Day 4 - July 7th - Jungle Adventures, and the Beach
We had planned to do two days of Disney parks, take two days and do other Florida things, and then spend two more days at Disney parks, giving ourselves a short break in the middle of the Disney days. This idea was suggested to us by my cousin, Jess, and was a great idea. Disney park days can be very LONG, fun, and exhausting days. So taking a small break to do other fun things was perfect for our family.
On Saturday, we got up and around and headed for Jungle Adventures. A natural Florida habitat for many jungle animals, including the Alligator. Eric and I went to Jungle Adventures 15 years ago on our honeymoon. It was a cool experience then and we thought it would be fun to visit again and take our kids there. As we left the apartment that morning we saw letters in the sky. An airplane was skywriting as we left Orlando.
On our way to Jungle Adventures we discovered this native to Florida, (Tortoise) in the road. We pulled over for a closer look and to move it off the road.
Below, at the entrance to Jungle Adventures. If you are planning a trip to Florida and would like to see some Alligators of all sizes up close, and even get to hold an Alligator, consider visiting Jungle Adventures.
Right behind Silas, on the other side of that fence, is a HUGE Alligator. It was about 13 feet long, with giant feet! It didn't move while we were standing there looking at it, but when we walked by later, he was not laying there anymore. We were told by our guide that the largest Alligator living in their habitat right now is about 15 feet long.
Phoebe wasn't afraid to get close to the fence and this big 10 foot Alligator.
Sarah wasn't so sure about the Alligators but she did like this female Peacock that kept following us around.
Our guide told us lots of information about the Indians that use to live in Florida, the homes they built, and the tools that they used. She did an Alligator feeding demonstration. There were LOTS of Alligators in these waters.
To watch the demonstration we stood out on a big covered bridge. Sarah was very nervous about getting on the bridge, so she stood at the edge. She kept thinking about the bridge collapsing and all of us falling in with the Alligators in the water below.
She did come out onto the bridge for a family photo!
Next on our tour was the boat ride through the swamps. This was another thing that made Sarah a little nervous...the thought of the boat sinking in the Alligator waters or the thought of an Alligator jumping up on our boat with us scared her a little bit. In the picture below you can see the boat we rode on and if you look closely you can see an Alligator at the top of the water swimming towards the boat.
The boat ride was very neat. Our guide was very knowledgeable and provided lots of information about the Alligators and Jungle Adventures.
The last part of our tour was hands-on. Everyone could choose whether or not they wanted to touch our hold the animals that our guide was going to bring out for all of us to learn about. First up, the two foot long, two year old Alligator! (My favorite part of Jungle Adventures.) We each got an opportunity to hold it.
What was your favorite thing about Jungle Adventures?
Eric - the memory of being there on our honeymoon
Stacee - holding the baby Alligator
Sarah - holding the baby Alligator
Phoebe - holding the baby Alligator
Silas - watching the lady feed the Alligators
Next, the five foot long Ball Python. Silas was first to attempt holding it, but got scared when the snake's head was turning toward his arm and he dropped the front half of the snake's body. He did however keep a hold of the back half of the snake's body and it dangled from his hands until our guide quickly scooped up the front half and helped him hold it. You can see by his face he wasn't thrilled with the snake. He told me later that he thought it might bite him.
After Silas got scared and dropped the front half of the snake, I leaned over to Eric and whispered, "You know now that you HAVE to hold that snake, right?!?" And, he did.
Lasly, our guide brought out a Cinnamon Skunk. This skunk actually use to be someone's pet until they realized Skunk's don't make very good pets. The owner then donated the skunk to Jungle Adventures. It is a "Cinnamon" Skunk because of it's white and tan coloring. We did not get to hold this animal but we could all touch and pet it.
When we left Jungle Adventures we headed to New Smyrna Beach. New Smyrna beach was were Eric and I stayed on our honeymoon. We had a motel right on the beach and enjoyed lots of walks on the beach that week looking for shells. We found a parking place got our swimming suits on and got in the water!
We borrowed a boogie board from Jess. The kids had fun trying to ride the waves.
After about 10 minutes of being in the water Eric came up into the shallow water with me. He was super upset with himself... He had worn his glasses out into the water and the ocean had claimed them. He didn't even know they were gone until he realized things looked fuzzy. Good thing he had a pair of contacts in the car to go put on.
Silas liked going out "far" in the water with Daddy.
Phoebe just absolutely loved the water, the sand, and looking for shells.
Sarah really enjoyed the beach too. She liked going out in the bigger waves and looking for shells.
We stayed at New Smyrna Beach until it started to rain. Then we loaded up and drove down the coast to Cocoa Beach. The sun was going down so we walked along the beach looking for shells before we went to eat dinner that night and stayed at a hotel.
Day 5 - July 8th - The Beach and Disney Springs
On Sunday morning we woke up, checked out of our hotel, ate a quick breakfast at Dunkin Donuts, and headed back to Cocoa Beach.
We spent a couple hours at Cocoa Beach playing in the water and looking for shells.
As we were getting ready to leave Cocoa Beach we discovered a small crab. Some people nearby gave Silas an orange slice to try to feed to it. It was fun to watch it move fast all over the sand.
Eric - walking the shores of Melbourne Beach
Stacee - looking for shells
Sarah - going into deeper water and holding Daddy's hand
Phoebe - finding shells
Silas - going out far but not getting the salt water in my mouth
Beach selfie: Eric, Stacee, Phoebe, Sarah, and Silas.
After we left Cocoa Beach we drove south to Melbourne Beach. It wasn't as populated there and the beach was very different than New Smyrna or Cocoa. The waves were bigger, the sand softer and not as compact, and the water got deep faster. There were many more houses there that lined the beach instead of hotels. Later that afternoon on our drive back to the apartment in Orlando, Silas fell fast asleep. Vacation can be exhausting for a 5 year old.
That evening we went to Disney Springs with Jess. We walked all around the shopping village and ate dinner that night at Planet Hollywood. Planet Hollywood had a fun atmosphere. The kids liked seeing some of the props and costumes on display around the restaurant from movies that they recognized, like "Home Alone".
The kids below, with some of the props from the movie "Home Alone" and "Home Alone 2".
In Planet Hollywood we were seated on the second level and had a great view of the huge screen playing music videos and movie clips.
After we ate we walked around Disney Springs a little more, stopping in a Disney souvenir store and the Lego store.
The big Buzz and Woody, and the Hulk were all built out of Legos.
Day 6 - July 9th - Magic Kingdom
On Monday morning we got up and rode the monorail into Disney's Magic Kingdom.
We got to meet Daisy Duck and Minnie Mouse.
Silas tried his hardest to pull the sword from the stone, but just couldn't make it happen.
Andrew works at the "Be Our Guest" restaurant inside Magic Kingdom. He got us special dinner reservations that day to eat dinner in the Beast's ballroom at his castle. (Normally reservations would need to be made months in advance to get to sit down and eat a meal in this restaurant. We are grateful to Andrew for getting us a special reservation at a fantastic table!) We arrived at the castle on time and were seated in the center of the ballroom where we had the perfect view of everything, including the Beast when he woke up from his nap and came to greet all of his guests.
Although you can wear whatever you have on at the park that day to this restaurant, don't be fooled. It is a fancy place to eat with an amazing atmosphere. Our waitress, Andrew and Jess's friend, was great! The food is expensive here, but it was very good. We had a great meal and an amazing experience.
The dessert cart was even amazing!
Phoebe and Sarah each had the "Gray Stuff" for dessert. It was DELICIOUS! The rest of us all had cupcakes.
After we finished our meal we walked around the castle. In the West Wing we saw the famous rose, the mirror, and the paintings.
Eric - walking through the castle
Stacee - eating in the ballroom
Sarah - trying the gray stuff
Phoebe - seeing the Beast
Silas - seeing the rose and eating dessert
My Mom's favorite ride from the Disney parks has always been the "It's A Small World Ride". As we waited in line to ride this ride I actually tried to facetime call my Mom. She didn't answer though. It actually is a very cool ride filled with many things to look at throughout the entire ride.
We all took a turn riding the giant carousel.
That night we stayed till close and watched the fireworks show from inside the park, in front of the castle.
The fireworks and light show was SPECTACULAR!
And, just like I remembered from when I had been there before, Tinkerbell finishes the show by flying down from the castle and landing down on Mainstreet.
We had one last fast pass to use after the fireworks that night before we left the park. It was for Splash Mountain. Splash Mountain is one of the BEST rides in the entire park. Below you can see the picture of us coming down the giant hill at the end of the ride. Sarah and I were in the front. Then Eric and Phoebe in the second seat, and Jess, Silas, and Johannah followed in the third seat.
Day 7 - July 10th - Magic Kingdom
Tuesday, our last Disney day, our last family vacation day... driving into the parks for one last walking, sweating, fun-filled marathon of a day.
We rode the ferry into Magic Kingdom today and took some pictures on Mainstreet USA Disney with the castle in the background before riding any rides.
We went to the Hall of Presidents show. A great show that should NOT be missed in Magic Kingdom; It is a show filled with American history and our great leaders.
Some of you may or may not remember the Country Bears, but I do and I did not want to miss The Country Bears Jamboree show.
Eric - The Hall of Presidents
Stacee - The Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
Sarah - The Carousel of Progress
Phoebe - The Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
Silas - The fireworks show and the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
Eric - Beauty and the Beast, Toy Story, and Monsters University
Stacee - Toy Story 3, Beauty and the Beast, and The Aristocats
Sarah - Aladdin, Frozen, and Brave
Phoebe - The Little Mermaid, Monsters Inc., and 101 Dalmations
Silas - Cars 3, Planes, and Coco
The parades down Mainstreet are fantastic! Lots of very cool floats and tons of Disney characters!
Our longest wait for a ride during our entire vacation was for the "Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin". I thought I was getting us all into an approximately 40 minute wait for this ride, but it turned out to be about one hour of waiting for this ride. It was a neat ride, but not worth the one hour wait. As you ride your spinning car through this ride you shoot a laser gun at targets. Your laser gun keeps track of your score and you can compare with others in your group at the end to see who the winner was. There is also a camera somewhere throughout the ride that takes pictures of everyone shooting their laser guns.
One of our fast passes on this day was for the Tomorrow Land Speedway Cars. All three of our kids were excited about these cars because they all got to drive them by their selves. Although Sarah was the only one who could reach the gas pedal and steer. Silas had to have Jess run the gas pedal for him and Eric ran the gas pedal for Phoebe.
The Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor show was hilarious! It is an audience interactive live comedy show. Right after we walked in and sat down Eric's picture appeared on the big screen with the words "this guy has the urge to get up and dance". It took Eric only a second to realize he was on the screen and he seized his opportunity. He hopped out of his seat and began to show off some of his best dance moves. And, on and on it went singling out other adults and kids in the audience and getting laugh after laugh from the entire audience.
Silas got to help out at the "Enchanted Tales With Belle" story. Then when the story was over he and Phoebe both got to meet Belle and get their picture taken with her.
Who are your favorite Disney princesses?
Eric - Belle, Cinderella, and Jasmine
Stacee - Merida, Cinderella, and Belle
Sarah - Jasmine, Merida, and Elsa
Phoebe - Ariel, Aurora, and Tiana
Silas - Jasmine, Tiana, and Belle
Before the last ride of the day (Mine Train), Park selfie: Eric, Stacee, Silas, Johannah, Phoebe, Jess, and Sarah.
Eric - Splash Mountain and the Haunted Mansion
Stacee - Splash Mountain and the Haunted Mansion
Sarah - Splash Mountain and the Tomorrowland Speedway Cars
Phoebe - Splash Mountain and the Jungle Cruise
Silas - Space Mountain and Splash Mountain
Eric - The Beast and Goofy
Stacee - Minnie Mouse and the Beast
Sarah - The Beast and Minnie Mouse
Phoebe - Belle and Joy
Silas - The Beast and Belle
And, we all agree, our favorite of the three Disney parks that we got to go to was Disney's Magic Kingdom.
We had a wonderful vacation. Thank you again, Andrew, Jess, and Johannah for letting us stay with you, the park passes, the parking passes, discounts, and being our personal tour guides! We all had a great time!
