We dropped off Tutu in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday morning after we disembarked the Fun Ship. Boy - - whenever I hear the words Fun Ship I shiver as it’s not how I remember it at all!
We headed up to Orlando to check into our hotel room with hopes that we wouldn’t encounter happy-go-lucky drunks at all hours of the evening. We were lucky as the hotel was close to the airport so it was mostly businessmen and women and some families. There were also the traveling sports teams so it was a good mix of guests. We arrived after nap time and didn’t know what we’d do so we looked at opportunities. Ryan realized that the Magic Kingdom closes at 11pm so why not go there for several hours and get a good half day’s worth of fun in at Disney World. Why not was the answer!
Off we drove to the Magic Kingdom and the boys were tickled to be at the park. They loved the animal people mover from the parking lot and loved the monorail we had to take to the entrance. It was stimulation overload for them - - and for us! It was PACKED!
We thought it wouldn’t be packed because it was so cold outside but everyone had the same mindset as us. 
We only had two pairs of long pants each and two sweatshirts so I certainly was ill-equipped to handle the Florida weather at this time of the year.
The first ride we decided to do was the Haunted Mansion. I didn’t know if it would be too scary but one of the haunted mansion staff members scarily told us the kids that it wasn’t scary - - just haunted. I thought that was sweet. As we wound our way in the long lines, the kids handled the wait very well considering all the lines we had to endure on the Fun Ship. We passed the “graveyard” for the ride and Eban was curious as to the reason why there were headstones in the “cemetery”. Eban was very scared of them as he didn’t understand why the headstones would “kill” the people under them. Ryan had to explain that they were markers for people not the reason why the people were dead. This conversation went on for a while. The boys handled the rooms very well. In fact, we were laughing and making scary noises so the boys did too. Their eyes were filled with delight with the “antics” of the mansion and we all squeezed into the ride which took us all over. They saw the ghosts flying and saw the ghost sit with us in the ride and they laughed and immediately wanted to ride it again after we got off. I was not expecting that eager response to the haunted mansion ride. Even Jack was enthusiastic and wanted more ghosts.
Of course, one of the next rides was the roller coaster. 
The train ride. Eban and Ryan went on it as I waited at the end of the ride with a very tired Jack Jack. Eban came off that ride with a grin bigger than I have ever seen. 
Next it was my turn to ride the ride with him (see photo of us in line). Disney is really nice about providing both moms and dads an opportunity to ride with their kids so I was able to “fast pass” up the ride with Eban so I could take a spin on the roller coaster with him. I swear Eban has no fear. He happily screamed his entire head off the whole ride while laughing hysterically.
We went on to other rides but these were the highlights of our first night including the fireworks and light show at the castle. 
Eban and Jack stayed awake for the entire show. 
It was almost 10:30 and we had to buy blankets to help us deal with the chilly night but shortly thereafter, the boys were out like lights. 
In fact, Jack, who is our homebody, finally told us that he wanted to stay as we were wearily putting him in the car to leave. Jack always wants to go home - - no matter where we are. So this was a first as we heard him sleepily tell us that he wanted to stay.
The next day was another bone-chilling day at Disney World. We thought it wouldn’t be packed but we were wrong. We rode all sorts of rides. They loved the Haunted Mansion again, we had to ride Dumbo (Eban rode it twice), 
we went on Tinkerbell, Aladdin’s carpet ride, the train (three times), etc. 
Jack took a nap in “It’s a Small World” and I ran into many other moms who said if they want their kids to fall asleep, that they take them on that ride. It worked like a charm until we got out. He promptly woke up and was ready to take on the stimulation of Disney World. 
We saw Tigger and Pooh at one point. 
Eban was so sad that they didn’t stop by to say hi to them that he broke out in tears (as evidenced by the attached photos).
Eban also tried to ride Space Mountain and missed the height minimum by an inch. Next year, he’ll definitely be big enough and the attendants gave him a pass to the front of the line for the next time we come. I can’t wait to pull that out and use it as he was heart-broken not to be able to ride another roller coaster. He’s our little adventurer - - for sure! I have to say that while the weather was not cooperative for us while we visited Disney World, the kids loved it! And I loved it because they loved it. They were good while waiting in all the maze-crazed lines, they minded themselves, and had minimal tantrums. I can’t wait to go back as crazy as that seems. That place is like candy for the kids…and for me too! Next time, we’ll visit more of the parks as Jack will be old enough to ride on some of the wee rides.
The following day we visited Sea World.
The highlight was definitely Shamu and watching the orca act. The boys loved the killer whales and I did too 
- - it was more than captivating! If I weren’t working at JWU, I’d be at Sea World working with the animals in some capacity. I loved it. I had no idea that there were little orcas and then Shamu. I noticed that no one swam with the big Shamu but the trainers would swim with the little ones. I wonder if they swim with the big Shamu when the crowd isn't watching? Anyway, the big Shamu has the easiest act of all because all he (or she?) has to do is come out and splash the guests. It’s a good gig as long as he/she gets the necessary exercise he/she needs, etc.
Sea World also had a great kiddie area. 
The boys romped around rope lines, went in tea cups, went on a mini-roller coaster, etc. They loved hanging out in this area. There was also a Polar Express ride which the kids were too small to go on. 
I guess it’s a simulation of the train ride - - instead, we had to watch a short 8 minute version of the movie. We knew it by heart but the boys were good while watching it. They had the polar bear and some other animals in this area following the ride. They even had Santa Claus and we stopped by to say hi to him.
The kids started going a little stir-crazy after a while. We ate lunch on a patio where Eban promptly put his hand in bird poop
(this picture was snapped immediately following the incident). He was not happy and it started going downhill fast after this little incident. We were going to wait in line to see another good exhibit when he started pulling plants out of the ground. I told him if he continued that we’d leave and after the second tantrum, it was time to go. We left in the afternoon but it was time as the kids needed less stimulation as it was overload for them - - and thus, us too, because we had to deal with them.
That evening we had terrible seafood at a restaurant in Orlando but thank goodness for the lobster tank as that kept the boys highly entertained. In fact, this last picture is one that Eban took of Jack and me in front of the lobsters. Not bad for a three year old photographer!
We returned to Denver needing rest from our vacation. The boys got their H1N1 shots and our New Year’s Eve was nice as we stayed home as a family. We were sleeping by 10pm - - some excitement, huh! But it was what we needed following our exciting trip - - without a doubt.
One little Shamu - - throwing a girl
Papa and the boys on the tea cups at Sea World
