Our 2016 Disney World Trip

At the beginning of November, Curt attended a radiology conference at Walt Disney World. The boys had a short school week during the week of the conference, so we all tagged along. Our last visit was in 2014. We couldn't wait to return. WDW is one of our favorite places!

DAY 1 - TRAVEL/MAGIC KINGDOM

We left very early on Saturday morning to catch our flight to Orlando. 

Very concerned Jovie and Rey...They were well taken care of by Nana, Papa, and Sophia.  

After checking into Yacht Club, we took the bus to Magic Kingdom.

We took a break from rides to attend the Cubs' World Series Champions' parade. Ben Zobrist, Addison Russell, and Javier Baez paraded through Magic Kingdom with Mickey and Goofy. It is no secret that we are Cardinals fans, but we decided to join the celebration for the parade.

HUGE crowd for this parade! 

Back to rides...Our first day was a Saturday, so we had to do some waiting for rides without fast passes.

Waiting for It's a Small World

It's a Small World selfie

Kieran did not like Seven Dwarfs' Mine Train this time. The rest of us love it! I promise I do even though I look terrified in the photos. 

Seven Dwarfs' Mine Train--Curt is in the middle with a Captain America shirt. Caden and Cole are behind him. Kieran and I are behind the boys. 

The ride candids are so funny. 

Behind the castle

The boys convinced me to go on Space Mountain. Since Kieran hasn't been tall enough until this visit, I have avoided this ride since I was a child. I survived. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I always put my head down on rollercoasters even if I like the ride.  

Curt held onto Kieran, just in case. This was another one-and-done experience for Kieran. 

DAY 2 - HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS/YACHT CLUB

We took the boat from Yacht Club to Hollywood Studios on Sunday morning. 

March of the First Order

Kieran during the Alien part of The Great Movie Ride

One of our favorite rides at Hollywood Studios is Toy Story Mania! We were lucky to ride it three times with fast passes during this trip.

Caden on his own for this turn

Cole competed against me. 

The Star Wars Launch Bay was new since our last visit.

Stormtroopers supervised the crowd. 

We met Kylo Ren. 

Curt and Caden were the only ones willing to ride Tower of Terror. Cole rode it two years ago and would not ride again. Kieran refused to give it a try. I was okay with taking a pass on the ride too.

Caden and Curt are in the back row on the left. 

After eating lunch at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater and doing all we wanted to at Hollywood Studios, we went back to the resort to swim.

Lounging in the hot tub

We LOVE the pool area at Yacht and Beach Club! Happy we built in some extra time for relaxation and resort fun!

Sand + my boys = extended period of cooperation and happiness

After dinner, we played games in the resort's arcade.

DAY 3 - MAGIC KINGDOM

Jungle Cruise

I happily watched while the boys spun on Mad Tea Party.

Lunch at Be Our Guest

The sun was blinding the boys outside of Beast's castle. 

Waiting in line for Haunted Mansion

Kieran used the fountains in the Haunted Mansion line to try out different hairstyles. 

Always have to ride Dumbo.

Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin

Seven Dwarfs' Mine Train (without Kieran)

After a full day at Magic Kingdom, we stuffed ourselves at Cape May Cafe's seafood buffet. 

DAY 4 - ANIMAL KINGDOM/DISNEY SPRINGS

It was Election Day, but we were happily distracted with all things Disney! 

Kilimanjaro Safari

We saw lots of animals. Here are just a couple photos.

Elephant and baobab tree

Zebras right next to the jeep

Waiting outside It's Tough to be a Bug!

Primeval Whirl--Kieran was bummed that he wasn't tall enough to ride. 

Curt, Cole, and Caden on Expedition Everest

We hadn't visited Animal Kingdom since 2012. Yak & Yeti for lunch was very tasty. We saw Finding Nemo-The Musical for the first time.  

A game of Rock, Paper, Scissors on the bus

We visited Disney Springs for the first time since 2008 when it was called Downtown Disney. It has changed A LOT with more shops and restaurants. The Lego Store is always a hit.

We finished the night by seeing Doctor Strange at the theater.

DAY 5 - HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

We spent another fun full day at Hollywood Studios. Unfortunately, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster was still closed, so the boys did not get to ride it this trip. We fit in the rest of our favorites though.  

Cole was solo this time. 

Kieran and me

We were front row for Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away. It was great to see so many Star Wars characters at once. 

Kieran checking out the plans for Toy Story Land...Looks very fun! I'm sure we'll be back. 

The boys participated in a Doctor Strange experience. We thought it was just going to be photos and autographs, but it ended up being an interactive show.

Keeping an eye on Cole

Meditating

Cole was picked to assist with a magic trick.

Now keeping an eye on Kieran

Curt and I were laughing so hard during this photo session. Kieran is so shy. Doctor Strange had asked other participants before Kieran what their favorite spell was. When it was Kieran's turn, Doctor Strange asked his name instead, but Kieran replied with a spell. Doctor Strange thought "Winds of Watoomb" was a strange name. Here, Kieran is concentrating very hard on trying to imitate the hand movements.  

Curt and Caden were able to ride Tower of Terror again. They are in the middle on the left, both in red. 

Traditional speeder bike photos

Last time on Toy Story Mania! for this trip

Saying good-bye for now to Hollywood Studios

Seems strange without the sorcerer's hat in the background.

DAY 6 - EPCOT/MAGIC KINGDOM

We walked over to Epcot and rode my favorite ride, Soarin. It has changed since our last visit. Now, you hang glide over the world instead of just over California. Loved it!

After eating Mexican food for lunch at San Angel Inn, we took the Gran Fiesta Tour starring The Three Caballeros for the first time.  

Photo opp with Donald Duck

A little Disney magic in this photo

The sun was shining directly in our eyes for this photo. 

After a little down time at the resort, we went to Magic Kingdom for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party--special Christmas shows, a Christmas parade, Christmasy snack stations, fireworks, snow on Main Street, and shorter ride lines. 

Attempting to take a selfie with Cole, but he wouldn't take his eyes off the road. That gives me a little hope for when he turns 16.   

Finally when we were parked at the end!

Caden was behind us. Curt and Kieran were behind Caden. 

Kieran and I on Tomorrowland's PeopleMover while the other three were on Space Mountain

We watched a Christmas show starring Buzz Lightyear, Mike Wozowski, and Stitch.

Space Mountain fans

Another turn on Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin

We had front row seats for the Christmas parade. I did not get the best photos from my spot on the ground. It is such a fun parade--great floats and lots of characters. The parade even smells like Christmas! There are scents of cookies, peppermint, and other Christmasy smells coming from under the floats.

Wendy, Peter Pan, Pluto

Mickey & Minnie

Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope

Woody

Curt and Caden (front row) were the only two brave enough to get wet on Splash Mountain. 

WDW puts on the most fantastic fireworks displays. 

In front of the icy castle

We stayed until the party ended at midnight. It was a long day and late night, but so worth it!

Saying good-bye for now to Magic Kingdom

Now, we are in the Christmas spirit!

DAY 7 - BOARDWALK/TRAVEL

On our last morning, we walked over to Boardwalk and ate breakfast, shopped, and enjoyed the nice weather.  

Cole asked for a photo with Yacht and Beach Club in the background.

Such a fun vacation with my boys! We love WDW and always find it hard to leave!

We braved a bike ride two times around the Boardwalk/Yacht and Beach Club loop. The hills with all the extra weight are NOT easy. 

The boys having fun in the photo booth. Caden was the only one who knew where to look for every photo. Must be all that selfie practice.

Fourth time is a charm!

Sugaring up a little bit more before catching the Magical Express

We flew home on a Friday, which gave us the weekend to recover from Disney magic. Jovie and Rey were happy to see us. Rey pouted a bit, but she came around.

Jovie lounged in the luggage, making certain we stayed home. Too much laundry to go anywhere!

Always a fantastic time! Always ready to go back!