Disney 2011

I couldn't wait to head to Orlando for our first Bender Family Vacation!!  Jackson and I created a countdown two months out, and both of us (and Philip and Wesley too!) were so excited when we tore off ONE more day!!!

I enjoy all parts of Disney - the planning, parks, parades - everything! This was Jackson's (gulp) 4th trip and Philip's first. What a wonderful week filled with memories!  I loved spending a week with my three boys at the Happiest Place on Earth!

Since I knew it would take awhile to find time to blog about our travel, I took some time on the car ride how to ask each of us a few questions and record some thoughts from the week. (Since it is now November and I am just getting to this post, I guess I was right!)

Wesley
Favorite:
Park: Magic Kingdom
Ride: It's a Small World because it was amazing to see how much Jackson took in from each room. As we were riding through the last room, he said, "look there's another balloon just like in the first room!"
Show: Nemo
Character: Mickey from the Garden Grille
Dining Experience: Breakfast at O'Hana

Favorite part of:
The hotel: Bike Rides
Magic Kingdom: Philip's haircut and watching the parade from right outside the Barber Shop
Epcot: Figment ride
Animal Kingdom: Running halfway around the park to get a jalapeno and cheddar stuffed pretzel to eat during Lion King just to be told "No Food or Drink allowed in the theater"
Hollywood Studios: Disney Junior because it was fun seeing all the kids and parents sing the theme songs for each show!

Leanne

Favorite:

Park: Magic Kingdom

Ride: The race cars

Show: Lion King and Beauty & the Beast

Character: Pluto

Dining Experience: Garden Grille

Favorite part of:

The hotel: Bike Rides

Magic Kingdom: Philip's haircut 

Epcot: Carrying Jackson around on my shoulders

Animal Kingdom: The Safari

Hollywood Studios: We had a run of bad luck at Hollywood Studios and commented that we were losing the "Disney Magic"

Jackson

Favorite: 

Park: Epcot because "the monorail tracks was there"

Ride: Monorail

Show: Nemo

Character: Pluto

Dining Experience: The Circle Go Around restaurant (aka Garden Grille) because it was turning in circles (it was a rotating restaurant).

Favorite part of:

The hotel: Playing with my new toys

Magic Kingdom: People Mover 

Epcot: Hearing the music

Animal Kingdom: Parking Tram

Hollywood Studios:  "I don't like any of that. I just like it when they sing songs (aka American Idol)

Some other thoughts:

• Philip's favorite part of the week was learning the word "Bus" and saying it...no screaming it..every time we saw one of the hundreds of Disney Buses! 
• Philip also learned to wave and loved waving at everything though out the days!
• We actually got to sleep until 9:00 one morning!
• There were these weird bugs all over the Campground, and I believe it was mating season. Try explaining that one to a 4-year old!
• The Vacation Club overview - we were told there was childcare available so we signed up to learn about "The Best Kept Disney Secret" When we arrived, we were told Jackson could stay in the Play Center, but Philip was too young.  That automatically counted us out of any potential Disney Vacation Club sale! It was quite an experience trying to learn about the program while entertaining a toddler. They should rethink that rule! 
• All Jackson wanted to eat at Play-N-Dine was a Mickey Waffle and Wesley was given the responsibility of asking the waiter for one and requesting from the not-so-pleased chef, some syrup!