We thought we would leave Florida with a bang and what better way to end a road trip than to spend a week at the happiest place on earth; Walt Disney World Resort!

We stayed at the Port Orleans Riverside Resort which was on campus, so to speak, which made it easier and simpler to return to the room for quiet time and then head back to the park for dinner, some shopping or more exploring.  We purchased day hopper passes, which allows you to jump from the Magic Kingdom to Epcot and then to Hollywood Studios all in one day, but they were a little lost on us as we usually stuck with one park, went back to the room for bit in the afternoon to watch tv or play or nap and then head out again for our supper reservation.

We are all hooked too!

A glimpse into our future…a boy with a car!

I like that everything is so well done at Disney.  We went to a few, nice sit down restaurants in Epcot at a French place, a Morrocan restaurant and at a German Biergarten.  All the servers and staff are actually from the country, speak the language and they serve very authentic food.  It was fantastic to converse with them, ask them how they came to Disney and learn a little bit more about their country.  We ate some excellent food at Disney!  Does that surprise anyone else?

We spent the first few days at the Magic Kingdom, doing rides and taking in some shows.  Then on to Animal Kingdom for two live shows, Finding Nemo and The Lion King, an African safari, a few rides and supper at Tusker House which served an African themed buffet.  All of us enjoyed the buffet style meal.

We’re here!

Our mask faces!

Monday was Epcot where we did Spaceship Earth in the big golf ball, Soarin’ which is my personal favorite and a few others.  We ate dinner at the Restaurant Marrakesh which was delicious Morrocean cuisine.  They had live music and a belly dancer for entertainment!

If I had to guess, I think Tuesday was the highlight of the week.  We hit Hollywood Studios and lined up before they opened the gates and made a beeline for the Jedi training centre to sign up the older boys to fight Darth Vader.  They give you a time and you come back later in the day for the kids to become padawans and learn how to use a light saber with a Jedi Master.  Then, when the training is over, storm troopers come out, Darth Vader emerges amidst smoke and the infamous Imperial march theme playing in the background and each padawan takes a turn at striking down Vader.  James and Matthew were totally thrilled and thoroughly enjoyed that!

Mattie is going head to head with Darth Vader!

James is getting direction from the Jedi master.

Matty on a speeder bike.

Richard was also involved in the live Indiana Jones show as an extra.  They simulated a real movie set with stunt guys, guns going off, trucks flipping over and things getting set on fire.  The boys were impressed that their dad go to be in the show and Richard had fun too!

We decided to return to the Magic Kingdom for one last kick at the can, so to speak.  We hit all of our favorites one more time; Big Thunder, Splash Mountain, Barn Stormer and we even hiked up through the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse.  Kinda cool.  We went back to our room and had naps before venturing out to Epcot for our supper reservation at the German Biergarten.  We stayed for the IllumiNations, the nightly fire works show that Disney puts on.  It was amazing!  Music, lights, some voice over, special effects and the actual fire works display was awesome!  Again, everything at Disney is so well done!  We were all impressed.  What are a great way to end our week there!

We met Goofy! We especially liked the Goofy Barnstormer ride.

Thursday, our last day, we returned to Epcot and did a few more rides, including the newer Test Track by Chevrolet where you get to design your own vehicle, pick your car shape and paint color and then you race!  It was cool and the boys thought that it was very cool!  We had reservations at Chefs du France for lunch.  French onion soup to die for, quiche and sandwiches for the entree and sorbet for dessert.  So yummy!  A few hours of wandering around Epcot, catching up on some things to see and do as the weather wasn’t great the last time we were there and then it was time to go home.

All pooped out by the end of the day!

Stroller parking! We got lost in this maze a couple of times.

A real live steam train!

We were all exhausted, but we agreed that it was a fabulous week.  Another once in a lifetime opportunity for us and a great way to end our year long adventure.
Now, back to Hollywood Marina with a week left to pack up and fly back to Alberta.

The man who created it all, Walter Disney himself.

L