the Mickey-est surprise ever
Hi friends! How are you? I hope you enjoyed the long holiday weekend. We took advantage of the Pilot being off work, and everyone feeling better – everyone in our house except yours truly was hit with the 24-hr stomach bug early last week- and took a trip to Orlando. I LOVE that it’s so close to us and we’re able to get away for little trips. Orlando has so many amazing spots and I’m definitely looking forward to some quality time there over the next couple of years. 😉 If anything new has opened up that we have to check out, please let me know!
We woke the girls up at 6am on Saturday morning to get into the car for our little adventure. We’d already packed up and loaded the car Friday night -we are definitely doing it this way whenever possible for now on- and all we had to do was wake up the girls and buckle them up in their jammies. When we told them we were headed to Orlando, they both started clapping and cheering. I knew they’d be excited, but the reaction was 100x better than I was expected.
As you guys know, I’m a serious packing procrastinator. I tend to wait until the last minute, and the girls are usually climbing around me asking for snacks while I pack, and we ended up forgetting things. It’s kind of a mess. Packing Friday night was CLUTCH. We were ready so much faster! Since I’d already booked the hotel, dining reservations, and Fast Passes online, the rest of the trip was pure enjoyment. We got into town, headed to the hotel to drop off our luggage, and were on the boat headed to Epcot before 11am. WHAT.
We rode the Finding Nemo ride and headed to lunch at Akershus, in Norway. When I was researching for our last trip to Orlando, Akershus had the best reviews and seemed to be the fan favorite for character dining. Reservations were totally booked for last time, so I was pumped to snag a noon spot for lunch on our recent trip.
The meal includes interactions with five princesses, plus a photo op with a princess at the entrance. The girls were in heaven.
The Pilot and I were pretty stoked, too. They had an awesome cocktail and wine menu, and the food was amazing.
(The only time P will let you hold her like a baby: when you’re eating through naptime)
The meal started off with appetizers: cheese, meats, fruit, salad, smoked fish, shrimp, roasted veggies, and bread.
And for my entree, I chose the salmon, which came with fluffy mashed potatoes and roasted broccolini. It was perfect.
For dessert, they brought out a tray of delicious options: chocolate mousse, apple cake, and a traditional Norwegian rice pudding. The ride pudding was our fave.
While we were eating, Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel, and Sleeping Beauty all came over to say hello and take photos. The highlight of the meal was when the princesses led the children around the room in a Princess Procession. It was pretty much the cutest thing ever. We will definitely be back.
After lunch, P crashed out in the stroller, so the Pilot hung out with her while Livi and I went to Turtle Talk with Crush, and then we all went to meet Mickey, Pluto, Goofy, and Minnie.
We rode a couple more rides (<– the new Frozen ride is amazing), watched (and danced to) the mariachis,
and ate shaved ice from Japan. (If you go to Epcot, this is my absolute favorite thing there. Get the melon flavor! It was just as wonderful as I remembered.)
Food & Wine Festival is going on right now, but we didn’t end up taking advantage of all of the booths since we were so full from lunch. We’ll definitely be back before it’s over, fully prepared with empty stomachs. 😉
By early evening I was pretty tired -it was definitely the most walking I’d done since my surgery– so we headed back to the hotel for a quick dinner before bed.
Sunday morning, we slept in (YES) and got brunch at the hotel before heading out for the day. They had PALEO CEREAL on the menu. Disney is a magical place, indeed.
They had fresh green juice, eggs, pastries, oatmeal, omelets, waffles, pancakes, potatoes, bacon… something for everyone in the fam. We looooove a good breakfast buffet.
We had a great day together, and then headed out for an early dinner at T-Rex before hitting the road back to Valdosta.
This is where I talk about the fact that I’m afraid of dinosaurs. It’s probably not the most common fear, but it’s akin to how some people are afraid of clowns. Imagine if you’re afraid of clowns, and you’re in a giant restaurant of ANIMATRONIC CLOWNS.
The girls loved it, and it was actually a really cool place. The food was surprisingly good, too. I got the Omnivore salad with grilled chicken, goat cheese, pecans, dried cranberries, and balsamic dressing.
+ a prickly pear margarita
And we shared the crazy chocolate dessert with dry ice in the center, because that’s what you have to do in a place like this.
Now we’re back in V-town, and enjoying the rest of our long weekend since the Pilot is off work for one more day. 😉
How was your weekend? What was the highlight?
Any random phobias?
Have a happy Tuesday and I’ll see ya soon.
xoxo
Gina
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My husband’s best friend lives in Orlando, so we visit semi-regularly. The last time we were there, we tried an AMAZING Venezuelan restaurant in a strip mall near Disney World — Q’Kenan. (A friend had recommended it and I’d bookmarked it for later). We will be going back next time we’re in town.
i’ll look for that next time! thank you 🙂
I haven’t been to Disney as a kid but am so excited to one day take my own! Spent the weekend at a wedding and absorbing as much summer air as I could! Have an awesome week Gina!
that sounds perfect! hope you have a great week, too!
I love Disney and can’t wait to go with my family in a few months! A surprise trip sounds like so much fun. I’ve never tried that shaved ice, but will look for it when we go!
yesssss! it’s the best
SAME! I always say I have an irrational fear of dinosaurs. 🙂 I would not recommend the Jurrasic Park ride at Universal Orlando…a couple of friends talked me into it and I am forever traumatized!
you would never get me on that ride. i’ve watched the youtube video and it’s terrifying haha
Need to get to Epcot! And, paleo cereal? Wow! Got to be sure to stay at that hotel…which one was it?
it was the dolphin. i was super impressed by their breakfast selection 🙂
Thanks for sharing 😀 Good to know for when we head down!
We have not taken the kids to Disney land or world yet, but I am dying to take them to Disneyland soon. Looks like a great weekend getaway.
it’s so so much fun! hope you enjoyed the long weekend 🙂
OMG they are growing like weeds!!!! Now I want to go back to Disney Land !
it’s the best 🙂
Looks like a fun trip.
Gina, you look great. 🙂
thank you so much <3 hope you enjoyed the weekend!
I can’t believe how big the girls are getting. Must be fun seeing their reactions as they’re older!
yes! they’re amazing!
Your adventures to Disney sound so fun! I have serious envy but we’ll get there some day I’m sure. I am so afraid all jumpy hoppy flying type of insects, and slimy frogs, etc. Should be fun raising two boys over the next few years!
hahah oh man!
Gina–I’m planning to take my twin boys for their first Disney visit when they turn 5 in a couple of months. Just wondering if you would recommend taking the stroller for kids that age. It sounds ridiculous since they haven’t used it in years, but several moms have told me that I will regret not taking it. Does Livi ever ride in the stroller at Disney, or do you just take single for P? Thanks in advance for any advice you have! 🙂
yes! she rides in the front part of the bob (the little triangle). she doesn’t ride in it the whole time, but it’s clutch at the end of the day when she’s tired from walking, or when we want to get from one place to another very quickly. in disney, you see a LOT of *older* kids in strollers because it’s so, so much walking. i would definitely bring it and use it to get from one ride or event to the next, park it, and then the kiddos can stand and walk around in that area or while you wait in line
have so much fun!
Looks like SO much fun! I am 25 and I still love Disney World! 😀
same! i’ve always loved it, and it just gets better with time 😉
Ummm…when did P turn into a big girl?! She’s getting so big and really is looking more like Tom. I remember when Livi was a tiny tot…I’m suddenly feeling old! hahaha!
I love the Dole Whip at Disney…it’s my fave thing to have there…looks like you had a lovely weekend!
I love that you surprised them. We can’t wait to do that with our baby. She’s going to be 10 months old for her first trip to Disney world. Did you take either of the girls when they were that young? I’m wondering if it will be either awesome or a huge mistake