WDW--Days 5-9

Ok, I left off at...

WEDNESDAY, MAY 16th -- ANIMAL KINGDOM

Visited Animal Kingdom. It was humid, which was appropriate given how tropical this park is. N was sleepy and a little out of sorts from the moment we got there. She was just so excited having her grandparents in our condo that she stayed up late and then rose at the crack of dawn.

D set off immediately to ride the Everest Expedition after being told in no uncertain terms that he better do some of the things he wanted to do. D wanted to see N experience everything, but he was also itching to get some adult-fun in. I knew that he would go back to work and lament that he never got a chance to do anything he wanted to do if I didn't point blank tell him he better just do it. I've been married to the man long enough to know exactly how his passive-aggressive nature operates.

After he rode that, the gang sans me did the Kilimanjaro Safari (too bumpy for preggo gals). While waiting to see the Festival of the Lion King, which was the best show we saw the entire time, we took the Wildlife Express Train. By the time we got to the Lion King show, N was on her way out. She somehow managed to fall asleep at the end of it, which is amazing given how loud it was. D and my dad rode the Kali River Rapids while N napped in her stroller. My mom, mother-in-law and I drank frozen lemonades, shared a hot pretzel, and sat on our duffs (now this is how I like to enjoy amusement parks!!!!).

N woke up after an hour or so, and we were able to visit Minnie Mouse and see Pocahontas & Her Forest Friends show. We headed back to the condo for the night.

THURSDAY, MAY 17th -- MGM STUDIOS

We spent Thursday at MGM Studios. Once again, the plan was for D to go off and ride some of his "big dude" rides and then hook up with us, so he took in The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror before meeting us to watch the Voyage of the Little Mermaid. Amazingly, as soon as we left the auditorium we managed to get in to see Playhouse Disney--Live on Stage! within 3 minutes time.

By this time, baby boy was hungry so we headed over to Hollywood Blvd to eat. Afterwards we took N to the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure while D rode the Rock n Roller Coaster. Our plan was to see Beauty and the Beast--Live on Stage, but we were momentarily sidelined by JoJo & Goliath. We still managed to see the show, which N enjoyed, although she did not like it when Gaston and the other villagers were beating the crud out of the Beast. She was very concerned about his boo-boos.

We headed, once again, back to the condo for rest. Our intent was to visit Magic Kingdom that night to see the Spectromagic Parade, but it rained which was just as well because I don't think any of us had the energy to attempt any movement other than grabbing our drinks from the living room end tables. We all watched Shrek 2.

FRIDAY, MAY 18th-- MAGIC KINGDOM, again

Last day at WDW (thank goodness!). Although I had had a really good time, I was just about Disneyied out. We were going to get in everything we hadn't managed to do that we thought N would enjoy on this day, including staying for the afternoon parade.

D went to EPCOT to ride another couple rides he wanted to get in before leaving, and my dad was having some issues with his colitis, so it was me and my mother-in-law with N. We managed to arrive early at Magic Kingdom and walk right onto Snow White's Scary Adventure. I had read that it was kinda scary for preschoolers, but I thought we'd give it a try. During the ride, N said, "Mommy, I'm a little scared," but as soon as we got off she said, "Let's do that again." Since there was no wait, we did. She wanted to ride it a 3rd time, but I knew we'd better head over to Ariel's Grotto if she wanted to meet her and get an autograph.

N didn't seem at all excited to meet Ariel until she had met her, taken a picture with her and was walking out of the grotto, at which point she jumped around yelling, "I met Ariel! I met Ariel!" Delayed enthusiasm.

N, mamaw and I rode Peter Pan's Flight and then hooked up with nana and pa (my folks) and daddy to ride It's a Small World. Once again, my hunger dictated that we find something to nosh. Afterwards, D rode Peter Pan's Flight with N and then we all saw Country Bear Jamboree. Most of the rest of the afternoon was just noodling around the park, wasting time until the parade started. N did get to ride The Magic Carpets of Aladdin in Adventureland 2 times before we headed back over to Main Street USA.

She loved the parade, especially seeing the princesses. We were all so excited when one of the Cinderella mice came up and shook N's hand. After it was over, she gave her grandparents a play-by-play of whom she saw, even though they were standing directly behind her and saw the whole thing themselves.

We finished up our day by eating ice cream, getting some pictures in front of Cinderella's Castle, and taking the ferryboat back to the parking lot.

SATURDAY, MAY 19th -- Drove, and drove, and drove, and once again only got as far as Marietta, GA.

SUNDAY, MAY 20th -- Home again. Next time we vacation it will be a relaxing time at the beach.