I wasn't quite sure if our boys were old enough to enjoy Disney yet. But we had a blast! And Jim and I both said that this was as relaxed and care free as we have felt since the boys were born. Disney's really got the magic down!
7 kids (including me and Melissa) in the Melivan heading to Disney!
Boy it was a long 7 hr car drive (more hours with stops along the way), but traveling together was so much fun!
There was a little bit of sleeping, but not enough to fill all the time ;)
And then we made it to the Disney Resort, and into the Wilderness Lodge!!
We checked in and got our magic bands
(these held our room key, our dining plans, and conveniently our credit card info for ANYTHING else we wanted to buy!)
We tried to eat dinner with the family at Whispering Canyon in our lodge that night, but it was already very late and we had been in the car ALL DAY LONG, so my wildebeests were restless. Plus we still needed to unpack and get the room set up for the kiddos, etc. So we stayed for a quick gallop and then went up and ordered room service.
The boys got right down to business being wild in the Wilderness Lodge.
In the morning we had an early (7:15 am) breakfast with Chef Mickey, so we all hopped on the boat to head to the Contemporary! Our little Jack Jack sweet potato woke up with the same eye infection Mason and I had experienced the week prior. I felt so bad for him! But he was a trouper, and found a way to enjoy Disney none the less.
I love the character breakfasts! We got to see Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald.
Then there was some monkey business on the monorail ride over to the Magic Kingdom
Magic band in action!
Stopped for a little selfie and some professional photos at Cinderelly's Castle!
We were on our first ride in no time - except both boys asked to get off their horses before they even started. We just sat on one of those stationary benches instead.
Connor and Mason tested out their strength, but couldn't quite budge the sword from the stone
There were quite a few trips through "It's a Small World". The line was short, Jackson LOVED it, and it was air conditioned!
Mason said, "I think it's called Small World because small kids like Jackson can ride it."
Mason said, "I think it's called Small World because small kids like Jackson can ride it."
It was pretty hot there, but Sassy had developed a pretty good system <3
The first roller coaster was 7 Dwarfs Mine Train. Mason loved it!
He also really benefited from the "parent swap" on the rides. One of us would take him on the ride, then the other parent would get to go without having to wait in the whole line, and Mason would get to go along a second time!
Jim even took the boys on the magic carpet ride by himself so that I could go ride on Thunder Mountain with the bigger kids.
We went back at the Contemporary that evening for dinner at The Wave and of course some more shenanigans.
There was a serious thunder and lightening storm that night, but we (the Jr. Lockards) decided to wait it out and head back to Disney for some evening rides. It drizzled on us a bit, and the fireworks were delayed by over an hour, but we got to go on a lot of rides and had so much fun!
Pretty excited about the Buzz Lightyear ride. He even got Buzz Mickey ears.
I love the expressions they captured of us shooting at Zurg through the ride.
I went back and bought Mason a big Buzz Lightyear toy while he and Jim were on another ride. That was his main souvenir from our trip.
I went back and bought Mason a big Buzz Lightyear toy while he and Jim were on another ride. That was his main souvenir from our trip.
It was fun to watch the fireworks from across the water. Mason was actually taking his first turn on a "real" rollercoaster, Thunder Mountain at night, in the dark, and while the fireworks started going!
Jackson was NOT interested in the fireworks. He just snuggled in to me and kept saying "no" and "night night!" We ended up inside a gift shop waiting out the big "booms".
Jackson was NOT interested in the fireworks. He just snuggled in to me and kept saying "no" and "night night!" We ended up inside a gift shop waiting out the big "booms".
Lots of fun, lots of rides!
Here we are leaving the park at midnight, right as the electrical parade was starting.
Jackson made it all the way to the boat dock before falling asleep, ha!
Though we didn't get to bed until 1 am, we still set an alarm for 7 am to get up and get back at it!
You can really see poor sweet Jackster's eye infection on the left.
And I LOVE our 4th of July kisses on the right!
And I LOVE our 4th of July kisses on the right!
First up: Peter Pan! We went through once while the line wasn't that long, and then went through again right away using our Fast Pass!
The pic on the left is one of my favorites. Mason was EXACTLY 40", so he could ride on Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain! The video is pretty fun too, watching his sweet face enjoy the ride!
Splash Mountain
Jackson slept through lunch, but thankfully they had an exception to their "no strollers" rule at the restaurant that if your kid was sleeping you didn't have to wake them ~ Thank You Disney!
Lovin some time with our family!
All the cousins in jail with Zurg!
On the 4th, we only stayed at Disney until after lunch. Then we intended on naps, but since Jackson had dozed off, we decided to just push through the rest of the day. So, we did some swimming at the Lodge!
That night the whole family ordered pizza for a low key dinner.
We rested up (watching Disney Jr of course!) and went to bed after dinner, while the rest of the family had their turn for a night at Disney.
The next day we had to pack up and check out :( (though we still had 1/2 a day at Animal Kingdom!). When our car was brought around, the windshield had a massive crack! So that was a crazy start to our morning, but we still made it to our Tusker House breakfast on time!
Despite waking up with a fever added to his eye infection, Jackson was in a great mood. He was feeling the music and jamming with some spoon drumming (the kinds of things you're allowed to let your kids do when you're at Disney!)
And again, we got to enjoy breakfast with a lot of our Character friends!
Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and Daisy!
Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and Daisy!
Then our main event at the Animal Kingdom was the Safari.
We got to see so many neat animals! (But it was really hot)
Jackson was really enjoying it, but then he fell asleep. zzZZ
<3 Sweet cousins together <3
Then it was time to start our long trek back to Pensacola. Our sweet little boys both crashed in the car!
Poor Jackson didn't get much of a souvenir on this trip, but he sure enjoys playing with Buzz too!
We all had SUCH a great time! Mason kept asking, "can we come to Disney every day??"
I wish we could too, Buddy!
I wish we could too, Buddy!
