Disney World and Fort Walton Beach!

Saturday, July 9 at 6:10 AM we left for Disney World! It was going to take almost 19 hours to get there in one day and we knew that wasn't going to happen so we planned to stop in Tallahassee, FL and spend the night. That meant for a 14 hour trip, plus we lost an hour just outside Tallahassee. 

Our first stop was QT to get gas and ice. At 6:41AM we were officially on our way!

I packed lots of games and toys to keep Ryleigh occupied during the long car ride.

She started out by playing games on her phone and listening to her iPOD.

Around 8:50 she took her one and only nap for the day!

At 9:25 we made it to Louisiana!

This was her favorite thing to do. Using the water pen to color. I also brought my mom's DVD player and tons of DVDs.

At 12:30 we were crossing the Mississippi River and entering Mississippi! While going over the bridge Daddy was spelling Mississippi and Ryleigh was spelling M-I-C-K-E-Y!

By 3:30 we were in Alabama! 

By this point Ryleigh and both Mommy and Daddy we're ready to be there. This was the first time we put on a DVD. The movie she chose was ... "Toy Story"

Finally at 5:27 we had crossed the Florida border! 

Before the trip when we talked about seeing Mickey we said something along the line of going to Florida to see Mickey. So once we crossed into Florida and we made a big deal about it she thought Mickey was going to be there and kept asking "where's Mickey? I'm ready to see Mickey" Oops! Needless to say the next few hours were looonnngg!

We finally checked into The Holiday Inn Resort and Suite Hotel in Tallahassee around 10:00PM (Florida time) 

The next morning we wanted to get an early start so I got up at 7:00 and we left by 8:00. 

This was too cute I had to take a picture!

Breakfast in bed!

This was the first time we all had stand in a hotel room together. We had a King size bed at this hotel. It was nice and roomy! 

While helping Daddy load the car Ryleigh found a pretty purple flower for Mommy!

We had A LOT of luggage! and there was still more in the car!!

Finally around 2:25 we were seeing signs that pointed towards Disney World! 

Here Daddy rolled down the windows so we could feel the wonderful Disney air!

(Yes by this point we were all about to go INSANE!!)

FINALLY! 

We stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Here are some photos of our room. 

We could look out our balcony and see ANIMALS! Zebras were the most popular ones. We also saw some giraffes, different types of birds.

Daddy was counting the zebras and missed one. Ryleigh said "There's actually 5 zebras."

One was rolling around in the mud, she said "He needs to take a bath!"

While Mommy unpacked and got the room organized Daddy and Ryleigh took a walk around the hotel to stretch their legs and see more animals. You could see different types of animals from all the windows in the hotel.

 

The hotel lobby

That night we had dinner reservations at the Grand Floridan Hotel with Cinderella and Prince Charming!

This particular hotel you had to drive through the gates of Magic Kingdom.

The Grand Floridan Hotel

Seated and super excited to meet Cinderella!

It was a buffet dinner and while eating the characters would come around to all the tables for autographs and pictures. Once she got close to the characters she was scared and not up for photos. Since we had just arrived we hadn't bought her autograph book and didn't get their autographs that night.

Not very interested in Prince Charming

Cinderella

Ugly Step Mother

It was so neat to see them in character!

Cinderella's Evil Step Sisters

Once we were finished with dinner the kids got a cupcake and an autographed placemat. The food was gross and the room smelled but once we were finished Ryleigh said "That was fun!" That's all that matters it that she was having the time of her life!

When the bill came it was over $100! Luckily we had purchased the meal plan that covered the cost.

After dinner we took our first Monorail ride around Magic Kingdom. The Monorail went through the Grand Floridian so we didn't have to go far to get on.

Man playing the piano in the Grand Floridan. 

In all the hotels they were playing old Disney cartoons of Mickey, Donald Duck, etc. Ryleigh enjoyed watching them.

Next we went to Downtown Disney.

This guy was really good playing the sax! 

When we came across the Gold Man he was standing like he is in the left photo. Other people were taking their picture by him and we thought he was a statue. Ryleigh went to stand next to him and he moved! Once she realized he was real she FREAKED OUT! I wish we had it on tape for America's Funniest Videos.

Next we came up to Lego Land. Woody made out of LEGOS!

When we returned to the hotel kids were lining up to play the drums. For the rest of the trip every time we walked by the gift shop she would say "I played the drums there."

With all the excitement of seeing Mickey the next day Ryleigh still had energy once we returned to the room. So Daddy and Ryleigh played on the bed. Later that night we watched "Hop" on Daddy's phone.

The next day before heading to the Magic Kingdom we went back to Downtown Disney to the World of Disney Store. In the store is the Bippidi Bobbidi Boutique. There they dress girls up like the Disney Princesses. One of my very first ASL 2 students, Brytyn, works there. She had the day off but picked up a shift that day just to do Ryleigh's hair!

That morning while getting on the elevator she said "I'm ready to get my hair done!"

Here are some more sculptures made out of legos!

Before they take the girls back they get to pick out which Disney Princess they want to be. Before we got there Ryleigh kept talking about how she was going to be Cinderella, but once we got there she didn't know what she wanted to be. 

Getting her nails painted.

Getting her makeup put on. We got to take home the rest of the make up. She has had a blast playing with. She'll come up to me and say "Please I put my make up on."

First she chose to be Jasmine. Which is funny because I dressed up as Jasmine for Halloween when I was a kid. But it was too big and the material irritated her skin so next she chose Ariel!.

They had her close her eyes and they turned her around to see herself in the mirror for the first time.

She liked wearing the outfit for a whole 5 seconds once she was done. We were supposed to go down to another store and have professional photos taken of her in her outfit. (It was part of the package we chose) but before I could even pay for everything she was taking the top off. She has sensitive skin and the material was bothering her. Needless to say we changed her back into her other clothes for the rest of day. On the plus side we already have her Halloween outfit! 

By 11:00 we had finally reached Magic Kingdom and were already with our wagon. As we're walking up a tram driver sticks is head out and says "They won't let you in with that." That being the wagon. Brandon and I just looked at each other and slowly walked back to the car. Ryleigh was just as upset as we were.

On the tram headed for Magic Kingdom!

Little did we know the parking lot was a mile and a half away so we had to take the Monorail there. We stood in line for 15 minutes and were sweating before reaching Magic Kingdom.

As soon as we reached the castle Mickey was performing on stage. It was so neat for the first time she saw Mickey was up on stage like that. Watching her face and her reaction made me tear up. (I'm very emotional)

Seeing Mickey for the first time!

 After seeing this she called it "Mickey's Castle"

OUr first ride was the tea cups! While waiting in line we could see Winnie the Pooh and Tiger.

Waiting in line...

In the tea cup with Daddy 

and Mommy

Next we rode the new Pooh ride. It was neat how they had fun stuff for the kids to do while waiting in line.

Here is Eeyore's house.

There was a "garden" of carrot drums

and sunflowers made out of bells.

This was a wall that looked like honey pouring down the wall. You could rub your hand over it and wash the honey way to see one of the Pooh characters.

She didn't care too much for it while riding it but once it was over she said she liked it. This was her officially her first roll-a-coaster on a track like this.

Next we waiting in heat for a good 45-50 minutes for Dumbo. This became her favorite ride.

While in line we saw Pinocchio 

Looking at herself in the clown shaped mirrors in the Dumbo ride. It's neat to think those have been there since the ride first opened.

Sitting in our Dumbo all together

Next she wanted to ride the "horses" as she called it. I was surprised she actually got on one because every other time we've ridden a carousel she wants to sit on the bench and not the horses. 

 By this time it was time for the parade!

Before it started the band marched around the parade route. 

Waving to Mickey has he came out for the parade.

During the parade the characters would walk over to her.

Next we finally got our picture taken with Minnie and Mickey Mouse!

She was fine until she got close to them so we had to be in the picture too.

Before heading back to the hotel for dinner we rode the train around the park.

While the train was stopped on the other side of the park we could see Goofy.

She waved to him and yelled "Hi Goofy, Hi Goofy..." over and over.

This is picture of the poster showing the new Fantacyland they're building. It will be ready for summer next year.

We took the faire back to our car.

We were planning to go back to Magic Kingdom that night for the Lights Parade and Fireworks show. But during dinner a big storm came through with lighting so we stayed at the hotel and went to bed early.

The next morning we would see giraffes from our balcony. 

Ready for day at Animal Kingdom and Epcot! 

On the tram at Animal Kingdom

The day before we didn't get a stroller but this day we did! 

First stop "It's Tough Being a Bug" in 3D.

This was Ryleigh's first 3D movie/show

Next we took a safari ride and saw some animals.

Ryleigh had her face painted like Tinkerbelle

We met Minnie again

While waiting for "Nemo - The Musical" we let her play around in Dinoland.

 

They had a ride like Dumbo but it was Dinosaurs.

It was finally time for the show to start! It was really neat! It was like the broadway show of "The Lion King"

After running by the hotel for more waters and changing our clothes we went to Epcot!

On the tram with Daddy

Here they had a room with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck. We needed their autographs so we waited. 

Here Ryleigh is writing/drawing to make the time pass faster.

As we were leaving here it started to rain. So we bought ponchos and kept on truckin! 

Next, we rode the ride in the ball!

Then we rode the Nemo ride.

Then talked with Crush from "Finding Nemo"

The kids were welcome to sit in the front so they could ask Crush questions. She sat there long enough for me to take this picture then came and sat with us.

Next we rode the "Figment" ride. When you come out of the ride there's a large room with games and activities for kids. Luckily we were in here because it started to rain and lighten really bad. 

While waiting for the rain to clear up we went next door and watched "Captan EO in 3D". This was the weirdest show. Ryleigh feel asleep.

When we came out there was a rainbow

The water that jumps!

That night we saw the fireworks show on the water.

Our last day at Disney World we started out at Hollywood studios.

On the tram

The first ride was the new "Toy Story" ride. It was neat how they had the inside decorated. They had everything enlarged to make you feel like a toy in Andy's room.

 We met Sully (aka Kitty) from Monster's Inc.

We saw the same 3D Muppet Show I saw when I was a kid.

Then went into Disney Junior for Mickey's Clubhouse.

When coming out of Disney Junior Live I saw this and remembered having my picture taken here when I came to Disney World as a child.

Last, we went to see "Light's Motors Action" but this point Ryleigh was in need of a nap and was hot. Needless to say she didn't make it through the 45 minute show. 

Since we didn't get to finish Magic Kingdom on the first day we decided to end our Disney trip here.

We we arrived it was almost time for the parade to start. So we decided to watch it again.

Before it started the employees who keep the guests out of the street during the parade were playing jump rope with a few kids. Ryleigh joined in too.

The Parade again!

As Minnie and Mickey came by Ryleigh was screaming their names and waving to them.

As Ariel passed by Ryleigh was screaming her name and waving. She must have heard her because she looked right at Ryleigh and blew her a kiss. The look on Ryleigh's face got me emotional again. It was so special to me that she was having so much fun.

The look on her face when Ariel blew her a kiss and waved to her.

Next we went and met Cinderella, Belle and Princess Aurora.

She was scared at first but once she realized they were nice she warmed up to them.

 "She was nice Mama"

"I gave her a high five!"

 "Mickey's Castle!" 

Fireworks from Mickey's show. Yes we saw it again. This made the 3rd time we watched his show. Loved every minute of it because Ryleigh was.

Daddy and Ryleigh rode the carousel again.

Then we rode "It's a Small World"

Look at all the coins people have thrown into the water!

By this time we were ready for dinner. There was a place at Magic Kingdom that offered a sit down meal. Since we still had two left on our dinning plan and didn't want to waste them we waiting to eat there. Again it was a buffet style dinner. What we didn't know was that Pooh and his friends were there too!

Ryleigh was scared to get close to them so Daddy was great and took his picture with them.

After dinner Daddy and Ryleigh rode Dumbo for the last time. You may be asking who is the girl with them. Well, her mom didn't want to ride and after waiting for 50 minutes we made a new friend and she wasn't allowed to ride by herself. 

Next we heading over to "Tomorrow Land" and rode a Buzz Lightyear ride and went to the "Laugh Floor" with Mike Wazowski from "Monster's Inc."

After that it was time to find a stop to see the Electric Disney Parade to end our day and trip to Disney World. As Mickey came by on his float, Ryleigh waved and screamed "Bye Mickey I had a lot of fun!" Yep, I started crying again. 

By time we got back to the hotel she was asleep! 

"Bye Mickey we had a great time! See ya real soon!"

Chocolate left by the maid as our going away gift. It was yummy Dark Chocolate! 

Thursday morning bright and early we left Orlando, FL for Fort Walton Beach!

10 minutes on the road and already watching Barney

By 2:50 we had reached our destination. Unfortunately we weren't able to check in till 4:00 so we waked the beach.

"The Beach!" 

She was so excited to be there and was ready to get her suit on.

The view from our balcony.

I was glad the hotel had a pool and that it was walking distance to the beach. It was nice. 

Playing basketball with Daddy.

"Making a boat for Sha Sha"

That night we got cleaned up and had dinner at Fudpuckers. 

There was a live band and hula hoops for the kids to play with.

 Ryleigh got a medal from the band for the being the youngest hula hooper that night.

Friday we spent the entire day between the beach and the pool.

Daddy let Mommy read her book on the beach while he and Ryleigh played in the pool. Then Mommy returned the favor when Daddy had had enough of the sun. He went back up to the hotel room while Mommy and Ryleigh practiced swimming in the pool.

She didn't take a nap the entire week because of everything thing that was going on. She fell asleep in the car on the way to dinner and didn't wake up till dinner was served. 

Saturday morning we left Fort Walton Beach around 6:40 AM to head back home to Texas!

It was raining on us when we left the hotel and all the way through Louisiana, but once we got to Texas at 4:30 the rain stopped.

It was so nice to see this sign!

We finally made it home at 7:00. 

This was our first vacation together as a family. I loved being able to share these moments with Ryleigh and see the excitement on her face when she saw Mickey and the Princesses. I can't wait to go again. It's good to be home but I'm also a little sad it's over. Although, spending a week in a hotel room with a two year old was an adventure!