The Happiest Place on Earth

There might not be an experience more exciting as a young parent than seeing your child experience Disneyworld for the first time. Jeremy and I recently had the pleasure of taking Cooper to Disney with our good friends, Derrick and Heather Hood, and their oldest child, Hannah. The trip was exhilarating and exhausting all at the same time, but to say that we didn't want to come home after 8 days would be an understatement. Most nights, we shut down the parks, and Cooper was a trooper for most of the week. We discovered pretty early in the week that the heat was his biggest weakness, so we headed back to the room most days after lunch so he could nap during the hottest part of the day. Then, we'd head back around 4 or 5, have dinner, and close down the parks. Cooper and Hannah loved Magic Kingdom the best, so we spent 3 different nights there. We managed to squeeze in a few big rollercoasters here and there by kid-swapping and with the help of the FastPass system at Disney. And we are so happy that the Hoods went with us. They were fun and flexible, and just all-around great traveling companions, and great friends.

We enjoyed a really great dinner at Ohana restaurant, thanks to the recommendation of my good friend Ashley. We also did the princess lunch at Cinderella's castle, which was a blast. (And the food was pretty good, despite what some had told us. I highly recommend the Shepherd's Pie!) Cooper loved seeing Buzz and Woody (picture below) the most, and the new Toy Story Mania ride at Hollywood Studios was one of his favorites. But coming in at the top spot for Coop was the classic Peter Pan ride at Magic Kingdom (I just don't see the attraction....). Too bad he slept right through it on our last night there after we had Fastpassed it around 6 and got a 10:30 timeslot (that's right, Cooper is not the only 3-year-old who thinks Peter Pan is the greatest ride on earth).

We look forward to taking him back in 3-5 years, when he is old enough to ride the big stuff too. We were so grateful to be able to take this trip, and it will probably go down in the Bussell book as one of our best family vacations ever!

On the flight to Disney. Can't wait to get there!

Yes, I am about to cry at the Beauty and the Beast live show.

Snow White, Coop, and Hannah, at the princess lunch.

A big hug from Cinderella.

Cooper's first trip to the castle.

Belle's kiss left a mark.

And his favorite, Aurora.

Waited a long time for Pluto, but it was worth it.

The Monsters Inc. guys' hands were too big to sign autographs.

I'm 3 (that's him holding up his fingers following Rosetta's question).

Cooper's second favorite movie.

Highlight of the trip. Cooper, meet Buzz Lightyear and Woody!

The Bussells meet the Mouse Family.

Coop, loving him some Tinkerbell.

Friends forever!

Dad, Son, and Buzz Lightyear.....priceless.

Cooper and Hannah loved the pool at our resort, Caribbean Beach.

The Hood Family (minus sweet Hunter, who was staying with NeeNee this week).

Right before the meltdown when we realized that Coop left his stuffed Bullseye (Woody's horse from Toy Story) on the Dino ride. Yep, someone stole it.

The Hoods at Wolfgang Puck's in Downtown Disney.

Hannah let Coop borrow her light-up Mickey ears.

Waiting in line for Ariel show.

Nemo exhibit at Epcot.

Jeremy skips the "spinny" rides.

Fireworks over the castle. Yes, sitting on trashcans.

Fell asleep on Small World; right before the Peter Pan Fastpass time.

Last night at the park; couldn't end it a better way.