Hooperpalooza: Disney Trip complete…

And now we’re home, with a week of birthdays and Christmas coming up. Oh my goodness!

I don’t want to post too many pictures here, but I can link my pictures to my Facebook account if you want to see all of them. All I have to say is wow! Disney World is amazing! Expensive, but amazing!

Day One: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152950409873000.1073741874.731167999&type=1&l=4bbcecd53d

Our first day there, we went to dinner at Hollywood Studios in Downtown Disney. We walked around a bit that evening and found ourselves back at the hotel turning in early to start the next day off right at the Magic Kingdom. I had a surprise waiting for them when we got back, too!

Day Two: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152950439268000&type=1&l=9a860184d9

We had a drizzly day in the Magic Kingdom and a family issue that came up, but otherwise, the best part was meeting this wonderful family from the UK. Julian and Kate were waiting in line behind us to see Anna and Elsa (which was two hours, by the way!). Scott, in his scooter, struck up a conversation with them. Of course, being his normal charismatic self, he managed to make quite the impression. Later that evening, we ran into them again (what are the odds??) at the castle lighting ceremony (breathtaking, by the way). It was then that we also met Sue, Irene, and Roy, Julian and Kate’s parents. They were all quite delightful. They happened to be in Florida for a long holiday, celebrating Sue’s birthday while they were there. We all agreed to meet up together in the Animal Kingdom the following evening.

Day Three: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152950494078000&type=1&l=4977c63f68

At the Animal Kingdom, I got pulled from the crowd to do an African dance, Melayna loved Expedition Everest (she dubbed it the Yeti ride), we met up with our new friends, and we attended Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party back at the Magic Kingdom. I also ordered Scott a cane that was being carved into. The gentleman was carving elephants in the large wooden staff and planned to carve “Hooper” in it as well. The downside of this evening was when Scott took a spill as he went off of a curb with his scooter. He bruised pretty badly on his bum, but otherwise, he was okay.

Day Four: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152950511448000&type=1&l=7636b9c20e

Wednesday was a day at Downtown Disney where the kids got to enjoy Disney Quest – a five story arcade! It was a more relaxed kind of day. We enjoyed lunch at the T-Rex café, where every 15 minutes the lights dimmed, the ceiling lit up, and the dinosaurs came to life!

Day Five: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152950529278000&type=1&l=ae9924aaf9

Thursday, by far, was my favorite day. I got to spend some quality time with my baby girl. We saw the Frozen sing-a-long show, the Little Mermaid show, the Beauty and the Beast show, meet wizard Mickey Mouse, and go to the Tower of Terror together (her idea, not mine). We finished our day at Fantasmic, a show of lights and water. Disney came through for Melayna, too. Her balloon, which we were using to keep track of her stroller, flew away. We were told to remove the balloon when entering Fantasmic. While doing so, we lost grip of the string and it floated to the sky. An employee saw what happened and later found us in the crowd while we waited for the show to start. He gave Melayna a gift certificate good for up to $25 on any one item at any Disney World shop. After the show, Melayna picked out a Frozen music box, instead of a another balloon (we would have to pop it in two days anyway).

Day Six: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152950549178000&type=1&l=59d0f90909

Our last day was spent at Epcot. The day of puke for me. And not even my own. We got on one of the rides and when I pulled the restraint down, there was someone else’s vomit! Disney replaced my sweater and gave us a bunch of fast passes! We split up and I got to spend the afternoon with Melayna and Tristan. Scott hung out with my dad and the girls hung out with Kate (Scott’s mother). We didn’t get the see the evening show as we had an early morning the next day. But we did get to do a mission with Perry the Platypus in the UK! Lots of fun!