Orlando Trip with the Watkins

Last year the big Christmas gift for the kids was a trip to Orlando. The Watkins happened to be planning a similar trip as a Christmas gift, so we decided to join together for the ultimate combined family vacation. We were able to secure seats together on our Southwest flights each time. The older girls generally sat together and then the younger kids would either sit together or with their parents. 

 We got in pretty late to Orlando and got to bed to gear up for 5 straight days of amusement parks. Day 1: Magic Kingdom. 

 We got there right at the start and ran to Thunder Mountain and walked right on. We enjoyed comparing Disney World ride to Disneyland Rides all day. 

 We hit every ride we wanted and even made it over to explore Tom Sawyer Island which was super fun. Had several caves and a fort to explore.

 Tron was the big new ride that we had to wait in line for quite a while, but it was fun- although Camden was totally terrified by it. 

 We ended the day with the Seven Dwarfs ride which was so fun and not something that can be found at Disneyland. Then, we closed the park down riding space mountain back to back I think the kids went on it 3 times in a row. Day 2: Hollywood Studio. Another full day we ran to Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad first to walk on. It was a darling ride and has one part where Daisy is leading everyone in a dance and twinkle toe Mitch made his ballet arms and then everyone followed suit it had us all cracking up. 

 The kids ran into Frozone. 

 They happened to have a Percy Jackson preview going that day which just made Liv’s day. 

 All the kids went on Tower of Terror (they loved it). 

 We loved Rise of Resistance. One of the Imperial Order people tried to convert the boys to their side in Star Wars land. And it was really fun to ride the Slinky Dog Roller Coaster (a super fun coaster you can’t find at Disneyland either) in the Toystory land which was just darling. Everyone loved Slinky Dog so we closed the park down with that and then quickly jumped in line to ride Toystory Mania one more time.

 The sad part was that the Rock N Roll coaster that plays Aerosmith was closed Cam really wanted to check that out, but we walked over to it and took pics with the huge guitar. 

 Day 3: Animal Kingdom. This park was unreal like walking right into the jungles of Africa. 

 It was almost like a fancy zoo built in ancient ruins with amusement park rides. We opened the park on the jungle jeep tour. Then, we ran to Everest which was a favorite overall whole trip ride for lots of people. We went to a really cool bird show. Lots of trained tropical birds doing tricks (one parrot sang the entire Old McDonald song) 

 We made it on one Avatar river ride (which was cool but a little snoozy) and then rode a train over to an area that had a petting zoo and animator that taught the kids how to draw caterpillar from A Bug’s Life.

 Then, Derek, Mitch and Carter ditched to go catch the BYU basketball game. Carter loved seeing the players and getting autographs after. 

 We rode the newer Avatar ride and then ran to close down the park on Everest one last time. We were probably the last group to make it in line before closing and rode the last ride of the night! 

 Day 4: Epcot. My biggest regret of the trip was not getting a fast pass this day. We had some long lines and never got to ride the Frozen ride. I would have loved to have spent less time in line and more time exploring all the countries and sampling all the food. We had the best fish and chips in “Great Britain.” The kids really loved the test car ride- they got to design their own car and compete against others in speed, road handling and such.

 Epcot was cool because at the end of every ride they had these fun games and interactive activities. After finding Nemo there was a full on aquarium and we got to see a dolphin wave and pose for the camera.

 Prior to the trip Camden had watched a Disney World documentary and leaded the had a Coke products from around the world test center. The kids enjoyed testing all the free sodas, most of which they deemed disgusting. 

 We found Joy and there was a neat Living on the Land ride which floated you through Disney worlds green houses it was pretty neat. 

 Our longest 2 hour wait was Ratatouille. I distracted the kids with a choose your own adventure story that last most of the wait time. We also played headbands a lot of the phone while waiting. Everyone decided that ride was not worth the cray long wait. But, everyone did love the new Guardian of the Galaxy ride that was where we ended the night it was another favorite ride of the whole trip for some people. Day 5: Universal Studios. We originally planned to have two days at this park, but by this point we were all so exhausted from open to close amusement parks for 4 days straight that we squeezed it all into one day. Although, we totally could have spent two days there. Carter did not like the scary jump out at your part of this park and towards the end of the night was just done riding rides. I somehow got nominated the adult that accompanied all the kids on the upside down roller coasters. Scariest ride of my like was Velocicoaster. This thing had only a lap belt and dipped you down the steepest plunges and corkscrews over water- but the kids loved it. Harry Potter world was really cool. It really looked like you were walking the streets of Hogsmead and Hogwarts. 

 And riding the Hogwarts express between the two was super cool. 

 We did get rained on, but we pulled out the ponchos and kept going. I loved the hot butter beer- we also tried regular and frozen. We found the Scooby Doo Gang which were so cute and talked with the kids forever.

 Probably my favorite ride of the whole trip was the Hogwarts Motobike ride- we closed down the park with this ride and had another 90 minute wait, but it was worth it! 

 Day 6: We slept in! Went to the Orlando City walk outside of Universal studios. Shopped for souvenirs and got lunch. 

 Had lots of photo ops. 

 Then, we went back to the hotel an let the kids play in the pool. We ended that day doing baptisms in the Orland temple.

 It was both boys and Addie’s first time. It was a neat experience, they each got to do ten names and the temple president actually came down and visited with us and shared his testimony in the down stairs chapel for a bit. Ended the night at TGIFs right by our hotel. 

 Then, the next day, completely exhausted, we all flew home. Still all great friends after a whole crazy week together. I was proud of the kids for keeping up on school work during the trip.