Birthday at Disney!

We celebrated Henry's 7th birthday in a big way - by going to Disney World! His birthday fell right in the middle of April vacation week this year, so we had perfect timing. Henry was SO excited leading up to our trip. Elliot had no clue what was going on. I will say that age 2 is not the best time to visit Disney. It was more complicated this year with naps, strollers, and all the various issues that come with the Terrible 2's (a phase Elliot has decided to embrace whole heartedly). But all things considered Elliot was a trooper and did very, very well.

We arrived on Tuesday afternoon and met up with Grandpa Tim and Nene who were able to join us for the first two days. We took the boat from our hotel over to Downtown Disney:

Where Henry's Mecca - The Lego Store - was.

We had dinner at the Rainforest Cafe - which freaked out Elliot a little bit, but he recovered nicely - then had our first of many, many ice creams.

Upon returning to our hotel, Henry discovered the special birthday delivery we had arranged for him:

Wednesday was Henry's 7th birthday!!! He was fully outfitted with his birthday ears and birthday button, so almost every "cast member" who saw him was able to shout out a happy birthday, and he got various unexpected treats throughout the day (like a birthday cupcake at 8:30 AM!). We started out the day with our traditional breakfast at Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary, where Mickey and friends walk around to greet you. At Henry's first Disney trip at age 3 he was slightly terrified of all the characters, but Elliot surprised us all by LOVING them!

After breakfast we headed to the Magic Kingdom for the day!

It was a lot of fun. Henry was VERY excited to be tall enough to go on Space Mountain (he takes after me and my roller coaster love). Elliot loved all the rides, which surprised me. Even the Haunted Mansion (He kept saying "Ghosts! BOOOO!!!") On our first trip through The Pirates of the Caribbean (Henry managed a total of 4 trips throughout our visit) we sat in the front row of the boat and got SOAKED, but even then Elliot was fine. Here he is intently helping blast aliens on the Buzz Lightyear ride:

After nap time back at the hotel we headed back into the park for a birthday dinner at Tony's on Main Street:

Thursday morning we said goodbye to Grandpa Tim and Nene and headed to the Hollywood Studios park to meet up with our good friends the Munds, who were also at Disney for spring vacation. It was Henry's first time at Hollywood Studios and he went on the Tower of Terror two times, and his first upside down rollercoaster with me (he loved it!). Hollywood Studios also has the Star Wars ride, which of course was a huge hit for Henry. Henry and Jake had their pictures inserted into a photo of Jedis at one gift ship:

This park wasn't as much fun for Elliot (not as many younger kid things to do), but we got him in to see a Disney Junior stage show which he loved, and the Honey I Shrunk the Kids play area (where he got lost and had to be rescued by staff. But that's OK)

Elliot was so wiped out from his morning there that he completely passed out on the way back to the hotel:

But of course the instant we put him into his bed he woke up and wouldn't go back to sleep no matter what we did. Oh well.

That evening we headed over to the Polynesian hotel with the Munds for the Disney Luau!

This was really fun. Great food, fun dancing and fire dancers! (Henry was mesmerized):

Friday was our last day and we had planned on going to Animal Kingdom. However, Henry decided at the last minute he would rather go back to the Magic Kingdom, so a quick changing of reservations and Fast Passes later (the new Disney app for your phone was amazingly useful!) and we were on our way. This morning did not begin well. Elliot was TIRED and had a crying fit all through breakfast. Mike had to take a conference call so I was on my own with the kids for the first few hours, and the trip into the park on the monorail was not pretty with tantruming Elliot. However, as soon as we arrived we walked right onto the Small World ride - and Elliot made a 180 degree turnaround. Happy as a clam, singing along and pointing at everything.

We spent the morning in the newly expanded Fantasy Land, where the kids loved the new Little Mermaid ride (we went on twice in a row) and both kids loved Dumbo (Henry particularly that he is now old enough to fly his own elephant). Then Mike was able to join us so we could take turns with Henry on Space Mountain yet again.

Then it was back to Boston (and freezing weather!) the next day. As always, Disney was a magical trip, and this one was particularly fun due to Henry's birthday. We can't wait to go back in a few years!