Magical Memories Part 1

I have always heard about the "Magic" of Disney and wondered exactly what is so magical about it....
I know, I know....Disney movies are awesome so entering a world of Disney would be just as awesome and magical, but I just wondered if I would feel the magic myself.

Once there, I have to admit I originally thought......ok not feeling it....whats all the hype?! But as the week progressed and we saw more and more it hit me like a ton of bricks. Much like all these pictures I am about to bombard you with! Be prepared....

To start, Garyn had no clue we were going. Surprises in them self are magical, don't you think? We had so much fun pulling the wool over his eyes and keeping this secret. From occupying him with Wii while we packed and planning a covert mission to leave at 2 am, we completely confused the poor boy. Unpurposefully, the selling of our house factored in to his confusion. He asked in a sleepily stupor twice on the way there if we were going to our new house. It was quite hilarious! So yes the magical week started off with a surprise. Just before there, we pointed out the Disney World sign to him. He basically said, "Ahhhh, Are we going to Disney World?!" and smiled really big. His excitement didn't really begin until we got there. Here he is in the hotel lobby with his "1st visit" pin......

We quickly unloaded the car and boarded a shuttle to the Magic Kingdom.

Just inside the park, it began to rain aaannnddd we remembered that we never stopped for ponchos. So $25 later we were walking around with freshly wet Disney ponchos and an umbrella....see how I wondered where the magic was?! But not much later, simply sitting in a tea cup surrounded by my most precious loved ones spinning in circles without any other care in the world, the magic sunk in.....

This picture is one of my most favorites and makes me laugh and smile from ear to ear..

Seeing these eye light up on the Buzz Lightyear ride we rode next sprinkled more magic on our day, as well.....

Next was his excitement to race.......

And Ansley's excitement to be free or so she thought......

We also had some laughs at the Monsters, Inc. laughing floor show.
Then as we took in the views and vastness of the park on our leisure train ride, I really started feeling high on the magic of Disney.....

Waiting on the train

And that was just Day One!

Day Two started bright and early at Mickey's breakfast where Tyler signed away half his life to pay (hahaha) and that didn't even kill the magic! It was a yummy breakfast and the characters come to your table for pictures. No waiting in lines to see them! Garyn was apprehensive at first but warmed up while Ansley slowly started to shy away not being so sure about those over sized animals!

Ansley wasn't so sure about Goofy; Garyn was sure he was not getting his pic made

Cautiously posing with Mickey.....

The tables turned a little here; Garyn was warming up and Ansley didn't want to be near Donald...

All smiles for Minnie!

Pluto even got a hug!

Next was Hollywood Studios plus rain again.  Although, it rained, we still trudged through and got to do a lot. That's part of being at Disney, you can't let rain stop you! By this time, we had a system to keep us all dry. Highlights of this day were the Muppet's 3D, the Indiana Jones, and the Disney Jr. shows with the parade in the middle of all that...

We discovered that the breakfast truly was worth it because Garyn refused to meet the characters in the park for pictures. His Halloween fears are still present but are thankfully subdued and he never cried about the characters being near. Ansley and I took up the slack some for him and met some of our favorites.....

Tyler and I got to ride the rockin roller coaster which made me feel like we were in high school again as I gripped his arm and screamed most of the way! Its the little things in life, you know? We were able to ride since one of his past students had meet up with us and offered to stand with the kids.

After leaving that ride and getting soaking wet in a down pour without our ponchos, we found shelter and ate a Pizza Planet that makes you feel like you are inside the Toy Story movie :)

Garyn loves arcades!

And as if that wasn't a long enough day! We went to the Fantasmic light show that was so worth it! Talk about magical......

It is a beautiful yet dramatic show involving water and lights and lots of characters. Ansley didn't quite make it through the entire show. Garyn was also pretty tired since our day started at 7 am!

Violet was still quite chirpy, though, and even hung onto her hair bow! (Violet, BTW is Ansley new best friend :)

As we hit the sacks and my mind whirled with plans for the next day, I realized the magic was made up of the Disney characters and scenes coming to life right before our eyes but also a lot of just shear happiness to be together and see each other's joy in the small details. Add in a big dose of complete letting-go and you got yourself some magical memories!

Stay tuned for Days 3, 4 and 5!