Walt Disney World, Part 1

So finally on November 4th we arrived at the ultimate destination of the entire trip...Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL.  Disney has been somewhat of a Holy Grail for us.  We had planned to go there about 3 years ago but the plug was pulled due to some unexpected expenditures for an ailing pet.  So, some 1.5 years ago, the idea was presented to have a TAC (The Airstreamers Club) rally at Fort Wilderness which is Walt Disney World's campground.  So, of course, we signed on.  After 1.5 years of discussion and planning by a number of people, the date was finally upon us.  For all by Andrea, this was the first time to Disney World.  Even so, her last time at Disney was when she was 6 so even the check-in "cast member" at Fort Wilderness awarded her a "first time visitor" badge just like the rest of the family.  We checked into FW (Fort Wilderness) at about 12:30pm so we weren't going to a park that day.  Instead, we hit-up Downtown Disney and then went back to the campground in time for our meet and greet.  Unfortunately, I neglected to take any pictures at the meet and greet.  I think this was mostly because it was dark.  Something that I've never had to consider in a rally is daylight savings time.  Usually when this time of year rolls around the campers are long since winterized and stored in the barn.  So, when the meet and greet started, there was still some daylight.  By the time is was over, we were trying to find hors d'oeuvres and wine bottles in the dark.  So, still great for socializing...not so great for pictures.

At the T-shirt shop in Downtown Disney.  We didn't buy shirts, but the  pose-behind setup just couldn't be resisted.

The dragon and boulder in the background is all made out of Legos.

The dragon is Legos, too.

This was an "archaeological dig" site in Downtown Disney.

Parker had to have a Perry.  He chatters if you squeeze his foot.  Parker was having conversations with Perry on the bus ride back to the campground.

Of course, Mason had to have a Lightning McQueen car.

Taking the sea life quiz before going into "Talking with Crush"

One of the hands-down best things we did while at Disney was the "Special Agent P" adventure in Epcot.  There isn't a lot for kids at Epcot, but this was a diamond in the rough.  It was even fun for the adults.  You stop by a kiosk and a cast member gives the kid(s) a cell phone.  The phone is specially programmed to work the kids through a mission for Special Agent P (Perry's alter ego, for the non-Phineas and Ferb-watching readers).  You have to select one of the countries within Epcot and then go there.  The phone is setup to work specifically in that country.  You go to where it tells you or shows you and then you have to perform a task or give a response to the phone.  It was really neat in that Parker would enter the response and then something would happen right before us.  Honestly, it was awesome event as an adult.  I wish we would have started it sooner because there was something to do in every country of Epcot but we only did one.

Reading a message for Special Agent P

Obtaining a top secret message from an informant.

We found a clue!

This picture doesn't really do the experience justice.  Parker took a picture of the Norway sign and  then it opened (think window blinds) and played a song and movie.

Waiting for the Toy Story ride.  All rides at Disney have an entertaining wait.

In line to meet Buzz and Woody

This is in the "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" play area.

Here comes Handy Manny!

This was an unplanned food stop.  Our plans for the entire trip were to go back to the camper for all meals.  We found that we didn't execute that well so this day we went to the Wolfgang Puck Express restaurant in Downtown Disney.  Wow, what a treat and for not more $ than we'd spend for the family to go out at home.  So, Foodie stop #4...brick oven pizza and spaghetti.  It was GREAT!

The boy eats like his daddy.