Christmas at Disney

Okay, Makenna, this one's for you... (it may get a little long)

Thanks to Nana and Poppi (actually more Nana than Poppi), Daddy and I were able to take you all by yourself to Disney the first week of December in 2006. You had just turned four years old. This was also your first time on an airplane. Mommy was a little nervous about how you would do, but you breezed right through it and now you love to fly.

We arrived at Disney's All Star Movies Resort, which you picked out, on Saturday evening. We checked in and our rooom was located in the "Mighty Ducks" section of the resort. You were a little disappointed because we had requested the Toy Story section, but there was a cheerleading and football competition that week and they took up most of that area. You quickly got over it and once we got settled, we headed over to Magic Kingdom for supper. You hadn't been to Disney since you were two, so it was if you were seeing some of it for the first time all over again. We so loved Cinderella Castle as it was all lit up and had dancing snowflakes on it. You couldn't stop watching it as we ate outside of Cosmic Ray's. After doing a few rides, we were wandering around in the back of the park just as the fireworks were beginning. Daddy went to the bathroom and almost as soon as he left, the most wonderful thing happened. Tinkerbell flew out of Cinderella Castle right over your head. You could hardly contain yourself. This has to be my most favorite trip to Disney so far and I have so many wonderful memories of that trip that I couldn't possibly write them all down here. I'll do my best to hit the highlights.

Christmas at Disney has become our most favorite time of the year to go. Disney by itself is so wonderful, but add some Christmas decorations and music, and the whole place transforms into this spectacular Christmas wonderland. The weather that week was interesting, to say the least. We started out the week in the 80's and ended up in the 50's (and windy) by Friday. For the most part, the weather was great. It was so nice to be able to wear jeans to Disney.

One of our favorite things to do was to collect autographs, which you were not able to do on your first trip. Our first night, we bought you an autograph book and pen and you carried that thing everywhere. We had so much fun going from one meet and greet to the next. The crowds were pretty light so you got to have a lot of interaction with the characters. I think one of your favorites was in the Judge's Tent where you were finally able to meet a few of the princesses. Your daddy would want me to mention that I just happened to forget the memory card for the camera at Crystal Palace, where we had breakfast, and he had to go back and get it. He ended up missing you meet the princesses. The picture of you and Snow White is one of my most favorite pictures.

We also went to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, which you absolutely loved. We arrived at the Magic Kingdom around 5:00 and had supper before the party started. We were able to see the show at the Galaxy Theater and the show in front of Cinderella Castle. The free cookies and hot chocolate were great too. We staked out a spot for the fireworks, which you just happened to develop a fondness for. I thought it was so cute how you were sitting in your buggy watching the fireworks and "conducting" the music with your hands. That is a vision of you I will never forget.

After the fireworks, we made our way down to Main Street and quickly grabbed a spot for the parade. We had a little time before it started, so you and I went shopping in the Emporium. While in the Emporium, you were chosen to round up Santa's "reindeer." Several of the Cast Members in the store were wearing reindeer ears and you had go to through the store and round them up. Afterwards, you were presented with a certifcate and everyone thanked you.

Probably my most favorite memory of that trip is while we were waiting for the parade. Earlier in the week, you and I had purchased Christmas "Minnie Ears" to wear during the trip. Before the parade started, a Cast Member directing foot traffic on Main Street and interacting with the crowd, decided to have a little fun. He stole your Minnie ears right off your head and took off running. Without skipping a beat, you got up and started chasing him up and down the street. After a minute or two, he decided to be smart and got down on his knees to run around. At that very moment, you jumped on his back, tackled him to the ground and took your ears back. The whole crowd waiting for the parade cheered and clapped for you. It was the funniest thing, but you know what was bad? Daddy and I watched the whole thing and didn't even think to video tape it...Daddy even had the camera right in his hand. I wish I could go back and do that all over again.

You were also able to visit Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for your princess makeover. Your "Fairy Godmother in Training" put on your makeup, painted your nails and did your hair. They gave you hair extensions and it was so funny, because you didn't look anything like the same kid that we brought with us. You had so much fun with those hair extensions. I think you flung your hair more than Mommy!

Disney created a great thing called Photo Pass which allowed us to get all sorts of photos taken of us together as a family on top of all of the pictures and video that me and Daddy took. I have added several here for you to remember. We had so much fun and I so wish I could go back and do it all over again. Thank you so much for helping to give me these memories that I will cherish forever.