A Magical Adventure

Dreams really do come true at DisneyWorld; especially for three wide-eyed 5-year olds!!! We just returned this week after 4 days in Orlando and 3 days in Siesta Key, FL (a small island on the Gulf Coast just west of Sarasota). We had an absolute BLAST and SO lucked out on having decent weather; high 60's to low 70's and sunny while in Orlando; mostly cloudy at Siesta Key but it was perfect for beach play and the pool. We arrived in Orlando by noon on Tuesday and were sitting in the sun and eating crab legs by early afternoon - Taylor ate the most! Our condo was absolutely gorgeous and we went swimming after lunch and just relaxed to gear up for 3 bigs days at the parks: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and SeaWorld.

We only had 3 "setbacks" on our trip (lucky number 3), all which happened in the first two days: Dylan got a bug the night before we left and puked all night, on the way to the airport and on the airplane (he recovered pretty much the minute we landed); Taylor got left behind at the Royal Castle (MY bad!!) for about 10 LONG minutes (we got the police involved and thankfully found her in the castle); AND, Taylor got her neck caught in the back car window when Dad rolled up the electric windows before going into Animal Kingdom (the ambulance was called by security - thank goodness she was fine and no trip to ER was necessary). Whooo! Like mother, like daughter (it's always something).

Other than that, our adventure was truly magical!! Our highlights included:

Lots of swimming at the pools

Breakfast with Cinderella at the Royal Table

Treated like royalty for our 5-yr BDay celebration at the Castle

Met and hugged all the Disney Princesses and Fairies

Cuddled Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, Daisy, Thumper, Pinochio...

and many other furry creatures

Rode LOTS of rides - Taylor passed for 42" (just barely)

Enjoyed many spectacular shows

Watched fireworks and sat curb-side at parades

Savored ice cream in the sun

Got to touch dolphins & sea rays and feed the seals

Saw Manatees, orca whales and penguins up-close

Enjoyed abundant fresh air and sunshine

Dipped our feet in the ocean

Dug our toes into the sugary white sand

Danced and sang on the beach

Created a massive sand city

Collected seashells and found a crab

Mom spotted a shark (Dave still in doubt)

Toured the Gulf Coast by Sarasota

Ate lots of fresh seafood

Entertained by live music and dancing

It was a perfect family trip we will remember with many fond memories for years to come. LTD are still talking about it and asking when we can go back. Ha! It's either college or Disney; which do you prefer? Seriously, cost aside, it was worth every penny!

Here are just a few photos. We have MANY more which you can feel free to access through our KodakGallery link in the right-hand column of our blog. May your life be touched by magic and your dreams come true!!