Florida 2010

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Our vacation began by us leaving on Thursday July 29th when Mike got home from work around 7:30pm. I drove to start with because his work decided to have him work four 10 hour days that week which translates into more like 12 to 13 hour days with the drive. We took turns driving back and forth. The kids were EXCELLENT. They slept most of the time. We got to Orlando 16 hours later, on Friday July 30th. That wasn't bad considering we stopped a million times. We got a room at a place called the Enclave. It was really cheap and I couldn't believe it because it was a 2 bedroom condo. NICE!!!! We didn't rest much, just got ready and headed to the outlets. After that, we went to Downtown Disney and ate at T-Rex. The kids LOVED it! They built their own dinosaurs. We went back to the room and got some sleep.


Saturday, July 31st, we headed to Disney to get our tickets and check in. Then we went to Epcot. When we went two years ago, the kids really weren't impressed with Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom, so we decided we weren't doing those. We went during kids under 9 get in for free which was perfect for us because all of ours are under 9, lol. The kids got passport books so when we went to each country they got their books signed. They also made masks and got those signed and stamped. They enjoyed that. Maybe my kids are different because most people say Epcot isn't for kids, but my kids loved it and they loved going to the different countries. That day we had lunch in Mexico, which was to die for, and dinner at the Garden Grill which was with Chip 'n Dale and Mickey. The kids were in heaven. I also had a delicious Margarita, YUMMY!! The park was not even crowded, it was nice. We focused a little on rides and hit one half of the countries. Oh, and no rain that day.

Sunday, August 1st, my Aunt Sherri came to pick up my mom and we headed to Magic Kingdom. We drove to the Magic Kingdom because the kids were dying to go on the monorail. We got there and had lunch at Tony's, Italian. It was good. Our waiter treated us wonderful. Then we were off to ride. Fast passes really helped in this park. It was pretty busy. We focused on the one side of the park, knowing that the next day we would be back. We had all of Mickey's Toon Town and Tomorrowland done and we were heading to Adventureland when a storm rolled in. We weren't too concerned because it does rain every day in Florida for 15mins. Well, this rain lasted for hours!!! Lightening everywhere, down pour of rain. It was terrible. We stayed in shelter for an hour and 45mins and realized it was time for our dinner reservation at the Castle which was half way across the park. We ran in the rain and got there soaked!!! The kids were so excited to eat in the castle even though it was with the princesses. They liked them, hey they are boys, it is only natural right?? Luka's favorite was Ariel. Zachary liked Jasmine and Michael liked Snow White. By the time we were done eating, it quit raining. We watched the awesome fireworks and rode a few more rides. It was extended hours, til 2am, but we left around 11pm.

Monday, August 2nd it was back to Magic Kingdom. The kids wanted to use Disney transportation and go by boat. We walked over and the Lake Patrol guy asked how many people we had and told us to go get life vests. We heard people saying we were lucky, but didn't know what was goin on. Here, he gave us a personal ride on his patrol boat over to Magic Kingdom along with a tour of the lake. He even was letting the kids talk on his CB radio and drive the boat. It was a blast!!! We had lunch at the Liberty Tree. It was good. We went to go ride. We had the other half of the park to hit now. They were determined to go on Splash Mountain today. It was VERY busy and VERY hot. We hit alot of rides and then the daily rain came. When it came, we went to an indoor ride and Luka fell asleep. He slept for over an hour while I took Michael and Zac to do other things. We hurried and got in line for the coaster right after it opened and had fast passes for that and Splash Mountain. Luka woke up, we finished riding and went to dinner at the Crystal Palace with Winnie the Pooh and friends. That is one of the best places to eat. Being it was so busy, and we still had a park to do the next day, we hit a couple other things and left around 9:30. We had the deluxe dining plan which allowed the 2 sit down meals, and I would not have changed that. But those parks are so big, even two days don't allow you to see them all. Unless you feel like waiting 80mins in line.

Tuesday, August 3rd we went back to Epcot. We had lunch in the Coral Reef. We spent the majority of the beginning of the day in the front of the park where all of the rides are. By the time we did 85% that, we headed to the countries. We hit two and it was dinner time in Canada (STEAKS!) The best filet with mushroom risotto ever!! Then we headed to finish the countries so they would have their books signed and masks done for memories! Then, we drove to my Aunt Sherri's house.

Wednesday, August 4th, we hung out for a little bit and took the kids to Marineland, where you could see dolphins. They weren't too impressed because they weren't close enough. You had to pay extra to feed them, which would have been fine, if we didn't just come from Disney. They just couldn't appreciate the fact that they were seeing dolphins. The beach there was beautiful!!! So we went and bought some groceries and headed back to my aunts to cook. After dinner, we enjoyed my aunt's new pool. The kids never wanted to get out. Real different. Water temp was 90. My mom's pool is lucky to hit 74, lol.

Thursday, August 5th, we went to the beach. We seen reports and my aunt had told us about kids and a women getting ran over on Daytona beach so we went to the beach 10 mins from her house called Flagler Beach. All the same water, just a name. The kids had a blast!! Dummy me, who never uses sun screen here, forgot to take it there. I am so use to the Pennsylvania sun, that I didn't think of it, so everyone got burned. Nothing too bad. I only got it on my back. Now more tan lines, lol. Then it was back to my aunt's for dinner. This is where is gets interesting. My mom was outside watching the kids swim while Mike and I were finishing dinner. Luka tried to get in a ring, which was too big for him. He slipped through the hole and sunk. My mom had to dive into the pool to save him. Both of them were ok. I think my mom took it worse than he did. He got right back in. He isn't in the pool enough to know how to swim yet. Zac just learned himself and he is 5.

Friday, August 6th, we went to the Flea Market. It is big and nice. Then it was back to my aunt's so Mike could rest and we were off. We left around 8:30pm and got home Saturday around 11am. Just in time to go to Milana's birthday party, lol. I got there at 4pm, but hey, at least I made it. Now, school, LOL!!!