollywood Studios. Spence, Ashley and Cy met up with us later for some rides as well. We had to stop at Star Wars for some photos. It was a great time to be there with almost no lines.
Tuesday morning was Animal Kingdom.
The Safari ride. Really cool and the White Rhino came right up to our truck.
Madison found the drums and went to town.
Flik from Bug's Life.
The Nemo musical. Very well done. Madison wanted to stay for the next show and didn't understand we had to leave.
A break before lunch.
Lunch with the crew next to Everest.
After lunch we headed to Dino-Land. We had to ride the Triceratops ride (exactly like Dumbo with dinosaurs). Then Maddie rode again with G&G. After that we headed to the Boneyard playground area which M didn't want to leave.
For dinner that might we had dinner at Chef Mickey's. We got to see Mickey, Pluto, Minnie, Donald and Goofy again.
Plus great desserts.
Madison finally got the balloon she had been wanting all week.
Wednesday morning was breakfast with the princesses in Norway (Epcot). We had posed pictures with Belle as we got there and then the other princesses visited our table. It was a really good breakfast too!
Back at the hotel that afternoon, we went down to the viewing area to see the animals. There were zebras and about 6 giraffes that walked by while we were down there.
We had dinner at our hotel at Boma, awesome food including African inspired dishes. That night AK was open late, so we headed back for a few things we missed, including the Lion King Festival. Another one Maddie didn't understand why we couldn't stay for more. Then we played on the playground some more, rode the dinosaur again and said hi to Safari Mickey and Minnie.
This is Mickey laughing after Madison showed him her Mickey sticker.
Thursday morning we had a laid back morning at the hotel. We tried a little swimming, but it was a little cold. We did an early nap and then headed to Magic for the parade. When we got there we rode the Walt Disney Railroad to Frontierland.
Where we happened to find Woody and Jessie. Madison really likes Woody, but she LOVES Jessie. And we were the last ones to see them before they had to leave for the parade. We messed around some more and then took the monorail to Epcot for dinner at Italy. Really good!
Friday morning we headed back to Magic for a few more rides and Grandma met us there. More Dumbo.
And Cinderella's Carousel.
Minnie's house.
Madison's first roller coaster!
Maddie really really wanted to ride the cars. So Grandma and I went in the car in front so we could get some pics of her with Dad. She loved going fast she said (it wasn't fast...).
Our last night was in Epcot and dinner at Canada. Sounds weird, but a really good steakhouse. We also did our last night shopping spree. We did pretty good about waiting until the end to buy anything so we'd know what we really wanted.
The pictures below are our Post Family traditional photo every time we come to Disney World. Notice Madison's new ears. One of the days we were at Epcot, a group came up to us, said they were on a scavenger hunt and could they give Maddie some Mickey Ears. So we took those ears and got her name put on them. Pretty cool.
Madison's set up on the plane. She did great about staying in her chair and watching her movies. She also has her new Minnie shirt that we had to buy for her at the airport because she spilled my starbucks all over her shirt.
Several times since we have been back Madison has wanted to to a toast to Disney World at dinner. She will raise her glass and say "To Disney World" and we have to clink glasses. I guess we did that a couple times when we were there. She has also asked when we are going back....
Thanks Mickey for a great vacation!
On the teacups.
At dinner in Italy.
Waiting with Ashley.
On the rocket with Grandma. I think Grandma is getting sick...
At our hotel.
Our balcony.
The soon to be Mr. and Mrs.
Boat ride to dinner.
In line for the carousel, I think...
Mom, what else can we buy??
Teacups had to be first. Madison had been talking about them for weeks. Then Dumbo and Pooh. Then we had dinner outside while the fireworks were going off. Then a couple more rides and back to bed. It had been a long day.
Then we met Woody and Buzz.
Then the Toy Story Mania ride. So fun but Madison did not like waiting. This was the longest wait of the week. Mr. Potato Head is in the pre-show area.
We tried to see the Beauty and the Beast show, but it was canceled due to some sort of technical difficulties. But we got to meet Belle and the cast instead. Might have been even better than the show! Mostly Madison just stared and waved. She was a little awestruck.
That night for dinner we went to the Wilderness Lodge. Great food and they had fun games throughout dinner. Including this pony ride around the dining room.
After dinner we headed back to Magic by boat for a few rides. Rick and I rode Space Mountain while Grandma and Grandpa took Madison on the Astro Rider. I think it was a little much for Grandma, but Maddie loved it!
Monday we headed to Epcot. There are not a ton of kids rides at Epcot, but lots of Characters to meet. This is just after Mickey gave her a kiss.
The Nemo ride. She loved this ride. I thought she would love Turtle Talk with Crush, where Crush actually talks to the kids in the room (he is on a screen), but I don't think she really got it.
Chillin' in her ride.
For those of you that don't know Epcot, it has Future World which is where most of the rides are. And then the World Showcase. Mini representations of different countries with shopping and great food. And more characters! Mulan in China.
Snow White in Germany.
Aurora in France. She had quite a conversation with Maddie who actually talked to her. But its a tie between Aurora and Ariel as to which one is Madison's favorite. So that might be why she talked.
Madison and I in France.
At each country you can decorate a different mask. This is in Morocco as we wait for Jasmine to come out.
The mask. Kind of scary...
Jasmine and Aladdin.
After lunch we were heading back to the room for a nap when we stumbled on some more characters! And Madison's favorite Bolt was there. She was sooooo happy.
Monday night Grandma and Grandpa took Madison to dinner and put her to bed so Rick and I could ride some of our favorite rides at Hollywood Studios. Spence, Ashley and Cy met up with us later for some rides as well. We had to stop at Star Wars for some photos. It was a great time to be there with almost no lines.
Tuesday morning was Animal Kingdom.
The Safari ride. Really cool and the White Rhino came right up to our truck.
Madison found the drums and went to town.
Flik from Bug's Life.
The Nemo musical. Very well done. Madison wanted to stay for the next show and didn't understand we had to leave.
A break before lunch.
Lunch with the crew next to Everest.
After lunch we headed to Dino-Land. We had to ride the Triceratops ride (exactly like Dumbo with dinosaurs). Then Maddie rode again with G&G. After that we headed to the Boneyard playground area which M didn't want to leave.
For dinner that might we had dinner at Chef Mickey's. We got to see Mickey, Pluto, Minnie, Donald and Goofy again.
Plus great desserts.
Madison finally got the balloon she had been wanting all week.
Wednesday morning was breakfast with the princesses in Norway (Epcot). We had posed pictures with Belle as we got there and then the other princesses visited our table. It was a really good breakfast too!
Back at the hotel that afternoon, we went down to the viewing area to see the animals. There were zebras and about 6 giraffes that walked by while we were down there.
We had dinner at our hotel at Boma, awesome food including African inspired dishes. That night AK was open late, so we headed back for a few things we missed, including the Lion King Festival. Another one Maddie didn't understand why we couldn't stay for more. Then we played on the playground some more, rode the dinosaur again and said hi to Safari Mickey and Minnie.
This is Mickey laughing after Madison showed him her Mickey sticker.
Thursday morning we had a laid back morning at the hotel. We tried a little swimming, but it was a little cold. We did an early nap and then headed to Magic for the parade. When we got there we rode the Walt Disney Railroad to Frontierland.
Where we happened to find Woody and Jessie. Madison really likes Woody, but she LOVES Jessie. And we were the last ones to see them before they had to leave for the parade. We messed around some more and then took the monorail to Epcot for dinner at Italy. Really good!
Friday morning we headed back to Magic for a few more rides and Grandma met us there. More Dumbo.
And Cinderella's Carousel.
Minnie's house.
Madison's first roller coaster!
Maddie really really wanted to ride the cars. So Grandma and I went in the car in front so we could get some pics of her with Dad. She loved going fast she said (it wasn't fast...).
Our last night was in Epcot and dinner at Canada. Sounds weird, but a really good steakhouse. We also did our last night shopping spree. We did pretty good about waiting until the end to buy anything so we'd know what we really wanted.
Madison's set up on the plane. She did great about staying in her chair and watching her movies. She also has her new Minnie shirt that we had to buy for her at the airport because she spilled my starbucks all over her shirt.
Several times since we have been back Madison has wanted to to a toast to Disney World at dinner. She will raise her glass and say "To Disney World" and we have to clink glasses. I guess we did that a couple times when we were there. She has also asked when we are going back....