We did Disney - Day 1

I am months behind in blogging what we have been up to for the past four months (birthdays! Christmas!), and I'll catch up eventually, but I have to get this up...we did Disney!  Mickey surprised James and Claire with a letter, stuffed Mickey and Minnie and autograph books the weekend before we left.  Mickey knew better than to let James know we were going to Disney World too far in advance :)

We left on Wednesday just in time for Chicago to get hit with some frigid temps.  Claire was a nightmare on the airplane (where was the baby benedryl when you needed it?).  Thank goodness Disney makes it SO EASY on families.  No need to get your luggage, just head right to the Disney Magical Express for the ride to your hotel.  We stayed at the Grand Floridian.  My one request was to stay at a hotel on the monorail because I wanted easy access back and forth from the parks if Claire needed a midday nap back at the hotel.  Best decision ever!  The hotel was awesome and the location even better (one stop from Magic Kingdom and four from Epcot).  James was very impressed with the towels in the shape of Mickey and the chocolates left with the turn-down service each night.  We even had a view across the pond right to Cinderella's castle (and the nightly fireworks) and Space Mountain.  Score! 

Day 1 we headed to the Magic Kingdom.  I went to Disney numerous times as a kid and Chris and I went once when we were dating (over 10 years ago), but I didn't remember the park being as small as it is!  Better for little legs to get around, I guess. 

 First views of Cinderella's Castle

Most of our time was spent in Fantasy Land hitting up all the old school rides. 

 First autograph from Fairy Godmother

 I was hoping Claire would be walking by now, but she still needs some help.  Luckily she was able to ride along with us on almost every ride! 

Teacups!

 Dumbo

 Token picture of me from the day

We caught the White Rabbit, but Alice ran away before we could catch her for an autograph.  We caught up with her our last day though!

 Highlight of the day was James turning into a real pirate (at Disney's Pirate League)! 

 He makes a good pirate, right?

 We caught a show at the castle, and got to see Mickey and all his friends, the princesses and their princes, Peter Pan and Wendy, Captain Hook and Smee, and Maleficent.

 At the end of the day we headed back to Adventureland for the Pirate Parade.  And look who showed up!

 Captain Jack Sparrow!  Seriously, I thought Johnny Depp showed up at Disney World, the resemblance is uncanny!

 Because pirates take ships, we took the boat back across the pond to our hotel. 

What a day our first day was!  Disney truly is magical.  Four more days at the parks to go!