Disney Day Four: Animal Kingdom

When we woke up the kids all seemed fine, so we met up at Animal Kingdom at 9:30. We have these awesome cheetah print Mickey shirts that again, amazing Daniela made. We actually got quite a few compliments on them from people around the park! I never would have imagined what a difference it makes to all be wearing the same shirt. Other people don't try to come between our group in line and it's easy to spot everyone as we make our way through the crowds. That and our kids are stinkin' adorable in matching white with green and pink leopard Mickey logos. Today Jordan got some fuzzy pink leopard Mickey ears to go with her shirt. Don't worry, there's pictures.

We started the day off on a safari seeing elephants, giraffes, lions, hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, flamingos and more. Then we met Safari Mickey, Safari Minney, Safari Goofy, Safari Donald, Chip & Dale, Pooh, Tigger, & Eeyore. Next was a nice, cool, dark, air-conditioned place that happened to have the Lion King show. Did I mention it had air conditioning? Of course, we were there for the show, why would you think otherwise?? Really, the show was pretty amazing with elaborate costumes, music, huge animated Lion King characters (Simba, Pumba, Timon, and an elephant), fire throwing & breathing, ballet, and high-flying acrobatics. Kids from the audience came out and shook shakers for the final number, Circle of Life, of course. It was very nice because the whole thing was air conditioned. :)

We then had a great lunch (despite Micah's mild tantrum) complete with ducks running around scavenging. After some more penny machines, Jadyn fell asleep in a store and Micah grew more restless. Then, we found a playground made to look like an excavation site in progress and a dinosaur dig, where kids could dig in sand to uncover a mammoth. Micah wasn't into it and was just too hot. Jordan was a trouper and totally into the playground.

Since I was tired of dealing with Micah, Gramma, Grampa, Jeff, Micah & I came back to the hotel while the J's are still at the park, I presume. They wanted to stay for a parade, so we'll just see pictures of it. Micah fell asleep in the stroller on the way to the tram and slept through the tram, the walk to the car, the car ride to the hotel, then woke up when we got here. After we got back to the hotel, a Florida thunderstorm rolled in and we watched it rain while trying to coax him back to sleep. He's finally sleeping again, hopefully for a while.

It was a crazy day with him, but I actually think this park was my favorite. It's more shaded and treesy, and made to look more natural. And when is it ever not amazing to see all those animals?

Several weeks before we came, my excitement about this trip grew and grew until I didn't think I could wait much longer. I couldn't wait to see Jordan experience so many of her favorite things, spend time with the whole family, and watch the cousins play together. About a week before the trip, the reality of traveling with Micah (and two other preschoolers for that matter) began to set in and I started becoming nervous about how Micah would be in hotter weather, taking no naps, spending so much time on a plane, staying up and out late, sleeping in an unfamiliar place, eating out for every meal, and totally overstimulated from the parks. I knew this would not be a relaxing, restful vacation. Our first day, Micah exceeded my expectations and was a gem. On our second day, his temperament (and mine) was completely worse than what I expected, but he was great through dinner and in the evening. Yesterday, he actually slept 2.5 hours in a different place and was great for Gramma, so I was pleasantly surprised. Today, however, was completely opposite and he was bordering on ridiculous. Toddler traveling at its finest. I hope he is at least decent tomorrow. Tomorrow is Jordan's big day. She gets her hair done at the "Bibbity Bobbity Boutique" before dressing up like Cinderella to have lunch with her in her castle! We're so blessed to be along for the ride!