May 2008 Walt Disney World Vacation

Rachel watches the planes take off and land in anticipation of her first airplane ride.

2009-06-22T18:04:26Z

Kori
Rachel watches the planes take off and land in anticipation of her first airplane ride.

Rachel at the airport. We chose to fly out of Kansas City because Midwest Airlines has a non-stop Signature Series flight that leaves from there. The Signature Series flights are basicall ...

2009-06-22T18:20:03Z

Kori
Rachel at the airport. We chose to fly out of Kansas City because Midwest Airlines has a non-stop Signature Series flight that leaves from there. The Signature Series flights are basicall ...

The first of many silly poses

2009-06-22T18:06:36Z

Kori
The first of many silly poses

Rachel was so excited, she could hardly contain herself!

2009-06-22T18:05:51Z

Kori
Rachel was so excited, she could hardly contain herself!

Come on, already! When do we get to Disney World??

2009-06-22T17:50:02Z

Kori
Come on, already! When do we get to Disney World??

Skyler wasn't sure exactly what was going on, but he knew it was exciting.

2008-12-19T06:12:54Z

Kori
Skyler wasn't sure exactly what was going on, but he knew it was exciting.

What's goin' on, Mom?

2009-06-22T17:51:16Z

Kori
What's goin' on, Mom?

Eventually, Skyler just had to see what all the excitement was about. He loved watching the planes out of the big windows at the airport.

2009-06-22T18:00:48Z

Kori
Eventually, Skyler just had to see what all the excitement was about. He loved watching the planes out of the big windows at the airport.

Skyler and Daddy pass the time by watching all the activity outside.

2009-06-22T17:56:35Z

Kori
Skyler and Daddy pass the time by watching all the activity outside.

Skyler waited more patiently than Rachel.

2008-12-19T06:05:40Z

Kori
Skyler waited more patiently than Rachel.

Daddy, Daddy -- LOOK!

2009-06-22T18:04:55Z

Kori
Daddy, Daddy -- LOOK!

Not a good sign -- Rachel was already tired of Mommy taking so many pictures! She is holding her Disney Girl doll that was waiting for her in the car that morning. Skyler got a plush Mickey ...

2009-06-22T19:27:04Z

Kori
Not a good sign -- Rachel was already tired of Mommy taking so many pictures! She is holding her Disney Girl doll that was waiting for her in the car that morning. Skyler got a plush Mickey ...

Rachel is ready to go! She couldn't decide if she wanted to look outside or not, so she was constantly putting her window shade up or down. In the end, she decided she really liked watching ...

2009-06-22T17:58:13Z

Kori
Rachel is ready to go! She couldn't decide if she wanted to look outside or not, so she was constantly putting her window shade up or down. In the end, she decided she really liked watching ...

Skyler sat with Daddy. He wasn't sure what to make of the plane. He would grab Eric's hand any time there was a change in pressure or a loud noise, such as the landing gear going up or down. ...

2009-06-22T17:55:45Z

Kori
Skyler sat with Daddy. He wasn't sure what to make of the plane. He would grab Eric's hand any time there was a change in pressure or a loud noise, such as the landing gear going up or down. ...

Nerves made it hard for Rachel to go to sleep the night before, resulting in a little bit of crabbiness on the monorail ride. It would quickly fade once inside the Magic Kingdom -- what a li ...

2009-06-22T18:07:39Z

Kori
Nerves made it hard for Rachel to go to sleep the night before, resulting in a little bit of crabbiness on the monorail ride. It would quickly fade once inside the Magic Kingdom -- what a li ...

We were up bright (very bright) and early the first day, ready to see the Magic Kingdom! We rode the monorail into the park. Skyler liked it a lot, although it was a very bright day.

2009-06-22T17:19:55Z

Kori
We were up bright (very bright) and early the first day, ready to see the Magic Kingdom! We rode the monorail into the park. Skyler liked it a lot, although it was a very bright day.

Our goal was to make it to the opening ceremony at the Magic Kingdom, where the train brings the characters in and they do a special show. Unfortunately, we were about five minutes too late. ...

2009-06-22T17:25:13Z

Kori
Our goal was to make it to the opening ceremony at the Magic Kingdom, where the train brings the characters in and they do a special show. Unfortunately, we were about five minutes too late. ...

Our first glimpse of Walt Disney World, just through the tunnel and making our way to Main Street.

2009-06-22T16:20:04Z

Kori
Our first glimpse of Walt Disney World, just through the tunnel and making our way to Main Street.

Our first look at the castle, in all it's glory! We were high-tailing it to the Dumbo ride, before the line there got too long.

2009-06-22T17:43:35Z

Kori
Our first look at the castle, in all it's glory! We were high-tailing it to the Dumbo ride, before the line there got too long.

Rachel was so excited, she could hardly stand it! We were actually at DISNEY WORLD!

2009-06-22T17:52:37Z

Kori
Rachel was so excited, she could hardly stand it! We were actually at DISNEY WORLD!

We just couldn't resist a couple of quick photos by the "Partners" statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse. Kori made most of the kids' clothes for the trip.

2009-06-22T17:24:48Z

Kori
We just couldn't resist a couple of quick photos by the "Partners" statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse. Kori made most of the kids' clothes for the trip.

People were laughing because Rachel was such a supermodel while getting her picture taken -- she would pose and yell, "Take my picture! Take my picture!"

2009-06-22T17:42:13Z

Kori
People were laughing because Rachel was such a supermodel while getting her picture taken -- she would pose and yell, "Take my picture! Take my picture!"

Rachel and the "Partners" statue

2009-06-22T16:20:04Z

Kori
Rachel and the "Partners" statue

The castle looked beautiful from every angle.

2009-06-22T17:25:22Z

Kori
The castle looked beautiful from every angle.

Another view of the castle -- Kori got a little castle crazy -- you'll be seeing the castle a lot! :-)

2008-12-19T05:54:05Z

Kori
Another view of the castle -- Kori got a little castle crazy -- you'll be seeing the castle a lot! :-)

She was so taken with the duck, it was hard to convince her to keep moving so we could get to the rides!

2009-06-22T16:22:29Z

Kori
She was so taken with the duck, it was hard to convince her to keep moving so we could get to the rides!

Rachel had a duck obsession going for the entire trip. Here she spies her first glimpse of her new feathered friends, swimming in the moat around the castle and playing on the rocks.

2009-06-22T17:36:58Z

Kori
Rachel had a duck obsession going for the entire trip. Here she spies her first glimpse of her new feathered friends, swimming in the moat around the castle and playing on the rocks.

This is the duck that had so captivated Rachel, on a rock along the banks of the castle moat.

2009-06-22T17:18:28Z

Kori
This is the duck that had so captivated Rachel, on a rock along the banks of the castle moat.

Skyler was a little overwhelmed at first, but enjoyed being outside, even if it was a little bright. He refused to wear a hat, so we had to slather his whole little head with sunscreen.

2009-06-22T16:12:41Z

Kori
Skyler was a little overwhelmed at first, but enjoyed being outside, even if it was a little bright. He refused to wear a hat, so we had to slather his whole little head with sunscreen.

This area was one of Rachel's favorites. There is a little "secret" path that goes along the back of the castle in a rose garden. There is a wishing well halfway through and it quickly becam ...

2009-06-22T16:20:08Z

Kori
This area was one of Rachel's favorites. There is a little "secret" path that goes along the back of the castle in a rose garden. There is a wishing well halfway through and it quickly becam ...

We weren't quite quick enough to make it to Dumbo to avoid ANY line -- we still had about a 15 minute wait. Skyler enjoyed watching all the people and you could tell he knew something great ...

2009-06-22T17:28:59Z

Kori
We weren't quite quick enough to make it to Dumbo to avoid ANY line -- we still had about a 15 minute wait. Skyler enjoyed watching all the people and you could tell he knew something great ...

Thank goodness for Daddy who carried Skyler through nearly all the lines at Disney World. You have to park your stroller outside of the lines -- Eric's strong arms were a true godsend!

2009-06-22T16:18:34Z

Kori
Thank goodness for Daddy who carried Skyler through nearly all the lines at Disney World. You have to park your stroller outside of the lines -- Eric's strong arms were a true godsend!

Nearly there!! We can see Dumbo!

2009-06-22T17:24:50Z

Kori
Nearly there!! We can see Dumbo!

Daddy and Skyler rode the blue Dumbo and Rachel and Mommy were in the purple Dumbo. You can't see Skyler, but he was just able to peek over the edge and he loved the ride!

2009-06-22T16:19:58Z

Kori
Daddy and Skyler rode the blue Dumbo and Rachel and Mommy were in the purple Dumbo. You can't see Skyler, but he was just able to peek over the edge and he loved the ride!

After the long line, Rachel was feeling a little crabby. Once we got moving, though, her bad mood quickly evaporated and she was ready for fun!! (Plus, Dumbo was about the longest line we ha ...

2009-06-22T17:40:07Z

Kori
After the long line, Rachel was feeling a little crabby. Once we got moving, though, her bad mood quickly evaporated and she was ready for fun!! (Plus, Dumbo was about the longest line we ha ...

It's not easy to take a photo of the Dumbo behind you!

2008-12-19T05:54:15Z

Kori
It's not easy to take a photo of the Dumbo behind you!

Daddy and Skyler fly over Fantasyland

2009-06-22T16:15:52Z

Kori
Daddy and Skyler fly over Fantasyland

The Dumbo Rachel and Mommy were riding in was stuck in the "up" position -- we couldn't get it to go down. But that's okay, that's where Rachel wanted to be anyway!

2009-06-22T16:23:17Z

Kori
The Dumbo Rachel and Mommy were riding in was stuck in the "up" position -- we couldn't get it to go down. But that's okay, that's where Rachel wanted to be anyway!

It got hot FAST! Turns out Orlando was having record highs the entire time we were there. (Right after we left, they started having problems with wildfires because of the heat and lack of ra ...

2009-06-22T17:30:39Z

Kori
It got hot FAST! Turns out Orlando was having record highs the entire time we were there. (Right after we left, they started having problems with wildfires because of the heat and lack of ra ...

Jumping on this yellow pads made water squirt out of different parts of the sculpture in the middle. If you weren't careful, you could end up really wet!!

2009-06-22T17:19:18Z

Kori
Jumping on this yellow pads made water squirt out of different parts of the sculpture in the middle. If you weren't careful, you could end up really wet!!

But Rachel didn't care about getting wet. She jumped right in and raced around the water.

2009-06-22T16:21:36Z

Kori
But Rachel didn't care about getting wet. She jumped right in and raced around the water.

The cool water felt good in the hot sun.

2009-06-22T16:23:11Z

Kori
The cool water felt good in the hot sun.

Rachel liked to stand on the spots where the water spurts up, then would get a big squirt of water when she stepped off.

2009-06-22T16:15:04Z

Kori
Rachel liked to stand on the spots where the water spurts up, then would get a big squirt of water when she stepped off.

It was a ton of fun

2009-06-22T16:22:18Z

Kori
It was a ton of fun

Right behind the water playground is Ariel's Grotto, where kids can come face to face with Ariel. Rachel was very excited to meet her favorite princess!

2009-06-22T17:35:04Z

Kori
Right behind the water playground is Ariel's Grotto, where kids can come face to face with Ariel. Rachel was very excited to meet her favorite princess!

Rachel told Ariel how she had dressed up as the mermaid for Halloween. We also asked her if she had a "dingelhopper," what she calls a fork in the Little Mermaid movie. She promptly took a f ...

2009-06-22T16:12:37Z

Kori
Rachel told Ariel how she had dressed up as the mermaid for Halloween. We also asked her if she had a "dingelhopper," what she calls a fork in the Little Mermaid movie. She promptly took a f ...

Ariel's tail was really beautiful and the pictures don't do it justice. It was very shiny and sparkly. Ariel herself was very bubbly and kept calling Rachel "silly," then giggling.

2009-06-22T17:26:44Z

Kori
Ariel's tail was really beautiful and the pictures don't do it justice. It was very shiny and sparkly. Ariel herself was very bubbly and kept calling Rachel "silly," then giggling.

Rachel counts meeting Ariel as one of her most favorite memories of Walt Disney World. Just look at that smile!

2009-06-22T17:31:17Z

Kori
Rachel counts meeting Ariel as one of her most favorite memories of Walt Disney World. Just look at that smile!

More pictures with Ariel

2009-06-22T16:10:22Z

Kori
More pictures with Ariel

I can't tell you how excited Rachel was to meet Ariel. It was one of the highlights of the trip for her.

2009-06-22T17:19:25Z

Kori
I can't tell you how excited Rachel was to meet Ariel. It was one of the highlights of the trip for her.

Meanwhile, Skyler and Eric were waiting in the shade having a little snack.

2009-06-22T17:32:28Z

Kori
Meanwhile, Skyler and Eric were waiting in the shade having a little snack.

Skyler was still pretty overwhelmed by all the activity at this point.

2009-06-22T16:13:03Z

Kori
Skyler was still pretty overwhelmed by all the activity at this point.

More of Rachel's feathered friends...she discovered that if she dropped her Cheetos, the birds would come and share her snack with her. I think the birds got more Cheetos than Rachel.

2009-06-22T17:23:12Z

Kori
More of Rachel's feathered friends...she discovered that if she dropped her Cheetos, the birds would come and share her snack with her. I think the birds got more Cheetos than Rachel.

Next, it was off to "It's a Small World." As we got into line, the clock in the middle was striking 11 a.m. and doing a little show.

2009-06-22T16:10:24Z

Kori
Next, it was off to "It's a Small World." As we got into line, the clock in the middle was striking 11 a.m. and doing a little show.

They re-did the WDW version of Small World to more closely resemble the original at Disneyland. This happy clock keeps the time.

2009-06-22T16:13:33Z

Kori
They re-did the WDW version of Small World to more closely resemble the original at Disneyland. This happy clock keeps the time.

Skyler was riveted by all the sights Small World had to offer. Once inside the ride, he was fascinated by all the little people and fought very hard to stay awake, but mid-way through, sleep ...

2009-06-22T16:22:06Z

Kori
Skyler was riveted by all the sights Small World had to offer. Once inside the ride, he was fascinated by all the little people and fought very hard to stay awake, but mid-way through, sleep ...

Another view of the smiling clock.

2009-06-22T16:12:42Z

Kori
Another view of the smiling clock.

We're almost to the front of the line! We think Small World was Skyler's favorite ride. He was able to ride almost everything and really did enjoy all the rides and sights.

2009-06-22T16:17:44Z

Kori
We're almost to the front of the line! We think Small World was Skyler's favorite ride. He was able to ride almost everything and really did enjoy all the rides and sights.

It was noon and we had to head back to the condo...we needed to make a Wal-Mart run to get supplies for the week and Eric's mom had stayed behind to help take care of some bed issues with th ...

2009-06-22T17:20:38Z

Kori
It was noon and we had to head back to the condo...we needed to make a Wal-Mart run to get supplies for the week and Eric's mom had stayed behind to help take care of some bed issues with th ...

On the way back to the condo on the monorail. Rachel was given $10 each day that she could spend on anything she wanted. This day, she chose to spend her money on a plush Daisy Duck she foun ...

2009-06-22T17:15:29Z

Kori
On the way back to the condo on the monorail. Rachel was given $10 each day that she could spend on anything she wanted. This day, she chose to spend her money on a plush Daisy Duck she foun ...

After a trip to Wal-Mart and a little rest break, we headed back to the Magic Kingdom that night to see the SpectroMagic parade. Here's a photo of the train station all lit up for the night.

2009-06-22T17:42:32Z

Kori
After a trip to Wal-Mart and a little rest break, we headed back to the Magic Kingdom that night to see the SpectroMagic parade. Here's a photo of the train station all lit up for the night.

My apologies for this first set of SpectroMagic photos. The first night we saw the parade, I really hadn't found the best setting on my camera, so they are blurry. The SpectroMagic pictures ...

2009-06-22T16:21:59Z

Kori
My apologies for this first set of SpectroMagic photos. The first night we saw the parade, I really hadn't found the best setting on my camera, so they are blurry. The SpectroMagic pictures ...

The parade has lots of little mini-floats that scurry all along the parade route. I didn't get a good picture of her, but one of the mini-floats was Ursula from the Little Mermaid. She came ...

2009-06-22T17:22:12Z

Kori
The parade has lots of little mini-floats that scurry all along the parade route. I didn't get a good picture of her, but one of the mini-floats was Ursula from the Little Mermaid. She came ...

Another mini-float...these were funny harlequin style clowns on big lighted balls.

2009-06-22T16:22:36Z

Kori
Another mini-float...these were funny harlequin style clowns on big lighted balls.

The float introducing the SpectroMagic parade

2009-06-22T17:32:23Z

Kori
The float introducing the SpectroMagic parade

Mickey Mouse starts up the magic -- SpectroMagic, that is!

2009-06-22T17:18:54Z

Kori
Mickey Mouse starts up the magic -- SpectroMagic, that is!

The Genie from Aladdin was leading the orchestra. Rachel enjoyed the music from SpectroMagic so much, she asked us to buy the soundtrack; she wants to do a skating program to it.

2009-06-22T16:10:31Z

Kori
The Genie from Aladdin was leading the orchestra. Rachel enjoyed the music from SpectroMagic so much, she asked us to buy the soundtrack; she wants to do a skating program to it.

A blurry Genie. (Sorry -- I promise the second batch of Spectro pictures are much better!)

2009-06-22T17:24:46Z

Kori
A blurry Genie. (Sorry -- I promise the second batch of Spectro pictures are much better!)

Goofy and a living harp

2009-06-22T17:28:11Z

Kori
Goofy and a living harp

Chip and Dale tickle the ivories

2009-06-22T17:26:52Z

Kori
Chip and Dale tickle the ivories

The peacock float was Kori's favorite

2009-06-22T16:16:24Z

Kori
The peacock float was Kori's favorite

Flora from Sleeping Beauty

2009-06-22T16:18:53Z

Kori
Flora from Sleeping Beauty

Flora from Sleeping Beauty

2009-06-22T16:10:29Z

Kori
Flora from Sleeping Beauty

Fauna from Sleeping Beauty (Or is this on Flora -- I get those two confused.)

2009-06-22T17:35:53Z

Kori
Fauna from Sleeping Beauty (Or is this on Flora -- I get those two confused.)

Can't see what this is, but the effect of the moving lights was cool...sometimes even mistakes can be interesting!

2009-06-22T16:21:53Z

Kori
Can't see what this is, but the effect of the moving lights was cool...sometimes even mistakes can be interesting!

A lighted butterfly -- one of Rachel's favorites in the parade

2009-06-22T16:13:21Z

Kori
A lighted butterfly -- one of Rachel's favorites in the parade

A giant lighted fish -- there was a whole family of fish. Rachel named them Daddy, Mommy, Rachel and Skyler.

2009-06-22T16:16:49Z

Kori
A giant lighted fish -- there was a whole family of fish. Rachel named them Daddy, Mommy, Rachel and Skyler.

I think this is the Mommy fish

2009-06-22T16:12:04Z

Kori
I think this is the Mommy fish

King Triton on the Ariel float.

2009-06-22T16:18:22Z

Kori
King Triton on the Ariel float.

A fish mini-float

2008-12-19T05:47:27Z

Kori
A fish mini-float

A crocodile balances a hippo ballerina on the Fantasia float.

2009-06-22T17:20:27Z

Kori
A crocodile balances a hippo ballerina on the Fantasia float.

Ostriches, hippos and crocs -- oh my!

2009-06-22T17:39:59Z

Kori
Ostriches, hippos and crocs -- oh my!

Hippo ballerina with crocodile partner

2009-06-22T16:06:31Z

Kori
Hippo ballerina with crocodile partner

Ostrich kick line

2009-06-22T16:07:59Z

Kori
Ostrich kick line

More of the Fantasia float

2009-06-22T17:25:48Z

Kori
More of the Fantasia float

The Big Bad Wolf

2009-06-22T16:13:14Z

Kori
The Big Bad Wolf

Cinderella's carriage was a particularly beautiful float

2009-06-22T16:05:25Z

Kori
Cinderella's carriage was a particularly beautiful float

Cinderella and the Prince

2009-06-22T16:16:58Z

Kori
Cinderella and the Prince

Alice in Wonderland. Their clothes changed clothes with the song -- sometimes they would be in full color, sometimes all white lights.

2009-06-22T16:22:55Z

Kori
Alice in Wonderland. Their clothes changed clothes with the song -- sometimes they would be in full color, sometimes all white lights.

Queen of Hearts

2009-06-22T16:02:24Z

Kori
Queen of Hearts

Mary Poppins

2009-06-22T16:23:34Z

Kori
Mary Poppins

Dumbo leads the carousel float

2009-06-22T16:03:34Z

Kori
Dumbo leads the carousel float

Captain Hook and the Queen from Snow White on the villains' float

2009-06-22T17:25:55Z

Kori
Captain Hook and the Queen from Snow White on the villains' float

Gepetto and Pinocchio

2009-06-22T16:02:23Z

Kori
Gepetto and Pinocchio

Minnie Mouse

2009-06-22T16:02:31Z

Kori
Minnie Mouse

Eric and Rachel watch the parade. We watched the parade right where it started, near the firehouse on Main Street. After the parade, we walked behind it until we got closer to the castle ...

2009-06-22T16:16:57Z

Kori
Eric and Rachel watch the parade. We watched the parade right where it started, near the firehouse on Main Street. After the parade, we walked behind it until we got closer to the castle ...

Tinkerbell flies across the Magic Kingdom during the fireworks. I didn't know this happened until I saw a video on YouTube. We purposefully found a really good spot to watch her as she f ...

2009-06-22T16:02:23Z

Kori
Tinkerbell flies across the Magic Kingdom during the fireworks. I didn't know this happened until I saw a video on YouTube. We purposefully found a really good spot to watch her as she f ...

Wishes fireworks show over the castle

2009-06-22T16:16:37Z

Kori
Wishes fireworks show over the castle

Again, this was my first time shooting fireworks with our new camera, and I was still getting the hang of it. Be patient -- my skills get better as the week progresses!

2009-06-22T16:12:16Z

Kori
Again, this was my first time shooting fireworks with our new camera, and I was still getting the hang of it. Be patient -- my skills get better as the week progresses!

The only bad thing about our fireworks spot was that we were right behind this one lightpole -- it kept getting in the way!

2009-06-22T16:08:14Z

Kori
The only bad thing about our fireworks spot was that we were right behind this one lightpole -- it kept getting in the way!