The Johnston Family: September 2011

We have wanted to go on a family vacation for a while now. This year the stars alined and our patience paid off. We went to Walt Disney World! Landry was so excited and looking forward to seeing the castle she sees at the beginning of every Disney movie. She couldn't wait to meet the princesses. We couldn't wait to take her!

Wednesday Morning: leave for Disney

Landry is packed and ready to get on the plane.

We made it to the airport with time to spare. Security was a breeze. Mickey sent a plane to get us.

While the plane was prepared we had some breakfast. Landry watched some Shera while enjoying her pink sprinkle donut.

Hello Orlando. Mickey, here we come!

The pilot and co-pilot that flew us safely to Disney. Thank you.

We hadn't gone far in the airport before seeing our first Mickey. When we arrived to the hotel (checking in 3 hours early was no problem) it was as though someone poured Disney over everything. Landry loved it. We thought it was pretty cool too.

Towel Mickey.

We stayed at the Disney All Stars Movie resort, particularly in the Toy Story wing.

Walking to our wing was like walking into Andy's room. The sign on the door says: Andy's room Keep Out.

Inside "Andy's room". The elevators are behind Woody in the book shelf.

That's a big Buzz.

We felt like little toys ourselves given the scale.

Wednesday Evening

We knew we wanted to see the night show, Fantasmic, at MGM. We got there in time to do some other things too. We shrank ourselves and ended up in a backyard. Landry and Brad took a rest amongst some mushrooms.

Landry found a friendly ant to ride...

and a leaf so she could slide. It was fun being so small. Once we were back to our right size we headed to...

a Toy Story ride. It was the only ride we had to wait more than 10 or so minutes to get on. We had been waiting about 35 minutes when this photo with Mr. Potato Head was taken. Landry was kind of ready to be on the ride. She was a great sport about being patient. The ride was worth the wait.

Fantasmic

Fantasmic is a great night show! It has so many characters, water, lights and lasers. It's one of our favorites.

Ariel and Eric

Snow White and her Prince

Mickey being brave and not letting the snake scare him.

This was really cool: the water caught on fire.

Most all of the characters that were in the show.

Mickey got his powers back from the villians!

Landry thoroughly enjoyed the show.

She wanted a pink hat like Mickey's. Our first day of vacation was perfect.

Thursday morning

As we passed the sign, our excitement grew. We had a big day awaiting us.

Landry wanted to meet characters, especially the princesses, maybe more than she wanted to ride rides. Characters were out right when we got into the park. Landry chose Daisy. She had her book ready for signatures.

She enjoyed taking pictures with characters too.

Walking down Main Street there are all kinds of shops. This one caught Landry's eye. Wonder why...We found out there was an ABC princess meet and greet. It was Aurora, Belle and Cinderella all in one room!

We waited in line about 10 minutes. For Landry, meeting the princesses was like meeting a celebrity. Cinderella was very sweet.

Landry asked Belle if she would make sure and tell Beast she said hello and he needed remember his manners.

Aurora admired Landry's dress. She noticed how she was on Landry's t-shirt underneath the dress and liked that too.

Onward to the castle!

We had breakfast with the princesses in the castle at Cinderella's Royal Table.

A castle must have guards.

We had a very yummy breakfast.

Landry enjoyed being inside of the castle. We thought it was pretty neat too.

Then the princesses came! Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Ariel and Belle came to each table talked, took pictures and signed autographs.

A perfect princess pose.

Snow White telling Landry "It was lovely to meet you."

Sleeping Beauty making sure Landry was having a good time.

The princess pose strikes again with Sleeping Beauty...

and again with Ariel.

Landry asked Ariel about Sebastian.

She also told Ariel about practicing swimming under water and holding her breath like a mermaid.

Ariel said "I'm glad you like the water. I love the water."

Along came Belle. Landry decided this was Belle before she broke Beast's spell.

The windows were pretty.

Landry was having a good time.

The first picture with Belle turned out too dark. I asked to take another with her just in case I couldn't lighten the other. Landry thought we were interrupting.

They tried to pull the sword out of the stone. It wouldn't budge.

Prince Phillip's horse.

Of course we rode the ever thrilling Dumbos.

We rode another Disney classic: It's a Small World. I'm pretty sure it hasn't changed since it opened.

Landry took her dress off and wanted her hat to protect her face from the sun.

She was happy to see Alice and the White Rabbit. They were happy to see her as well.

I went with Landry to Alice while Brad held a spot to meet Tigger and Pooh. Landry wasn't afraid of the characters at all.

She gave everyone a hug.

The three amigos.

Landry asked the Fairy Godmother to say bibbity bobbity boo. They said it together.

Before we knew it, it was afternoon and we hadn't eaten any lunch. It's not vacation without ice cream for lunch.

Landry, do you like having ice cream for lunch?

On to the afternoon parade!

Stitch, Woody and Jessie were in the parade.

Mickey and Minnie,

Pinocchio and Jimney Cricket,

Snow White and Dopey,

Aladdin,

and Captain Hook.

While giving Captain Hook a high-five Landry told him to be nice.

Peter Pan, Alice, the Mad Hatter,

Cinderella and Prince Charming,

Prince Eric,

Beast,

Ariel,

Princess Tiana and Naveen. Speaking of Tiana...

we hadn't met her yet. She went to her gazebo after the parade. Landry asked her if she knew Grandma and Grandpa. Afterall, they all live in New Orleans.

Landry and Tiana also talked about gumbo and beignets. Princess Tiana was so very nice. It must've been her southern hospitality.

We planned on leaving the park after Princess Tiana.

But...

We had to meet the mouse himself! We heard Mickey and Minnie were in the theatre in Town Square which was on the way out.

Mickey twirling Landry around while Minnie autographed Landry's book.

Mickey signed too.

Meeting Mickey and Minnie was a special treat.

Thursday evening

Upon seeing the pool when we checked in Wednesday Landry said she would like to swim sometime. Thursday evening was the perfect time. We had pizza in the room for supper then went down the the Fantasia pool to relax. It was so nice not worrying about sunscreen or getting burned.

Landry asked Brad to dance with her like Dancing with the Stars.

Spashing and relaxing.

Landry has been wanting some goggles and a snorkel. She picked both out especially for vacation.

She knows how to use them too.

Friday morning

At a comfortable early we headed to see the animals.

On our way to the Lion King show we happen to see Pocahontas. Landry was so excited to see her!

Landry and Pocahontas

We saw Mickey and Goofy fishing. Landry said they were catching fish for lunch.

One of the people in the Lion King show. It felt a little like we were in Africa.

Timon

Pumba

Colorful stilt walkers. See what I mean about feeling like Africa?

We walked out of the show to discover more characters! Landry wanted to meet Donald first.

They're buddies.

Hey, look at that, a family picture.

Another family picture with Goofy. The characters were really fun. On to the Kilimanjaro Safari!

We were able to see quite a few animals; the weather was awesome so they were out. Landry told us how the birds were cleaning the rhino and it was symbiotic. (Thanks Wild Kratts)

Crocs.

We were riding in a big, bumpy safair bus so I wasn't able to get great pics of every single animal. I was able to get some pretty clear, close pictures though.

Wildebeest

(googled the spelling, looks funny to me).

I forgot the name of these animals. Brad claims these are African Longhorns.

They immediately made me think of the movie Legend.

This giraffe was right by the road eating his breakfast.

We were on the very back row of the bus. It allowed me to turn around and get more pictures.

...and this is why giraffes have such long necks. They were so pretty.

The wildest life on the whole safari.

The mighty elephant.

Flamingos! I'm not sure if you can tell in this picture but there were some baby flamingos. The babies are gray because the haven't eaten enough shrimp yet to get their corally color.

A better picture of another rhino.

Then we got to see a lion!

I thought about whether he had already eaten his breakfast...because he was pretty close.

An ostrich. We saw some ostrich eggs too. They're the size of softballs!.

Scimitar-horned Oryx.

Another family photo.

This was taken right before I ran from one corner of the park to the other for a free $200 Disney gift card.

Waiting to go into A Bug's Life.

Us in front of the Tree of Life.

Headed to Rainforest Cafe for lunch. Thank you Disney for the gc.

Landry had to run under the water. She ran so fast she didn't get wet.

After a yummy lunch we headed back to the hotel to rest and relax.

We were all ready for a nap.

Friday night: Disney

Landry really, really wanted to meet Rapunzel. So Brad and I took turns waiting in line to make sure she did. Landry colored patiently while waiting.

It's Landry's turn to meet Rapunzel! They're talking about hair and Flynne Ryder.

Cute picture. Landry's shoes match Rapunzel's dress.

Landry listened to everything Rapunzel told her.

Memories in the making.

Talking about fairy stuff.

Landry and Rosetta

Landry showing Tinkerbell her baby wrapped in a leaf.

Tinkerbell even gave Landry some pixie dust.

Tinkerbell and her mini me.

Taking a ride on Aladdin's magic carpets.

It was fun seeing the characters all lit up. Given that I was sitting on the ground with people in front of me I wasn't able to get any good pictures. Thank goodness the fireworks were in the sky.