Disney

We survived and maybe even flourished on our Disney vacation.  Both the kids were amazing.  I had some doubts and reservations before leaving.  I just can't believe how good they did.

A friend lent us a portable DVD player which saved the airplane flight.  A few episodes of Dora and Signing Time and my buddy (who was strapped into his car seat to prevent escape) was entertained and quiet.  Monkey bear was so excited to be on an airplane - and eating Jelly Bellies.  And what child doesn't love a bus ride?  Disney had its share of buses for us to ride.

Our hotel was beautiful and Nana and Grampa were there to help.  My buddy loved the free reign of running through the bedrooms, kitchen, and living room.  He quickly discovered that he could climb into the jacuzzi tub and turn the water on all by himself.  I quickly discovered the door handles were just tricky enough that he couldn't open them himself.

Disney is so good about guests with special needs.  We got a pass that allowed us to skip almost all the lines.  We never waited more than maybe 10 minutes for anything.  Which is a good thing because at about 8 minutes my buddy has had enough.  At about 9 minutes my arms are about to fall off holding him and the sweat from his little furnace body in the hot FL weather is about too much to bear.  Good thing there were 4 adults.

Monkey bear was overwhelmed when we first stepped into the Magic Kingdom.  She refused to smile, talk, or get out of the stroller.  We went on Small World and she lifted her head in interest.  We went on Peter Pan and she said, "Can we ride that again?"  And we did.  Monkey bear loved all the rides and loved hugging each character she met.  At first she wasn't sure.  She kept asking me, "Are they real?"  "Of course they are."

When my buddy first spied Mickey Mouse (after we skipped the gigantic line) he went running right into his arms with the biggest smile on his face.  His favorite ride was the carousel.  I truly love everything Disney, but this carousel is awful.  It is slow and only spins around 3 times.  But if we walked by it, my buddy would sign 'horse' and point and throw a fit if we didn't ride. 

It was really hot and the kids would melt around 2pm each day.  My buddy woke from his stroller nap drenched in sweat.  But a short stroll from our room was a pool with a playground next to it.  We stayed up late one night for the light parade.  Monkey bear was in love.  She sat on my shoulders and clapped, pointed, and waved.

The only bad thing is we are in the post vacation slump.  Monkey bear wants to know why we have to live in CT and why we don't live in Disney World.  My buddy will randomly throw himself on the ground in protest.  I imagine he is thinking, "hey where's all the entertainment?"