It was a dark and early September morning in 2012 and the McKnight Family was about to embark on a Walt Disney World adventure like never before. The cast was myself (Michelle), Doug, Samantha(6), Alden(4), Clair(2) and we would celebrate Alden and Clair's birthday on this trip. It started out with a 7:30 am flight out of OMA to ATL. We packed breakfast in our Carry-ons so we could eat while we waited for our flight.
We enjoyed some mini doughnuts however Samantha dropped about half of them on the ground and we were confident that the airport carpet was not clean enough to eat off of. So, Doug and I were a little hungry. Poor Sam will be reminded of how she dropped our breakfast on the floor for years.
We kind of took over this little nook of windows of the terminal. You can see our plane out the window.
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| Clair is wearing a little harness that we borrowed from the Haggs It helped keep her still. |
It was a smaller plane, which I really like with the kids. The flight attendants get to know their names sometimes and they let us board first because they were the only kids on the plane. They also asked the kids if they wanted anything as we got settled in and they brought them each a little bottle of water and "cookie" (I don't call it a cookie, but Delta Airlines does!)
The kids each found a neck pillow for the trip. We planned to use this more in the car then on the plane.
They also each found a new stuffed animal in their book bags when they opened them at the airport. We watched the Disney store online for a deal and got a couple animals on sale before the trip. This way they can start the trip with one souvenir and we didn't have to spend much!
The first real ride in Orlando at the airport! The monorail from the terminal to the main part of the airport.
After getting the rental van we took a picture to show just how we roll. The car seats might be the biggest bags.
Just about 30 min later we found ourselves "Where Dreams Come True"
First stop was our hotel for night one - the brand new Art of Animation Resort. The wing we stayed in opened just 2 weeks before our arrival.
The front of the resort.
In the lobby there is lots of art. It shows the progression of movies from sketches to full color.
"Mine, Mine, Mine"
Farther down the lobby is the full color art work.
And the back door to Animation Hall.
We were in a little mermaid room for just one one night. Since Clair was still 2 for another few days we could stay in this room as a family of four. Once she hit 3, we officially became a family of 5 in Disney's eyes, and could no longer stay in the Standard Rooms at the Value Resorts.
Lots of under the sea touches.
A shower curtain full of treasure.
We put on our swim suits and headed down to the "Big Blue Pool" in the Nemo section. To get there we had to wonder through the "Pride Lands"of the resort.
Scar seems to be looking on a little too closely for Alden's liking.
Crush and Dori
Squirt hangs out at the play ground.
The playground consists of about 2 slides, but it looks really cool.
A water play area. All of Nemo's friends are there and they squirt water at you.
Samantha Pearl with Pearl.
After a swim we ventured over to Radiator Springs.
Leaning tower of tires.
Guido
Mater
Possible the coolest pool cabanas on property. They are first come first serve, so you may have to get there early or stalk them for one to open up.
The entrance to one of the Cars Family Suite buildings.
Ramone
Lightning
Sally
Sarg
Flow
Fillmore
Mine, Mine, Mine
Back to our building. We had King Triton watching over us.
That night we went to downtown Disney for few things. First to eat Dinner - we ate at Raglan Road. It is Irish themed and they have dancers and live music. It was kind of a long meal with our tired travelers, but good food. Then we had to go to Guest Services to pick up our Y.E.S. Tickets. We bought our tickets through the Youth Educational Series program. We signed Samantha and Alden up for a science class at the Magic Kingdom and to do this you have buy the tickets through them and pick them up at Guest Services either at Downtown Disney or one of the 4 theme parks.
While Doug went to get the Tickets we checked out the newly Remodeled Lego Store. It is huge and every Lego fan's dream. Then we went back to our Little Mermaid themed room to get some sleep before hitting a park the next day!
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