We joked about going to Disney world early this year. We became more serious in the summer, and actually researched some package deals, realized Corbin is still free at the age of 2 and is not required a dining plan! We were hooked ;) When Corbin was about 4 months old, on one of the delirious sleepless nights of being in the recliner, I signed up for a credit card. Shocker, being as we're anti-credit cards! BUT it's one where you earn points to Disney and get huge discounts! So we had quite a bit taken off the total trip thanks to free points, and gift cards we'd bought throughout the year (they never expire, and if you have a "Disney Gift Card" you can't really go pull it out and spend it like you could if you had "$50" in cash.
When we went: October 25-October 30th. We wanted to return home before Halloween to enjoy Corbin's first year of Trick-Or-Treating. We still didn't time this whole thing well. We had his Mickey Birthday party on the 24th at our home, (previous blog). And as stated in the previous blog...it rained, and rained...about 5" that day at our house to be exact! We drove up to Houston that night after a huge Stroller ordeal and stayed at a La Quinta that was near IAH, took their shuttle, paid a whopping $5 for our car per night and away we went on the 25th mid-morning.
The stroller ordeal...you see, we specifically bought a bigger stroller, it's a nice jogging stroller that rolls so smooth, and is very comfortable for Corbin to stretch out in. Well, we rarely use it in the big picture. One, I don't run... Two, we rarely go anywhere that it becomes necessity. We knew though, that the front tire needed air. We just didn't REMEMBER until we're packing a very-fussy-no-nap-had, 2 year old and trying to hit the road. Finally after multiple trips to Wal Mart, we get the tire fixed...we're good to go! Fast forward to the 25th, fly out day! I've never ever checked a stroller, well, we checked it...and when we got it back in Florida it was missing the tray that goes on the front of it! It wasn't on the plane at all. Meaning, someone who loaded it into the cargo, disregarded it and it was in Houston. Since it really held no value (like, $20) and strollers aren't covered under their policy, no one was very eager to help us. AND honestly, I am perfectly okay with them working harder and longer on lost luggage, than this. So, that was the one downfall to our trip. We never checked lost and found once we returned, we wrote it off...the stroller still worked great and probably even better without the tray...all was well!
Note the tray that his cup & breakfast are on...
(Corbin enjoying bfast at IAH before his first plane ride!)
The plane ride: We had a bit of time, but Corbin was SO fascinated with the big planes & trucks on the tarmac that time went by quickly!
He didn't know what to think of being on the plane! He was just excited it had TV and Mickey was on it! (Eventhough we came fully prepared with an ipad & shows!)
Stuck on the tarmac for a little while, they had to unload freight from another plane! Of course, STILL raining!!!
Waiting to take off, keeping themselves occupied
This momma had a bag full of tricks. Coloring pages he'd never seen before, new markers, new stickers, Mickey tape, an ipad with tv shows, enough gummy bears to feed the plane...and this is what he did before we even took off, and stayed this way until we landed in Orlando! Score!
We're here!!! On the Magical Express! If you're going to Disney, staying on property...and flying in...take advantage of the free transportation! Oh, and the luggage tags! (They send you special tags, and you check your luggage before you fly out at the airport, and it will arrive directly to your room!)
Momma's a bad photographer, chopped off the big dog's head in the picture :(
We stayed at the All Star Movies Resort! It was a nice, quiet, and inexpensive! ($98 per night!)
The first day Sunday, the day we arrived... we went to Epcot for a bit and explored...then we ate at the Polynesian resort, our favorite from our honeymoon...OHANA! It's a Polynesian style food, they bring around skewers of steak, chicken, shrimp...you get a platter of dumplings, noodles, and other goodies...and it's all you can eat! Included in our dining plan, so we just had to pay for Corbin's drink & tip! :D
Day 2: Monday! We hit Magic Kingdom! We had a blast on the teacups, goofy's barnstormer roller coaster, Dumbo, and other fun rides!
The classic Teacups selfie
(Flashback to 5 years ago on our honeymoon!!)
Enjoying his yogurt...
Until Minnie Snuck up! The characters were amazing. The staff themselves were amazing! They catered to us, and to Corbin and his likes/dislikes. We told Corbin "cry all you want, Mommy & Daddy are taking pictures with the characters!) Minnie had an idea, she was aggressive and it worked haha!
My all time favorite...Goofy!
Travis likes him too :)
Travis & Corbin as we ended our evening at Magic Kingdom, riding Barnstormer (roller coaster!) for the 2nd time in a row (per Corbin's request!!!)
We watched the parade, it was nice! Corbin loved it.
Mandatory Castle selfie...Corbin would be in it but the little stinker fell asleep waiting on the fireworks! And slept through the entire fireworks show!
One of the ride pictures on Buzz Lightyears ride!
Enjoying the monorail taking us from Chef Mickeys to Magic Kingdom!
Corbin & I on the Barnstormer, this was round 1!
Day 3: We had fun just exploring! We went to Animal Kingdom & Magic Kingdom again & ate at the Coral Reef for dinner! There were scuba divers in the tank and a HUGE turtle keeping us company!
Ready to watch Finding Nemo the play! Corbin fell asleep!
Riding the flying dinosaurs with Daddy
Arcade games...each of us won a prize, Corbin even won one himself!
Day 4 We had a "lazy day". This was the first day it rained on us so we just hung out mostly at our hotel during the day. We started the day at Animal Kingdom with a safari...ok, TWICE! Corbin liked it, and the line was short!
By afternoon all was good, we went to Magic Kingdom and rode the Haunted Mansion....Corbin actually did good!
His favorite was getting to drive the car...
I love my family :)
He picked up a new friend (We've had goofy...)
Day 5: We ended our trip at Hollywood studios! Toy Story Mania!
(Another 5 year flashback!)
Getting ready for the stunt show
Corbin really enjoyed the cars!
Hollywood Studios :)
We took advantage of rider swap and the not so busy lines on our last day...Splash Mountain, after riding 3 time, I finally got some courage!
And obviously Travis lost his lol
And as they say...all good things must come to an end. We had a great vacation. A lot of people told us Corbin wouldn't do good, he wouldn't be able to do anything, he wont remember it...Well, true! He won't remember it. But we have a TON of pictures to show him when he's older. And he keeps a picture of all of the characters beside his bed :)
Ready for the plane ride home
see ya real soon....
