The Chunko Family: The Most Magical Place On Earth

Andy's company was planning their strategic planning meeting to be held in Jacksonville at the Ponte Vedra Inn the week of Labor day. They were generous enough to include spouses and children on this trip. Once I looked at the calendar and realized we were going to take the kids out of school for 3 out of 4 days of school, I suggested why not scrap the entire week and spend the long Labor day weekend at Disney World. It's only a 2 hr. drive from Jax and we've been trying for the past two years to make a trip back there for the kids.

So that's exactly what we were able to arrange. Thankfully the company picked up the tab on the airfare, rental, etc. and we were only responsible for our Disney related expenses. Sweet deal, right? The most difficult part of this entire vacation was keeping the Disney part a secret from the kids until we arrived in Orlando! I'm not the best at keeping secrets that I'm really excited about but was hoping for one of those Disney type commercials where the parents surprise the kids and tell them at the airport type of things. Yes, I deserve a big pat on the back because I kept this secret from the kids since April/May until we were eating dinner in Orlando! HUGE for me!

I have to say that Riley started to figure things out once we landed because he could read "Orlando" everywhere in the airport and saw all the Disney, Universal, and Sea World related ads. He wasn't shocked at all once we spilled the beans. Both kids were so wound up that first morning when I woke them. They jumped right out of bed and got dressed immediately! The couldn't wait for their first day at Disney. Kendall remembered nothing of our many trips to WDW when we lived in Jax so this was like her first time. She had no idea what to expect except she was really hoping to see some princesses as well as Minnie Mouse!

We started our 3 day visit to WDW at Epcot. That's the one park we never took Riley to because we didn't think he'd appreciate it as a 3-5 yr. old. That was a good call because he only enjoyed parts of it as a 7 yr. old! Kendall didn't know any better and was happy to see characters and ride a few rides.

Epcot Highlights:
~Kendall's dash to be the first to meet Minnie Mouse for the day - and she was successful! As soon as the characters were finished singing at the fountain, they headed to the meet and greet area and Kendall took off right after them - not caring one bit where her family was! She had made friends with the character handlers on the way there and they introduced her to Mickey and all his friends!
~Test Track was one of Riley's favorite rides at Epcot. He begged to go on it again and again! Sadly, it was the only line at Epcot that was considerably long.
~Germany's Oktoberfest: Andy and I found a beer that we BOTH enjoyed! It's and Oktoberfest beer brewed only in Germany and WDW has a contract with this small brewery that they will not ship to anyone other than Epcot! That beer tasted good before I knew all that info - then it tasted even better! Andy and I have NEVER agreed on a beer - EVER!
~Dinner in Norway with the princesses! Kendall was in heaven meeting all the princesses. We got a family picture with Belle, then got to meet, Snow White, Aurora, Alice and Ariel. Both kids got signatures for their autograph books I made for them as well as lots of pictures to eventually put in them. Kendall made her way to Ariel for the parade at the end of the meal and managed to grab Ariel's hand and not let go for the entire parade! Kendall's excitement through that entire experience were worth the cost of the meal for sure!

Bruce the shark at the Nemo ride

Our little vikings visiting Norway

Meeting Belle and Beast in France!

Pure love and adoration here

We found Pooh and Tigger while visiting England

Too much excitement got the best of her!

Getting ready for dinner with the princesses!

Meeting Sleeping Beauty aka Aurora

She loves Sleeping Beauty

Meeting Alice for the first time

Kendall didn't know who Alice was until this moment, but she fell instantly in love with her - we had to buy an Alice in Wonderland book once we returned from our trip!