Our Magical Vacation to Walt Disney World (Part 1)

We arrived at the Polynesian Resort a little after 9 am on Sunday the 27th and instantly felt that magical excitement people talk about when you are anywhere near Disney. I went to the reservation desk to check-in (knowing that we probably wouldn't get our room until late that afternoon -- but we needed our keys to the world for our meal plan...) and was completely shocked to find out that our room was ready! But it wasn't just any room. It was room 2502 in the Hawaii building, complete with concierge service and I joke you not -- a room with the perfect view of Cinderella's Castle at Magic Kingdom. When the lady at the desk told me where we were staying, I started crying. I couldn't believe how hooked up we got. The pixie dust was definitely sprinkled around our family that day. The concierge service came complete with "continental" type breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with as much beer and wine you could possibly handle. I had us all set-up with the Deluxe Dining Plan (which basically gives you 3 meals a day plus 2 snacks a day!) and then to top it off with all the food at the hotel, I was prepared to leave Disney weighing 15 pounds heavier than the day we checked in.
We were all super excited to get into our room and get settled...but I couldn't contain myself knowing what we were given that day. The view was amazing. (I guess it was worth the $700 a night we weren't paying!)
So...our first day there, we had breakfast at the hotel and headed off to Magic Kingdom! If you have never been there, to see the Castle in person is breathtaking and the energy in that place is contagious. I was probably more excited than the kids to be there! We ate lunch right across the way from Pirates of the Caribbean at a place called El Pirata y El Perico (pretty good tacos!) We then stood in line for Pirates for 20 minutes before being told that the ride was closed for repairs. Major bummer, but it didn't bring us down. We left Magic Kingdom shortly after and headed back to the Polynesian to relax until dinner. Riley was sick before we left and still sick when we got there, so we stayed in the room to rest while Ryan and Ronan took a little speed boat out for a spin around the Seven Seas Lagoon. They loved it and even though I wished Riley and I could have gone, it was good she got some sleep.
We had dinner at the Whispering Canyon Cafe (in the Wilderness Lodge) and personally, I loved the food. We had this "All You Care to Eat" Skillet that came complete with ribs, corn, pork, chicken and all the barbecue fixins which was delicious and extremely filling. Riley had the macaroni and cheese -- which she didn't finish -- and Gino Casino, our server, called her out to the entire restaurant telling everyone she didn't eat her meal. The restaurant is known for their silly antics like that, but Riley didn't think it was funny at all. She got really embarrassed and upset so dinner was pretty much over at that point.

We headed back over to the Magic Kingdom for their Extra Magic Hours and we were able to ride 5 rides that night, in less than 3 hours! We finally were able to get on Pirates, Peter Pan, "it's a small world," Aladdin and Winnie the Pooh.

It was truly a magical start to the best family vacation (and only family vacation so far) we have ever had!