Disney World and the crazy busy Florida

Excited on our first ride from the parking lot to tickets

We were greatly anticipating Disney World and I had downloaded an app on my Ipad giving us the inside scoop on the best parks to avoid and attend for limited crowds.  Well, everyone else and their dog must have downloaded the same app, b/c the Magic Kingdom was a nightmare of people on Sunday, Mothers Day.  The lines were long and navigating amongst the masses was so tiring.  Aunt Marjy joined us for the day and was truly a bright spot. She was able to get us her military discount which saved us about $500 in tickets for the week.  I wasn't sure if we'd make it a week after Sunday.  What a let down for the kids and us. 

On the way in...stopping in a crowd is interesting!

Elise and I trying on hats we would never buy for $26/each

 

However, Monday came and the crowds lessened.  We noticed that we had been avoiding the character greets b/c the lines were so long for them (and who cares about characters).  Well, turns out, the kids cared.....meeting Mickey, Goofy, Minnie, Donald and Pluto was a highlight.  Elise had said as we were leaving the first day, "I didn't even get to hug anybody Disney".  We knew that we had to change that. 

finally a hug

At Epcot, Monday night...rains were falling, rides were a dud and I asked the kids to pose once again....here's what I got.  We were all feeling it, she just doesn't mask the fact.

Fireworks were cool at 9pm

The waterparks have been a saving grace.  Their favorite is Blizzard Beach with a snow mountain theme.  This one is Typhoon Lagoon with a tropical theme.  Both parks were awesome and the crowds were miminal which was even better.  The boys did a 12 story drop on one of the slides.  Real shark reef swimmng experience, huge wave pools and long lazy rivers made for a great start to our first two days.

At the front of the park looking at the ship wreck ride