The Last Trip to Disney Before Our Passes Expire

I know how lucky we are. We get to live less than an hour away from the most MAGICAL PLACE ON EARTH...so, we do what we can to take advantage of it. We find online coupons, utilize the military discounts and save here and there so we can go and have fun there...even if it is only for a night.

This weekend, we decided to utilize our passes, just one last time, and go to Epcot & Hollywood Studios. We stayed at the Yacht Club -- which, if you have never been -- is a MUST STAY AT resort. The room itself is nothing to write home about. It's the pool. It's not just any pool. It is a pool with SAND! So, you get the best of the beach and the pool, in one place. My favorite part is that the pool was 2 feet deep the entire way across, so both kids could walk around, play with sand and "swim" without us having to hold their hands the entire time. I absolutely loved it. And *gasp* I could have stayed there the entire time, without even having gone to a park!
The landscaping was so pretty and the weather was perfect...couldn't resist getting a few pictures with the kids! No need to prompt Riley to ham it up, but Ronan said "cheese" about a dozen times...

Why he puts his hands in his mouth all the time, I'll never understand...

And my precious Riley...I had a picture of her looking at the camera, but somehow, I was sporting a double chin -- so you know there was no way I was going to post that one!

I think Riley actually did a great job taking this picture of Ryan and I. Usually, I'll just do the self-portrait, but we braved it and let her take control of the "camra" -- at least for a few seconds before crazy man tried to take it from her!

We went to Epcot, which was only a short boat ride away from the resort. There isn't a crazy amount of stuff for kids to do, as far as rides go...but the countries are fun to be in and now, they have this Kimpossible scavenger hunt-type thing that gets the kids involved in every country. Riley loved this aspect of it and was stoked when Ronan finally fell asleep, because she was able to participate in it peacefully. Once our "Little Kicker" (see above picture) woke up, though...it was pretty much over for the game. Maybe this summer when we go again with my parents, Riley will get to complete some more missions!

And what Disney trip of ours would be complete without a character breakfast. We dined at Hollywood & Vine with the Playhouse Disney characters, again. I didn't mind, though. The food is delish and the kids love the characters. It's worth every penny.

Usually, Riley just smiles and says hi, but this time around, she was so excited to see them...not sure what changed for her, but it was a good experience for all of us. And yes, Ronan killed some major Mickey waffles there. So there they are above with June (from Little Einsteins). And below, with Goliath (from JoJo's Circus).

It was hard to get Ronan to look at the camera because he was so enthralled with the characters.

He looks like he just woke up (which he did). And Miss Riley, hamming it up as usual. Oh, and the best part of this breakfast, was that they did this conga line. Ronan wanted to do it but didn't want to go without his big sister. And Riley, well, she wanted nothing to do with it, but we begged her to just walk up with him and she wouldn't have to dance...he just wanted her presence. So, the music started and there Ronan went, without Riley! He walked around the restaurant with the rest of the kids and at one point, Leo grabbed his hand and escorted Ronan around the tables. Ronan looked shocked that he was actually holding hands with "Wee-Oh." It was such a cute moment...

How could you not love these guys...they are always smiling...you never have to tell the characters to say "cheese!!!" Haha. I crack myself up.

After breakfast was over, we hurried over to the Toy Story Mania ride and tried to get fast passes...but the lines for that were ridiculous. We opted for the 45 minute stand-by wait (which was really only 20 minutes) and got on our favorite ride there and left the park shortly afterwards. We needed to get back to that amazing pool!

Oh, here is Ronan laughing because I told him I was going to tickle him. He actually grabs his belly like I'm going for it...

And no post would be complete without a picture of Riley posing by the flowers...

We had such a great time and I'm actually sad that we don't have the freedom to go whenever we want with the annual/seasonal passes. I feel so lucky that we were able to go as much as we did...especially because I never had the chance to go as a kid...and here are my kids who have gone over a dozen times in the their short lives.

I can't say we'll never go again, though! The military was offered a special deal this year for 5-day passes, which we couldn't pass up...and with the grandparents coming for a visit this summer, we are going to take full advantage of the time with them and hit up the parks to make their visit magical! (I'm so Disney cheese, huh?)