The Blandford Family: Disney 2012!

We just got home from an AMAZING long weekend trip with my parents in Disney World. Being in Disney World with the grandparents is always going to be a special trip, but then you add all the Christmas decorations, Christmas music, a breakfast with the princesses, both sets of grandparents and Aunt Pam and Uncle Joe, amazing weather and our hotel room being right on the Boardwalk, and it was one of the most memorable trips we have ever taken. Thanks to my parents for EVERYTHING - we had so many great meals and Lucy was spoiled with attention and of course souvenirs over the weekend.

There is so much to share but highlights of the trip were:

- Our gorgeous room on the Boardwalk - we were able to walk to Epcot for dinner both nights and it made the weekend so relaxing having the restaurants, bakery and shops right below us. We had a great lake view and huge balcony so we were able to have Pam and Joe/Bill and Chris over each night (although I slept through the events of the last night which included a car tour of the resorts). The resort was one of the best we have stayed at.

- Our first day in Magic Kingdom was a highlight. We really haven't done much at MK since Lucy is just getting into rides, so it was so sweet to see her enjoy it. Lucy went on Dumbo with daddy and again with Papa, and LOVED "Its a Small World" ride. I think we did it two times that day. We also checked out the new Little Mermaid ride and Lucy of course loved it. So did my parents (see pic below, keep in mind it was just the two of them riding together.) We rode the carousel, Lucy got to meet Snow White, and my parents did the Haunted Mansion. I am sure my dad teared up a bit as that was always a first and last "ride" for our family as kids. He can get pretty sappy but now that I have Lucy I know why.

- Our Princess brunch on day 2 was THE highlight for Joe and me. Lucy not only got to meet her favorite princesses, she got to go on a "Princess Procession" two times and I think we all had tears in our eyes seeing how much she was looking up to the princesses and smiling. She couldn't believe she was holding Cinderella's hand :) Lucy got to hug and kiss the princesses and even left the brunch with a souvenir photo and kiss from Snow White that stayed on her face all day. Maybe the early brunch was a bit overwhelming, and maybe we did have a huge meltdown later that afternoon from all the excitement, but it was worth it.

- Our first night (Thursday) we visited Downtown Disney and Lucy napped, so we had a fun night just wandering around, shopping and had one of the best dinners at Bongo's. All of our meals were great on the trip, but that first night was my favorite because we had just started our trip and knew there was so much to look forward to.

- Lucy's love of Le Boufena, a live show we saw after our Italy dinner

- Riding Nemo four times over 2 days - it was a favorite of Lucy's

- Joe, Lucy and me watching the fireworks on our balcony the last night

- Watching Lucy spend time with her Nanas and Papas over the weekend. It meant so much to me!

Really, when I think about the wonderful weekend one of the first words that comes to me is relaxing, which really doesn't fit with a Disney vacation as they are usually pretty hectic. But, we really didn't try to fit too much in, never waited in lines, had a nice long break every afternoon during Lucy's nap, walked everywhere, and had nice dinners each night - Italy and France the last two nights. (Lucy and I missed France but I am sure having Pam/Joe and Bill/Chris at dinner was a highlight for my parents and Joe.)

Lucy, Nana and Papa at our hotel - first pic of the weekend

First ride - the carousel at Downtown. We opted for a seat, but Lucy moved up to a horse on day 2.

Drinks at Bongo's!

Lucy got this great souvenir from Beth, Rob and girls. These Snow White figurines were a staple at all 3 dinners and on the plane. I highly recommend figurines for kids on future trips. She had them singing, walking in lines, going to school, etc. Thanks Beth and Rob!