We're Back

We're back, had a great time. I will be editing the previous entries to fill everyone in on our adventures.

Animal Kingdom

Today was our day at Animal Kingdom, we don't go there very often but we lucked out today and the weather was perfect and the crowds weren't too bad.

What better way to start your day then with your two favorite grandbabies in your arms?


The Christmas tree at Animal Kingdom entrance is always so pretty.


Don't know what this plant is, but the colors were so vibrant just couldn't resist taking a picture.


Our first order of business was to head over to the Festival of the Lion King Show, it is one of the best shows in all of Disney.

Riley really liked the wild monkeys doing the tumbling.


And the singing was great too.


Then we headed up to the Safari to get fast passes. Took the train to Rafiki's Planet which is geared towards kids.

We always have to stop and look at the naked mole rats, they are pretty ugly.


Riley wasn't sure he wanted to sit with the elephants but he finally did.


The petting zoo turned into more of a looking zoo for Riley, can't say that I blame him.


Here is the only picture we got of a princess.


Took the train back to Africa and and got on the safari. Saw all the animals but the lions.



After the safari we did the walk and saw this antelope, a gerenuk which means giraffe-necked in Somali. They eat the leaves off the lower branches of trees. He stood like this for quite a while.


This wallet kept Riley occupied for lots of time during our visit. All we had to do was give him a piece of paper and he would work at getting it into one of the pockets and then take it out and put it in another.


The view as we approached Expedition Everest.


When we got there all the fast passes had been distributed for the day and the wait in line was 40 minutes or so. So Andy and Nikki decided to do the single rider line and they were on and off in about 20 minutes.

Andy was first and is second from the back on the right hand side.


Nikki was in the next car, sixth from the front on the left.


After this it was time to call it a day, Animal Kingdom has a short day with closing being at 1700. There were two buses loading for our resort and we didn't make it on. That was for the best because another bus drove right up and we pretty much had it to ourselves. Much easier than SRO.

Two of my handsome boys.


Went back to the room and cleaned out the stroller and backpack and set off for Downtown Disney. Our mission tonight was treats at the Candy Store and none of us had any problems picking out what we wanted.

Walked around for just a bit and then took the boat back to Port Orleans where we went to the food court to get some dinner.

After a good meal we were ready to got back to the rooms and call it a night.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

Dan and I were up and out of the room as soon as we woke up, didn't want to disturb everyone else. Went for a walk around the resort, it is always so pretty here in the morning.



This is the building that houses the food court.


Got back to the room and everyone else got ready, Riley tried for a few more rest minutes again this morning.



Baapa, Riley, and Kaleigh staying out of everyones way.


This morning we went to look at decorations at the other resorts. Took a bus to the Magic Kingdom and caught the monorail, first stop was the Contemporary where we walked through the shops and couldn't resist putting the hats on the kids.



The new way to carry Mickey.


Then it was on to the Polynesian and when we went outside it was so nice decided to walk to the Grand Floridian and this is the view as we approached.

The Wedding Chapel with the Contemporary in the distance.


Today in the Grand Floridian one of the pastry chefs was decorating gingerbread houses, she sure made it look easy.


Then back on the monorail to the Magic Kingdom where we caught a boat to Wilderness Lodge. Looked at all the decorations and decided it was time for lunch. Headed to the tiny food court and got everyone something to eat.

While we were there a cast member set up a cookie decorating area for the kids and Riley got to decorate one. He did it all by himself, must have remembered doing it at Sea World for the Spooktacular.


Oops got some on my arm and have to scrap it off.


Let's get those jimmys on.


Much easier to just dump them on.



That is so much fun.


Once we finished eating took a walk around Wilderness Lodge and tried to keep Kaleigh asleep as long as we could. Then it was back on a boat to go into the Magic Kingdom for the Very Merry Christmas Party.

The castle as we were walking towards Tomorrowland.


Riley trying to figure out just where we should go.


Riding the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, aka WEDway People Mover. Saw a beautiful sunset.


At the very end of the ride both the kids fell asleep, so we stayed on for another go round.



Eating dinner saw the castle all lit up.


Then it was down to ToonTown to get pictures with Mickey but first had to play on the playground.


Watching the parade in Frontierland.

The big tree at the end of Main Street.



Riley got a free lollipop from a cast member in the Ears Shop.


Saw the parade again but much closer so we could really see it. We headed back to the room after this.

It was a long day but we had a good time.