WAHOO!!
I’m back with Part 2 of our EPIC Disney Land and Sea Vacation Recap. If you missed the first post, you can read all about the fun we had at Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom. To catch you up to speed, my family of six along with the Shull party of six just got back from a week’s worth of fun combining Disney World WITH a Disney Cruise. It was an absolutely magical trip!
On Saturday morning we headed to EPCOT!
Our first stop was Spaceship Earth with these two crazies. 🙂
I wish you could see this picture better, but the picture they took in the little cart has me with my mouth open like I’m screaming! What was I doing??
Right after that, we popped over to meet Mickey and his friends. Most of the group was excited to see him…
I’ve NEVER seen Britt move faster IN MY LIFE! She was SPEEDY getting away from Mickey! We decided the characters just weren’t her thing. #dontyouagree
*Sidenote-I’ve talked to a LOT of families who mention they have a kiddo who is scared of characters, or not into characters. I’m here to tell you Britt was terrified, but it wasn’t a big deal AT ALL. I didn’t force anything. I just held her while the rest of the crew introduced themselves. And if I wouldn’t have had other kiddos, we would have just skipped this area. Disney World is ALL THE THINGS…there are rides, characters, shows, parades, etc…you can easily steer clear of one entire aspect of the parks if it’d be better for your family. Just wanted to add that. 🙂
This spot in Epcot is a great one to meet Mickey, Goofy, and Minnie. They took plenty of time with our kiddos and we got some great pictures.
This picture reminded me so much of this one from years before….{where is Bowen?}
Then we let everyone run off some energy at this cute little playground.
Someone thought she was BIG STUFF hanging with those big kiddos.
I think I’ve shared before how my big kiddos are super helpful when it comes to Britt. While I was watching them play, I saw this. Ebby Lee is like a second mama to Britt. She is so sweet with her.
And even more proof. 🙂
We stopped in Mexico for chips, guacamole, and salsa and it was DELICIOUS!!!
Then it was time for the Gran Fiesta Tour boat ride in Mexico.
My favorite thing about this ride was our entire crew all fit in a boat, which is rare when there are twelve in your party! And #nowait.
Then we headed to Norway! You guys! I think every adult had a “moment” while we were on this trip about these sweet girls being here with us. We don’t take that for granted for a second. We serve a BIG, BIG God who knew that crazy crew of ten needed them. Do these cuties look pumped to be ready for the Frozen ride?
SELFIE IN LINE 🙂
This Frozen ride did NOT disappoint!
I was a big fan, and please note…Britt is waving to Ana.
We did a little shopping before moving on to the next country.
CHINA!! I can’t believe I don’t have a single picture. Shay and I tried to take different pictures and I think she has all of those. 🙂
Next stop was Germany, where this group of guys was playing a random assortment of buckets, drums, and more. We were feeling the beat and chilled for a bit to watch.
Nixon and Smith even got in on the action.
In Germany we had lunch reservations at the Biergarten Restaurant. You can see the stage on the right of the picture. There are shows scheduled from lunch to dinner time where someone performs. It was GREAT and so cute! We feasted on a buffet of ALL THE GERMAN food. I LOVED it! I’m a big fan of sauerkraut so anytime I can have that…I’m a happy girl. 🙂
I’m telling you…super cute restaurant.
Miss Britt had enough fun and was wiped. This is what Britt and Madeley did daily. We didn’t go back for naps. They just fell asleep in the stroller or while being held and would nap. Those fourth kiddos are so different. Shay and I were laughing about how Ebby Lee and Kensington would have needed a sound machine, their special blanket, their favorite animal, and on and on. Not those two.
I should have taken a picture but we had the MOST delicious fish and chips in England. The next time you head to Epcot, HAVE THESE. Even if you’re not hungry, get them anyway. And you can thank me when you get back. 😉
Then Shay and I hung with the littles while the rest of the crew waited in line for Soarin’. While in line…
Bowen lost TWO TEETH! Not one, friends. TWO! How does that even happen? The guys texted us to let us know and the “tooth fairy” hit up a store to leave a Disney World toy on his pillow the next morning.
Our dinner reservations were for one of my favorite places…Akershus Royal Banquet Hall.
The big boys were too cool {I legit think they went to the bathroom while we were taking a picture with Belle. GREAT planning on their part}. Britt managed one picture, and toward the end Bowen was too tired to keep getting up and down out of his seat. haha!
And at the end of the night, we made our way back to the bus stop.
Sunday, we woke up ready for our Disney Cruise!!
We wasted no time getting beach ready. 😉
Ebby Lee’s cover-up, Ebby Lee’s hat, Britt’s cover-up, Britt’s swimsuit, Britt’s shoes-are sold out-waaah!!, and Bowen’s shoes.
Just look how much they’ve grown!
Same spot just two years later.
Welcome to our stateroom…we had a Deluxe Family Stateroom with a Verandah. To save a little money, instead of Shay getting two rooms and us getting two rooms, we got three total. We put an adult from each family and the big girls in the extra stateroom. {for booking purposes so we could split the room cost right down the middle} This room happened to be right in between the other two. The dads took turns staying with the big girls. It worked perfectly! For families out there with more than three kiddos, it was super easy! We linked my credit card to my guests and Shay’s card to her guests. Super easy!
The view from the other side of the room. Disney Cruise does an amazing job of accommodating guests. At night our room attendant would come in and turn that couch into a bottom bunk and pull the top bunk out of the wall. Then as soon as we left in the morning he’d come in and turn it back into a sitting area.
Someone slept through the entire lifeboat drill. 😉
We headed back up to the main deck for the Sail Away Party!
Mickey and friends were all there!
We got cleaned up quickly for our first dinner.
I know you can hardly see my shoes, but I’m wearing those wedges everyone is talking about. If you’ve been on the fence, you should try them. They’re comfy, cute, and under $80! And Ebby Lee’s shoes are pretty cute too.
Our first restaurant was Animator’s Palate. It was my favorite on our last cruise. {We cruised on a different ship two years ago, but they had an Animator’s Palate as well.} They’ve changed it up a bit and instead of the entire restaurant going from black/white to color they showed a how-characters-are-created-video mid-dinner and had a little show. Super cute!
Love this guy so much!
My dress is from meandmrsjonesboutique in downtown McKinney, but they do have a website.
This girlie was living her best life….macaroni and cheese every night!
This is how my night began. HOLY YUM!!! I can’t remember the exact name but it was some sort of truffle pasta and it was DELICIOUS!
As soon as the kiddos were finished eating, one of us would take them to childcare. Britt {because she was under 3} had to go to the nursery, but all the other kiddos got to go together. They played in there for about an hour. Then we’d pick them up to head to the show.
On the first night, we watched The Golden Mickeys. The show was an award style show that brought out all different kinds of performances. Super cute and a great way to spend the first night!
That’s it for Part 2. Remember, if you missed Part 1, be sure to read about all the fun we had at Disney World. And if you’d like help planning your own Disney World, Disney Cruise or maybe a Disney Land and Sea Vacation, please reach out to us. We’d love to help! {We’re also sending new clients to all-inclusives in Mexico and cruises all around the world.} Shoot us an e-mail and we’ll get some information to you ASAP.
mixandmatchtravelagency@yahoo.com
Happy Wednesday, Friends!
XO
Erika! What a fun time we had!! Those were two of my very favorite days!
What a fun few days!! Also, how sweet is Ebby Lee with Britt? I am loving all of these posts and pictures!! Keep them coming!!
So many great pictures of your amazing time…and all I can think about is that truffle pasta. #imhungry
Oh, I have so many comments! Ebby Lee and Britt. Swoon. And then see this is why we have to go back to DW – we didn't do any of those things at Epcot that y'all did (except Soarin' and Akershush). Lastly, may I just say your hair was ON POINT the whole trip. How do you that?! Ha!
That's what I thought! I rock a ponytail during half of my long trips.
Oh, we love the Disney Wonder! I'm laughing about Britt eating Mac and Cheese every night. Last year when we did a Disney Land and Sea (10 days total between the Parks and Cruise) my daughter ate Mac and Cheese at every meal. I just laughed!
Erika! How fun!! I have loved watching your fun through pictures!!!
My little guy was terrified of all the characters on his first Disney trip at 2.5 years old. The next time we went, he was 6 and all was well! Like you, we didn't force him to take pictures. The few he's in, one of us is holding him and you can tell he things the characters are shady. Ha!
Great photos! Love the camo dress. What size are you wearing?
Ah such great photos and memories! I have a really random question for you. I read both your blog and Shay's and in her post this morning there is a picture of you holding Britt at the character meet and greet at Epcot. I noticed you were wearing a pair of Nikes, and I was wondering what kind of socks you wear with them? I have a pair of Minnie Mouse New Balances I am planning on wearing on my trip next month, but all the no-show socks I currently have seem to like to end up at the arch of my foot. UGH! Are there a pair of no shows you recommend or just have had good luck with?? Unfortunately they are kind of a low rise shoe and the normal ankle sock kind of looks funny, and I am not wanting to have to adjust my socks all day while I am walking around Magic Kingdom! ha! Like I said totally random question, but I am loving the recaps!
Loving the recaps! I absolutely loved your dinner dress the first night on the cruise. Thanks for linking even though it was a boutique 🙂
xo
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
The Britt and Madeley picture…be still my heart! Love all your pictures!! So fun, friend! That Inspired Chick
I just had a question, what does ELS stand for in the pic of you, tab, and Britt?
Where is Ebby Lee’s dress from the evening dinner on the ship? Thank you! Loved her hat you linked to!
So fun! Love all of these photos and so glad I got to meet you guys in Norway! Also, 100% agree about those fish and chips. I was practically raised on them. 🙂
We went to Disney World last year and my daughter lost 2 teeth too! One at Epcot and one at Animal Kingdom. 🙂
Love that princess dinner in Norway – it was a favorite for our family too! Love seeing how magical Disney is for everyone 🙂
Gosh! I have major Disney fever now! I miss everything!
Aw; I have so many pictures with my youngest bawling while we all tried to post with the characters (holding him the absolute furthest away that I could)… after the first try or two we gave up and let him stay in line while his brothers went up. Then he saw chip and for some reason he just LOVED him (not dale– only chip!). He also loved all the princess and other face characters but it was just so funny to see who he gravitated towards.