We loved the tour that explained how they use backdrops like these in the movies to make it look like you are really in a big city.  Fascinating!


We made it to the "Fantasmic" show (which family, friends, and strangers raved about) an hour early to get seats.  It was very entertaining and worth the wait.  Lots of music, colorful costumes, and fun!
10 Things I Learned Going to Disney with My Family of 7
Disney Day 1: Magic Kingdom on Monday (5/26/14)
Disney Day 2: Hollywood Studios on Tuesday (5/27/14)
Disney Day 3: Epcot on Wednesday (5/28/14)
Disney Day 4: Animal Kingdom on Thursday (5/29/14)
Disney Day 5: Back to Magic Kingdom on Friday (5/30/14)
Disney Day 6: Downtown Disney on Saturday (5/31/14) 
 

We decided to visit Magic Kingdom first thing Monday morning and this was our longest day the entire week.  We were at the park from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. (We learned quickly that if you want to jump on rides as soon as possible, then arrive at the parks at least 1 hour before they open...So we should have been at the park at 8:00 AM, but we did early arrival for the rest of our week.) Then we went back to the resort that we stayed in for the week (thanks M.B. for allowing us to stay at your timeshare!) for a few hours, cooked a pasta meal, then went back to Magic Kingdom from about 7:30 PM to 12:30 AM!!!  We hit the pillows hard!

Each day in the parks we all wore the same color shirts which helped keep track of our family members and each person was easy to spot on the rides for photo opportunities :)  On this first day we wore bright yellow shirts.  Here are some pictures from our memorable day...

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster...this was loved by all and so fun!

Splash Mountain...My husband knew how to use the zoom lens to take our picture on the left, while I didn't use the zoom lens to take a close up of my husband's "Y" arms in the picture on the right. 

Pirates of the Caribbean...one of many boat rides filled with fun music, details and beautiful scenery

The Little Mermaid ride....

Disney at dark was amazing!  Here are two pictures of the Electrical Lights Parade.  Lots and lots of lights on floats and fun music! I will always remember when the Rabbit from Alice and Wonderland walked over to my 10 month old daughter during the parade and showed her the lit clock he was holding and gave her a kiss on the cheek.  We caught the sweet moment on video, but I couldn't get the camera quick enough to snap a picture. 

From May 25-June 1, 2014, our family went to Disney World in Florida for the first time. We made the 10.5 hour drive and we were excited to finally see the "Welcome to Florida" sign at a rest area and stretch our legs.  I went to Disney World a few times as a child, but this was the first time with my family.


This was a fun and memorable vacation and we crammed in a lot in our 1 week visit to the four Disney Parks: Magic Kingdom on Monday (5/26/14), Hollywood Studios on Tuesday (5/27/14),  Epcot on Wednesday (5/28/14),  Animal Kingdom on Thursday (5/29/14), and then back to Magic Kingdom on Friday (5/30/14).  Then on Saturday (5/31/14) we visited Disney Downtown, swam in the resort's pool, and went to a Vigil Mass at a local basilica.  


Before I attempt to blog about our fun week (and share a few highlights) I thought I would write 10 things I learned going to Disney with our family of 7...

#10: I learned that people-watching with my 10 month old daughter while waiting for my other family members to get on rides is a great, free way to be entertained and I marveled at just how many different and unique people there are in this world.

#9:  I learned that there are a lot of people who go to Disney many, many, many, many times and that planning for Disney is an art and a science and uses lots of strategy to make sure you don't spend too much time waiting in lines. 

#8:  I learned that some people wear the oddest shoes and clothes to walk around a crowded and hot park all day.

#7:  I learned that arriving at least 1 hour early before the parks open and waiting in the hot, morning sun can be hot and tiring, but is well worth it to beat some of the crowds and get to the popular rides before having to wait for 2 hours for one ride.

#6:  I learned that packing our own food and water bottles really is a time and money saver.  We would have spent a fortune if we invested in the $10 hot dogs each day!

#5:  I learned that Fast Passes are your best friends.

#4:  I learned that taking a 10 month old child helps get you on rides quickly with the Rider Switch passes, which are like Fast Passes.

#3:  I learned that it is possible to take 5 children to the "happiest place on earth" and NOT have one of them whine, cry, or complain about wanting to buy souvenirs that are overpriced. 

#2:  I learned that is is possible to take 4 daughters to Magic Kingdom and not do anything princess related since our entire family enjoyed the coasters and rides together and skipped the character lines, autographs and dress-up boutiques. This saved us time and money too! 

#1:  After meeting and chatting with several people at the various parks, I learned that everyone has their own Disney experiences and memories.  I'm happy to share some of the highlights from our week as another way to savor the fun and memories!

Oh!  and one more thing I learned is that my daughters enjoyed filling out their Disney Journals that I made for them to document their Disney memories, while my son didn't think keeping a Journal was such a great idea.  :)  I didn't print out every page for the Disney Journal, just a few I thought would help my children remember their eventful and fun week!

Click on the links below to read some of our favorite memories during our Disney Days:

Disney Day 1: Magic Kingdom on Monday (5/26/14)
Disney Day 2: Hollywood Studios on Tuesday (5/27/14)
Disney Day 3: Epcot on Wednesday (5/28/14)
Disney Day 4: Animal Kingdom on Thursday (5/29/14)
Disney Day 5: Back to Magic Kingdom on Friday (5/30/14)
Disney Day 6: Downtown Disney on Saturday (5/31/14)

 

Photo Credit: home.catholicweb.com

This past Saturday we celebrated our Goddaughter's First Communion and then yesterday our oldest daughter turned 14 years old!

I really can't believe it!  Is she really that old?  Wait a minute, am I really that old to have a 14 year old? :) It seems like it was yesterday that my hubby and I looked this young holding our first born who was so tiny and sweet!  She's still sweet and now tall! 

Last night we hit the beach with a few of my daughter's friends to celebrate her special day.  My daughter wanted a cheesecake so Sam's Club helped me out in the cake department :)  I can't say I really missed making a homemade cake for my daughter this year, but I did get to use my imagination and creativity with the food thanks to Pinterest! :)  



The "Sunbathers in a Blanket" were just pigs in a blanket that I made with cut-up hot dogs and biscuits.  Those are covered with foil in the above table picture.

All the girls and my children went swimming in the ocean despite the cool temps and wind.  Here are some pictures from our fun birthday celebration:

 It was a fun evening celebrating the life of our now 14 year old daughter!