We finally took the trip we had been postponing for two years! We headed to Florida to enjoy Discovery Cove and Disney World!
It has been a bucket list goal for our family to swim with dolphins, so when I looked into an option for that, I found Discovery Cove. We spent our first day there and had an absolutely amazing time.
We started our morning with the lazy river, which includes floating through the aviary.
There is a waterfall on each side of the aviary.
So beautiful and peaceful. Also so thankful my kids are such strong swimmers!
Then we headed over for our dolphin experience!
The coral reef area was simply amazing. I'm sad I didn't get more pictures, but I didn't want to have to be holding my phone through all of it! The picture of the stingray captures it pretty well...you are swimming with stingrays and tropical fish! You can reach right out and touch them. Totally awesome.
We headed to another area and could see marmoset monkeys.
We found the otter area.
There is glass between us and the otters but you can still swim under and see them if they are swimming.
We were able to learn more about a tropical bird as well.
Such a great day!
We loved our Disney-themed resort during our stay. The details that make it SO incredibly fun aren't something I want to forget! (So here come lots of pics!) While the kids aren't that big on The Little Mermaid, it made my heart happy as that was one of my favorites as a child!
The kids swam twice and really enjoyed it.
They really loved that they could watch a movie while swimming!
We loved that we could take the Skyliner to two of the parks from our hotel.
This is a favorite pasta salad I can only get at Publix! So yum!
We put in a grocery order and had supper at the hotel several nights.
The bottled waters were especially helpful after long days!
Our first park day had us all starting out at Star Wars Galaxy's Edge (eh hem, after Lorelei and I tried to rope drop Slinky Dog and it was down, we headed there quickly to join the boys...) and we loved the look and feel of all-things Star Wars.
Love that I could capture the look...and shocked I got a picture without a single person in it!
Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run!
The girls headed back to Toy Story Land for Slinky Dog!
Goodness, the giant classic toys were just awesome.
Toy Story Mania was a favorite!
Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular!
The Wookie Cookie! SO yummy.
(So yummy we almost didn't get a cute food pic!)
Right outside of Star Tours
As we waited for Beauty and The Beast I was checking to see if our photos from the day were showing up on the app and stumbled upon a fun photo feature...which we promptly forgot to use the rest of the trip, but at least we got a couple of cute ones!
Loved the shows SO much.
Beauty and The Beast did not disappoint.
So many great songs from my childhood!
Back to Woody's Lunchbox for...Totchos!
(This may be where you are catching on that I did a lot of food research...
We did only quick-service foods but still lots of fun choices!)
Such a great day!
We spent a full day in Magic Kindom taking in all-things Classic Disney!
Our day started with Peter Pan's Flight and Jungle Cruise.
Magic Carpets
Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse
Splash Mountain
(A favorite from the day...)
Lunch at Columbia Harbor House
Liberty Square Riverboat
Micky Ice Cream while waiting for the parade!
Teacups. Loved seeing their smiles during this one.
Dumbo!
Then The Barnstormer, which was one of Makin's favorites from this day!
Supper of shared Ham and Cheese sandwiches and Cinamon Rolls at Gaston's Tavern
The girls took in Under the Sea (The Little Mermaid ride) while the boys went to Buzz Lightyear.
Another favorite (no pic) was the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor show, which we went to twice. :)
Amazing fireworks show!
We loved the projections of many Disney characters and songs on the castle and how they went along with the fireworks!
Tangled Lanterns at night!
Castle all lit up!
One last treat for the night for these two - a caramel apple!
The day began with Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, which was so fun!
(This family pic was in the afternoon!)
I loved that we were there in the spring so we could enjoy seeing the topiaries throughout the park!
By this point, you could do nothing but laugh at how many miles we walked each day.
Makin's watch kept track for us and ranged from 18 -23 miles each day.
Frozen Ever After
Kringla Bakery treats in Norway.
These were one of the kid's favorite food finds.
The Grand Fiesta Tour
An unexpected highlight - the drums show! So great.
Sorin'
Test Track - Makin's all-time favorite.
We went in the morning and then he went again with Brad in the afternoon.
The first part of the ride includes time to design your car, then during the ride, it tells you how well your car did during the various parts of the ride.
After watching Ratatouille we had to try a ratatouille crepe for lunch!
This girl can find an aquarium wherever we go!
This was one of her favorite things. While the boys went to ride Test Track she and I hung out with her favorites, including this manatee that had been injured and rescued.
Living with the Land - unique and we were glad a friend recommended it!
Lorelei really wanted to ride the monorail, so the boys headed back to the hotel while we took a trip.
At this point, corn on the cob for supper is a win. ;)
She and I also got to see Spaceship Earth (the globe) lit up which was great!
Our last day! By this point Brad's ankle was very swollen, so he spent the day with it put up in our hotel room. We were so sad for him to miss out!
Bright and early, up and ready to ride Avatar Flight of Passage
We rode Kali River Rapids twice (they just let us stay on because there was still no line...) and were absolutely SOAKED. On the way off the ride, you can spray people who are still on the ride...this was a highlight for both kids!
Kilimanjaro Safari - another favorite!
The Animation Experience - so cool!
Dole Whip!
Another unexpected highlight - Feathered Friends In Flight
Flame Tree BBQ - Baked Mac N Cheese - Yum
The kids got hotdogs. ;)
I loved seeing The Tree Of Life up close and seeing how many detailed carvings of animals came together to make the tree.
Kevin from Up!
Just a closer glimpse of the carving details.
The Lion King!
A favorite!
That's all folks!
We are so thankful for all the special memories we have of this trip!
