Epcot

We made it to Epcot bright and early Sunday morning. We did it just like the book said and got there around 20 till 8. The gates opened at 9 and we were greeted by Daisy Duck and Stitch. Stitch was not happy that Barb did not bring chocolate for him to eat. In a short amount of time we were able to get autographs and pictures and then off to get the Sorin’ Fast Track in the Lands. We then rode the boat ride in the Lands and some Timon and Pumba upstairs and then back to Sorin’ . . . I loved it! It was so cool you really felt like you were flying.

After that we split up and some of us went to see Nemo and the rest of us went to the ride in the big ball. I went to the big ball and liked that as well. By that time we all got back together and the Whitehurst family (and my mom) went to have our dinner in the German Bier Haus. It was a buffet and it was to die for. I have never tasted sauerkraut that good . . . and the salmon with dill sauce . . . I can’t even begin to explain. Quite obviously I ate too much because I did not miss dinner that night.



That dinner lasted about 2 hours and we were able to see the Umm Pa Pa band play twice. Pretty cool but one Um Pa Pa band is enough.



After that is was pretty much off to the Christmas Processional. I could not imagine Disney putting on such a religious holiday show. However, the show was up to Disney’s standards, as far as their showmanship goes. Woppi Goldberg read the Christmas story from the book of Luke and she was joined by a Disney Orchestra, Disney vocal group, and a massive high school choir from several schools. It was quite a production and I do not think I will miss going to a Christmas Eve Service now. It had to be my favorite part of the trip so far. I don’t think anything could top that.



After the Christmas processional we all went to Mexico and rode the boat ride. I always liked that ride, but it was fun being able to watch the kids on their first trip through. Rachel thought it reminded her of It’s a small world. Leah decided to do some shopping in the open air market there in Mexico and didn’t realize that she had gotten in the way of Donald Duck and his pictures. So as she was looking at the paper flowers Donald was staring her down . . . she turned around and was face to face with Donald (wish I had my camera ready for that one). She quickly realized what had happened, turned around and ran (she was so embarrassed).



By that time Bailey and Brinlee were getting tired so Barb, Brian and Mom headed back for the rental house while my family headed for Norway for a boat ride, then they needed to do some shopping.

After that we pretty much watched the fireworks. They were better than I remember. Oh yeah, and because of our special dinner and Christmas show we were able to receive special viewing for the fireworks. It was pretty nice to be out of the crowds by then. Well it was time to go back to the rental house by then and that’s what we did. We drug our tired sore feet back to the house so we could start all over again in the morning.

Downtown Disney

We made it to Orlando and we brought the Cincinnati weather with us. Saturday evening we pulled into our rental house driveway and we were all very happy to get out of the car. We quickly unloaded our suitcases and various snacks from the trip.


Rachel’s first order of business was to set up the Christmas tree that she had brought from home. It was very cute to see her and Brinlee decorating the tree together. I think that was more important for Rachel than picking out her room, or even looking at the pool (of course it was too cold to go swimming as it was 55 degrees).

Everyone else’s first order of business was unpacking and finding something to eat. We were toying with eating in, as we thought we would be eating out the rest of the week, however no one wanted to cook. So we ended up eating in at Ponderosa down the street and connected with a tacky gift shop. And true to form with 5 children you can’t get out of a restaurant with a tacky gift shop without going through it. We were looking for that perfect gift for Brandon (the boy watching our dog) but the best we could come up with there was a stuffed alligator head or a dead baby shark in a bottle which Lance called shark abortions.

By that time it was about 8:00 and Barb wanted to get her kids to bed so they would be fresh for the next morning. (I couldn’t blame her there) So they went off to the house for bed and we went off to “Downtown Disney” for some souvenir shopping.

The girls were going crazy in the car as we passed each park. It was funny to hear Rachel talk about how she had visited each park in March with the Colerain Marching Band. She was so happy to be about to tell each of her sisters what they would like and what they wouldn’t.

Once we were parked and started walking in, I thought Leah was going to bust. I heard her say to Hannah she was so excited she just had to touch something. With that she ran over and touched one of the poles holding up the Welcome to Downtown Disney West. (I’m sorry I didn’t get a picture of that one.)

We were glad Downtown Disney was open until 11:30. We shopped at several of the store’s there. I think the best purchases that we made there were each of the girls got a charm bracelet. Now when they go to each of the parks they are able to pick a charm they want to help them represent that park. That is Rachel’s thought. I’m not sure where Hannah stands (of course), Leah is just excited to find something that I will let her buy at each store.

We walked around until 11 . . . Enjoyed candied apples and slushies from the Candy Caldron, then headed back to the rental house for bed.