Day 6: Logan's Day!

On Thursday, we had a bit of a day off. We were even able to sleep in a little, which we really needed. I think my kids slept in until around 8:30 or 9, which was much later than the 7:00 am wake up time the rest of the week! My brothers, dad, Darren and Heather and Jay left around 9 to go to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. They had a pass to go to both parks, as well as a Express pass to go to the front of all of the lines so they could fit everything in. I think they had a lot of fun on their day. With the Express pass, I think they thought they would be done really quickly, but it ended up being more stress and stuff to do than they planned, and they had more of a full day than they expected. They loved all the cool rides there, especially the roller coasters, and had a lot of fun despite a few problems. They came home pretty tired! These are a few pics of them at Universal/Islands of Adventure.
This is the crew on one of the rides - I'm not sure which one. They take up the first 2 rows.
All the boys at Islands of Adventure. Jeff, Brad, Dad, Kyle, Dean and Jay with Darren crouching in front. I think Heather is taking the picture...

Brad and Darren at the Universal entrance.

Since the Universal passes were pretty expensive and there wasn't much there for the kiddies, I decided not to go. I was a little bummed to miss out on all the fun rides, but I probably would have gotten sick anyway. My mom and sister Vanessa also stayed with me (my mom hates roller coasters and Vanessa just went to Universal last summer and didn't want to pay to go again), so we planned our own day of fun. I think they would have preferred to chill at the hotel, but I wanted to take the kids to do some fun things since we were missing out on Universal. I decided it would be Logan's Day and we could do whatever he wanted at the Magic Kingdom. Rylee is happy to go along with pretty much whatever, so I figured a day for just Logan would be great for her too. Before we left for the park, I bathed the kids, since we hadn't really had time for that. I also made them pose for these pictures. They are actually the clothes from the previous day, but since we were always in such a hurry in the mornings, I didn't get the pictures I wanted. And I tried at the park, but Rylee kept ripping off either her little 1st time button leaving a hole in her shirt, or her Mickey ears. What can you do? I thought they turned out really cute (at least them together and Logan. Rylee is a little crazy!), even if they were posed after the fact!
Then we decided to ride the Thomas train at the hotel. Logan had seen it a few times during the week and wanted to ride, but we hadn't had time and I kept promising him that we would go. What a fiasco! We had to wait for about 20 minutes for the train to pick us up. After about 3 minutes, the train stopped and I thought about getting off, but decided if we waited for that long, we might as well ride a little longer. Well - It took 45 minutes to get back close to our room! Logan was very bored by then and Rylee was a mess! She was screaming because she wanted to jump off the benches while the train was moving, and being the mean mother that I am, I wouldn't let her! I had to put her in a choke hold while she screamed at the top of her lungs and squirmed to be put down! Logan kept asking when we could off - It was SO fun! We FINALLY made it back and had lunch and then headed for the Magic Kingdom.

We didn't end up getting to the park until about 3 and just missed a major rainstorm. We took the monorail over to the park, as this was Logan's request and it was HIS day. Here are the kids ready to go again! We stopped at the entrance for a couple pictures and then headed for Frontierland. As we headed into the park, a few people kept staring and pointing at Rylee's stroller. I didn't think much of it - Rylee gets attention a lot at places like that - but when we stopped I found out why. She was totally passed out in her stroller with her binky half hanging out of her mouth. It was pretty humorous! The main reason we went back to the park was to see the Woody's Roundup show. I wasn't really sure what it was, but I knew Logan would like anything to do with Woody. Here are the kiddies waiting for the parade!It was really cute - It was a little parade with Woody, Jessie and Bullseye and some other cowboys and cowgirls. Then they stopped and let the kids join in for some cowboy singing and dancing, like "She'll be Coming around the Mountain" and the "Hokey-Pokey". Logan had a great time dancing and playing and even managed to sneak his way right up to Woody, which I don't think he was supposed to do! There were lots of cowboys around Woody who kept trying to redirect Logan, but he just maneuvered his way through and made his way to Woody. Woody almost stepped right on him - I don't think he can see out of that suit, which is probably why they try and keep the kiddies away from him. After the show, we were able to meet Woody and Jessie, which Logan was so excited about. We were right next to Splash Mountain and Logan wanted to tell them both all about Splash Mountain. He is like a mini-tour guide! Rylee managed to sleep through the whole thing.
We finally got Logan away from Woody and Jessie, and asked him what he would like to do next. He wanted to go to Tom Sawyer Island, which is a great little play land for the kids. It was raining a little, so I was kind of nervous to go over there and get soaked, but it didn't rain too hard. Logan and Rylee had such a great time exploring and running all over Tom Sawyer Island. They especially liked the little tree house, the bridges and shooting guns at the Fort. We finally convinced them to leave and headed back over to the Magic Kingdom.
There was a little show featuring Mickey and his friends that we went to next. We had missed it the day before because of rain, so we decided to check it out. The show featured Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy along with the Princesses and characters from Peter Pan. Logan and Rylee really liked it. We also took a few pictures in front of the castle.
At one point, Logan told Grandma that he was "feeling brave and wanted to try the Magic Carpets." We had tried to get Logan to ride these a couple different times since they were so much like Dumbo, which is one of his favorites, but he wouldn't ride them for some reason. So, we headed there next, only to have Logan tell us when we got there that "I just want to check them out. I don't want to ride them right now." After we "checked them out" for a few minutes we told Logan he could pick one ride. He picked the rockets, but I told him that they were closed because of the rain. He argued about that for a little bit since he could see them going. I really didn't want to wait 45 minutes for that ride again to ride in the rain and get sick, so I convinced him to choose something else. He chose "It's A Small World". He and Rylee both love that one and had a great time. We tried several times to get a picture of ourselves with all of us in it, and this is the best we did!After that, we did a little shopping and then headed to dinner. We had planned to leave by around 6, but it was almost 8 when we left. After a lot of driving, we finally decided on TGI Friday's for dinner. The wait was pretty long, and the kids were both asleep (it was past 9), so we decided to get take out and go back to the hotel to eat. We got our food much quicker this way, and were putting the kids back in the car and Logan woke up and had a meltdown that we were not eating at a restaurant! (he loves going out to eat!) We finally made it back to the hotel and ate dinner around 9:30 - So much for our plan of a laid back day and early bedtime! We did have a lot of fun though and I think the kids appreciated a day just for them! Thanks Mom and Vanessa for helping me out with the kiddies - We had a fun day!

Day 5: Magic Kingdom

Wednesday, we spent the day at the Magic Kingdom. This was probably the most fun day for the kids since the Magic Kingdom is more like Disneyland and has mostly rides for little kids and is so magical! The kids loved everything! We were a little later this morning than most, but got to the park right about the time the park opened. To get the Magic Kingdom, you have to take either the Monorail or the Ferry. We took the Ferry and the kids really liked riding the boat over. It is fun to see the castle coming across the water, too - It is so pretty! I love the walk up Main Street to the castle - It just feels like it must be the Happiest Place on Earth!

Once we got there, we headed straight for Splash Mountain. The height requirement is 40 inches, which is what the rides that he rode earlier in the week were, so we planned on Logan being able to ride, but he wore different shoes and wasn't quite tall enough. The lady measuring was much more strict than the previous ones had been. It probably didn't help that Logan was yelling "I don't want to ride Splash Mountain!" and crying and wouldn't stand up straight. I think the lady thought she was saving him by not letting him ride and thinking I was a mean mom! I know he would have loved the ride if we could have got him on it, but I think he was perfectly content playing on the little playground with Rylee. Darren was nice enough to stay off with the kids so I could ride with the fam. It was fun, but when we first got on, another log came down the hill and splashed us and I got soaked! I was pretty upset because my hair was wet and looked SO lovely for the rest of the day!

After Splash Mountain, we went and rode Pirates of the Caribbean. I think this was the only ride that Rylee was a little weary about. She hated the loud noises and when the canon balls splashed in the water, she would jump so high! Logan found all this pirate gear in the gift shop after we got off the ride and loved dressing up like Jack Sparrow. I don't know why he knows who that is since he has not seen the movies, but he is always pretending he is Captain Jack!

Next, we rode the Jungle Cruise which is always fun! Rylee really liked seeing all the animals. For some reason, this ride always makes Logan a little nervous. He never wants to ride it, but he managed just fine. Then we went on the Haunted Mansion. We have never attempted to take Logan on this ride before, but we figured that with all his uncles going, he could do it. We told him that all the ghosts were just "Mickey Magic" and if he got scared to close his eyes, so I think that is what he did for most of the ride, but he made it without even crying! Rylee slept through the whole thing so we didn't have to worry about her!

After the Haunted Mansion, we headed to Fantasyland which was much happier for the kiddies! We were heading for Winnie the Pooh, but Logan spotted Dumbo and had to ride it, so we did that first. Logan was SO excited about this ride! He loved it! Rylee really liked the ride too, although it doesn't look like it from the picture! Next, we rode Winnie the Pooh and Snow White and then went to the Mickey's Philarmagic 3D show. That was really fun - My kids are usually a little wary of 3D shows, but they really liked this one, probably because it featured all their favorite Disney characters and had nothing scary! Then we stopped and took some pictures in front of the castle (well...it was actually the back of the castle). The kids were having so much fun walking around the castle and holding hands. It was the cutest! While we were standing there, a Disney employee came by and started talking with us. Logan noticed a plastic sword in his bag, and told him he would like one. The guy had a little "Magical Moments" ceremony for Logan and gave him a sword and certificate making him a Prince for the day! Logan thought that was pretty special! It started raining a little, but was just sprinkling. We put on our rain coats for a little bit, but didn't wear them for long. I loved that Rylee just sat down in her rain coat and said "Cheese" in front of the castle - So funny! It rained off and on most of the day, but never really rained very hard, except while we were at dinner, which worked out nicely!

Next, we rode the Tea Cups. The kids really loved the Tea Cups! Rylee was clapping the whole time and Logan loved spinning the wheel. After the tea cups, we headed for Toon Town. It is much smaller than Toon Town at Disneyland. The kids played for a few minutes, but it was raining, so we headed to meet Mickey Mouse - always a highlight! It was Mickey and Minnie and we got lots of fun pictures with them. Rylee didn't cry too much and LOVED blowing them kisses!

After ToonTown, we headed over to watch the parade. The kids really enjoyed it - Logan especially liked seeing Cruella DeVille and the characters from Peter Pan, and of course Mickey and all the classics. Rylee enjoyed it too and waved to everyone so cute!

Next, we rode Splash Mountain again and this time Darren came along while my mom watched the kids. We got a little wet, but not as bad as the first time, although we were prepared, wearing our ponchos. We looked a little nerdy, but I didn't want to be wet anymore than I had to! Then we went and saw the Country Bear Jamboree. They don't have that at Disneyland anymore, but the kids really liked it, although Logan was a little nervous about the HUGE talking animal heads on the wall at first. Once the bears were singing and dancing, we were all fine and Logan and Rylee were clapping along.

Then we went to dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern. It was a character dinner and was so much fun! Logan hardly ate anything because he was so excited about the characters all around. Rylee managed to get her fill though! They had Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Chip and Dale and they were dressed in clothes from the Revolutionary War period. The food was delicious, too! We all had a great time and Heather even had several pictures taken with the characters, which is huge for her! I have to say that she did really well - I think she only cried once the whole trip. Nothing like the fiasco at Goofy's Kitchen in Disneyland 5 years ago, with Max chasing her around and her bawling! We also managed to get Dean ANOTHER special birthday dessert!

After dinner, we went to the Tiki Room. Logan and Rylee were both dancing and clapping along and really had fun. Then we went and walked through the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse. We tried to get Logan to ride Aladdin's Magic Carpets, but he wasn't interested! He was OBSESSED with going to ride the rockets, so we decided to head over there. On the way over to the rockets, we stopped and took a few more castle pics - this time from the front!

I think that the rockets were the longest line we waited in the whole trip! It took about 45 minutes and of course started raining again. Logan didn't mind though - He was so very excited and had been talking about riding the rockets all day. The rockets at the Magic Kingdom are a little different than the ones at the Disneyland. They are up on the 2nd level and you had to take an elevator to get up to the ride. Those spinning rides tend to make me sick, so me and Rylee just watched but Dad and Logan had a great time!

After the rockets, we rode Space Mountain. That is one of our very favorite rides! We love it! It is so much fun! Then we rode the little cars. Logan got a red one, so he thought it was Lightning McQueen and was SO happy about that! We noticed that Rylee had lost one of her shoes when we got in line, so my mom went back to find it and we were a little stressed about it, but she found it and she caught up with us right before we rode. Rylee was funny in the cars and was gripping the side. I don't think she liked how jerky they were.

After the cars, we rode Buzz Lightyear, another one of our favorites. Logan insisted on riding with Grandma. He loves this ride, but always gets so nervous before we get on. I don't know why - he really does like it. I think the GIANT Zurg makes him a little nervous! After the ride, we were walking around the little gift shop, and Logan used his charm once again! He told Jeff that he thought a Buzz Lightyear gun looked like fun and that he needed one, so Uncle Jeff bought it for him. They also had these funny Buzz hats. I just had to try it on Logan - I thought it was good for a laugh!

Next, we saw the Monster, Inc. comedy show, which was another interactive show that was HILARIOUS! We were all laughing so hard and Logan loved it! Then we went back and rode Space Mountain again (you gotta love the FastPasses!) and then watched the fireworks which were great. We also had FastPasses for Peter Pan, so we rode that again and then the boys went on Splash Mountain while the rest of us took the kiddies on It's A Small World. Logan and Rylee both really like this ride. Their eyes get so wide and they just seem to take it all in! Logan even started recognizing things from the times we went on it before and could tell us what was coming up. I know a lot of people think that Small World it is quite annoying, (namely my mom and sister...)but I think it is really cute and don't mind riding it. Its a Disney classic!

By this time, we were all completely exhausted from all our Disney touring! The kids were totally crashed out by the time we got back to the hotel! It was a good thing that we had a bit of a break the next day - Here is the slide show of our day at the Magic Kingdom: