Just Another Day in Paradise: Hi-ho! Hi-ho!

K with Josh in the hot tub

B riding our transit boat to the Magic Kingdom

We've spent the last week (or 4 days plus travel) at Disney World with Josh's parents - and had an amazing time. Our drive down was uneventful except for a rather singular experience at Chick-Fil-A. Perhaps I should explain. Long days of travel require stops - this much every parent knows. And when we travel, we prefer to stop somewhere that the kids can run around and play (even if it means we pack up their lunch to eat later in the car). So we're generally on the hunt for Chick-Fil-A or a McDonald's playplace. As it happens, there was a Chick-Fil-A in Gainesville which was right around the right place for a lunch break - and it didn't hurt that it was the same exit as the Starbucks that my father-in-law likes to stop at. Normally Chick-Fil-A is a good bet for the kids, but for some reason, the play place at this one was designed to be virtually unnavigable by children under the age of 4. There was no toddler area, so essentially, unless one of the adults was there to boost up the kids all the way to the top level, they couldn't play. Definite fail for us. Is it wrong to be so disappointed by this?? Perhaps. It's just unfortunate when things don't meet your expectations. Chick-Fil-A playplace means the kids get their energy out and settle in for an afternoon of driving, except here - not so much. Luckily, on the way home, we stopped in Ocala instead and they had the standard setup which was much appreciated (by kids and adults alike).

K on the teacups

Disney was a great experience. We rode all the rides we wanted, met all the characters we wanted, and had a genuinely good time. We stayed at the cabins at Fort Wilderness (which was a new location for us) and thought they were perfect. The cabins had a double bed and a set of bunkbeds in the bedroom as well as a full size murphy bed in the living room - so plenty of sleeping space without everyone having to go to bed at the same time. We also had a full kitchen and an eating area. An all-around great value that allowed us to cook for ourselves for breakfast and dinner, but still enjoy snacking while we were in the park. B seems to have gotten over his fear of mascots (perhaps) and while he didn't love Mickey at first site, he actually asked to visit him again and enjoyed it. K on the other hand loved them the first time she saw them, but wanted nothing to do with them the second time. Fickle children? Yes.

B with Baba and Deda

Hi, Minnie!

Our cabin was right next to a pool and hot tub, so the kids also got plenty of relaxation time when we were ready to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the parks. Josh and I were fortunate enough to get some grown-up alone time as well - Thanks Baba and Deda! - to get a nice dinner at Sanaa at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and meander around Downtown Disney on Friday night. We had amazing weather the entire week and only had rain one afternoon. Sunshine, glorious sunshine! After over a year in Monterey, I feel like we were definitely due :)