Taking a vacation to Florida in February has its benefits: we were blessed with low crowds and mild weather all week. We decided to surprise the kids and told them we were flying to Michigan to visit Pauline (which was half true). Amazingly, they never figured out where we were headed, even after multiple people at the airport asked if we were “visiting Mickey.” Finally, as we waited to meet Pauline at the shuttle bus, we told the kids our plans. As you can see from the video below, they both burst into tears—apparently they really wanted to see their Mimi Pauline! When we explained that Pauline was joining us and that they could visit WDW and see their grandmother at the same time, the tears quickly turned to excitement.
Having stayed at the Caribbean Beach and Polynesian resorts on past trips, we decided to try Coronado Springs this time. Overall, we really liked this resort: central location, moderate prices and better than usual food options for a WDW hotel. The one negative: it took us over an hour to check in. The cast member misheard our name and tried to give us another party’s rooms. Disney is a well-oiled machine, but when the wheels come off, they really come off. Once they realized their mistake, no one could figure out how to fix it—and in the meantime, our adjoining rooms were given away to other guests. Finally, Bryant uttered those words that strike fear in the heart of every Disney employee: “I’m not having a magical day.” The entire reception desk fell silent and someone went to fetch a manager. She quickly rectified the situation (sort of, we weren’t able to get our adjoining rooms, but we were nearby) and promised to make it up to us. Later that evening, after some margaritas at the Mexico Pavilion and some hearty German food at the Biergarten restaurant in Epcot, we returned to find toys, balloons and autographed photos of Mickey and Minnie in our room. That was nice, but not a replacement for our adjoining rooms. Fortunately, the rest of the vacation went smoothly.
We were anxious to see the new Fantasyland expansion, which was still under construction the last time we visited. Although not completely finished (a new Snow White themed ride is still in the works) and somewhat smaller than we expected, the expansion did not disappoint. The Ariel ride quickly became Vivian’s favorite, and she asked to ride it every day we visited the Magic Kingdom. Fortunately, there were fast passes available because the stand-by line was over 90 minutes long—and no ride is worth that kind of wait. We tried the LeFou’s Brew at Gaston’s Tavern (Disney’s answer to Harry Potter’s butterbeer at Universal) and had dinner at the new Be Our Guest restaurant, which was simply awesome. The restaurant is themed to look like the Beast’s castle, complete with grand ballroom, library (where you can meet the Beast) and even the spooky west wing (where you can see the magic rose in its glass case). Not surprisingly, the menu is French inspired. This was, hands down, the best meal of the trip. Elise and Pauline both enjoyed a very nice ($$$) glass of French wine, and Bryant stuffed himself on mussels provencal, grilled steak and pommes frites with truffle mayonnaise. Afterward, the waitress wheeled over an impressive dessert cart, and we each chose a different pastry. We will definitely be heading back here on our next visit. Another highlight of the new Fantasyland was the Enchanted Tales with Belle. It’s basically a meet-and-greet attraction where the kids get to re-enact the story of Beauty and the Beast (everyone gets a part and they perform a little skit). It doesn’t sound like much, but it’s nicely done. There’s also a really cool magic mirror that transports you to the castle and an impressive animatronic Lumiere.
When we weren’t riding our favorite attractions (or standing in line to ride them), we were getting made up like princesses and pirates. Vivian was finally old enough to visit the Bibbi Bobbi Boutique at Cinderella’s Castle and had a grand time getting the full princess treatment. Apparently mom and mimi also got a touch of princess fever because Vivian came home with several new dresses from the boutique. While the ladies were getting sprinkled with pixie dust, Henry and Bryant headed over to the Pirate’s League in Fantasyland so Henry could get his face painted like a skeleton pirate (again). It never ceases to amaze us how our squirmy little boy can sit so still for these things.
It was a fun but exhausting week—we managed to hit all our favorite attractions and restaurants and even added a few new ones. Both kids rode the Haunted Mansion for the first time (and were mostly OK). Henry’s favorites are still the Barnstormer roller coaster and the Maelstrom ride in Norway. Actually, we’re not sure if Henry likes the ride so much as the gift shop afterward. Thanks to his grandmothers, he managed to come home with two more troll figurines for his collection. Henry wasn’t quite old enough to ride the adult roller coasters, but he did make it onto the Dinosaur ride in Animal Kingdom (even if he had his eyes closed for most of it). For Viv, the highlight of the trip was undoubtedly breakfast at Cinderella’s Castle. She simply can’t get enough of her Disney princesses.
Mimi Pauline provided good cheer and some much needed help throughout the week. We’re not sure what the highlight was for her, but she certainly seemed to enjoy riding the Kali River Rapids with Bryant and Henry as you can see below.
As usual, the week went by far too quickly and, before we knew it, we found ourselves at the airport waiting to fly home. Not sure when we’ll make it back for another magical vacation, but something tells us it won’t be long…
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