We picked an excellent day. The weather was perfect - a cool breeze, not too hot, not too cold. The spring break crowds had not yet descended on Walt Disney World. Seriously, I don't know how or why, but it worked out better than I could have hoped. 

I knew it was going to be a good day when we pulled into the parking garage and there were plenty of spots available on the second level (this is the level with the pedestrian bridge to get into Disney Springs). We parked and waited for my sisters. 

Once my sisters arrived, we all headed toward the World of Disney store. This might be my favorite store at Disney Springs. It's enormous. Reagan was on the hunt for a new backpack bag to use as her everyday bag. 

About a month ago I received the greatest text message from my husband. It said, "Call and get a room at Disney for sometime in early September." In the 14 years Stu and I have been together, this is the second time he has ever initiated a Disney trip (The first was our 1st wedding anniversary. He surprised me with a room at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.). Anyway, I called him right away to make sure he hadn't been hacked. 

Then I booked our trip and began counting down the days. For this mini vacay, we stayed at Port Orleans Riverside. It's a gorgeous resort. 

He woke up just as we exited the highway. 

Finally because, as you know from my previous post, I had entertained the idea of hitting Epcot first. Oh well, better late than never. 

And actually, I kind of mislead you. We have one brief stop to make. We spent about an hour at the pool. Coronado Springs Resort has an excellent pool area called The Dig Site. Reagan and I discovered it on our December trip. She raved about the slide for months. Now it was time to introduce it to her bro. Stu chilled in the pool. I reclined on a lounge chair, as is my usual poolside custom. It didn't take long for my skin to feel the effects of the blazing Florida sun. I called it quits at an hour. Buddy returned to the room with me. I left in the nick of time... one more minute and I would have become a painful tomato. 

Who says Disney is only fun for a child's birthday? 

This year Stu turned 40. We threw a party for him at our house the weekend before his birthday. It was awesome. I took the liberty of booking a room at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort for a mid-week birthday extravaganza minivacay. 

One of our favorite dinner spots at Walt Disney World is definitely the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue. The food is great. The show is amazing. The ambiance is playful. 

Our most recent trip to Disney World was to celebrate my husband's 40th birthday. Perhaps you read about his poopy birthday party already. We had fun celebrating at home. But I am ALWAYS up for any excuse to head to Orlando. And a 40th birthday is nothing to shrug off and let simply pass by. I booked us a room at Coronado Springs Resort and got a table at the Hoop Dee Doo. 

*I've written about Coronado Springs before. We stayed there in December 2017. I'll be posting about our experience this time later. 

From the All Star Resorts, you can take a Disney bus to any of the Parks (including the water parks and Disney Springs). We waited for the Magic Kingdom one. 

The buses always remind me of little Riley... he was utterly OBSESSED with them. We had to ride one, even if we had no real purpose in doing so. He just loved to be on them, around them, shouting when we saw them. 

After Stu beat us all on Buzz, we went over to Space Mountain. The standby was ridiculously short, like 30 maybe. And Riley was game to try it. But, as we slowed down in line, he said he needed to go to the bathroom. So, he and I walked out in search of a potty. 

Stu and Reagan had a great time. Space Mountain is her favorite ride here. 

Perhaps you'd like to read one of these:

This trip was simple:

• Drive to Epcot on Monday morning. 
• Pick up our Passes.
• Ride some stuff (we FastPassed a few things).
• Check into the All Star Sports Resort.
• Go to the Magic Kingdom for dinner and more rides. 
• Sleep.
• Wake up early, get to the Animal Kingdom in hopes of making it on one of the new Avatar rides. 
• Ride more stuff at Animal Kingdom. 
• Eat lunch outside of the Parks and head home. 

Not a bad trip, right?

Written By: Lea

My first trip to Disney sealed my fate as a lifelong Disney nerd. I was a 25 year old wannabe Disney Princess that day. No shame. I met Ariel and was practically speechless. No kidding. We waited an hour and a half in line to meet Mickey. No regrets. 

This was before kids!

Fast forward a few years. 2010 found us unexpectedly traversing a whole new world of another kind. The special needs world. 

For parents with special needs children nervously considering a trip to Disney, let me share my tips and tricks.