Days 1 and 2

Day 1: After arriving in Orlando, we took "The Magical Express" to Disney World and checked into our hotel, Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. The kids were thrilled to see Steve's parents, Nana and Papa, and we all spent a relaxing afternoon at the hotel.

Day 2: We were up early and waiting at the gate when the Magic Kingdom opened Monday morning. Disney puts on a cute little opening show featuring Mickey and some of the other characters arriving at Magic Kingdom on the railroad. I have to say the magic of Disney totally captured me as I watched my little girl taking it all in. Caroline's eyes were as big as saucers when Snow White was one of the passengers on the train! And then . . . walking into the park and seeing Cinderella's castle. There are no words to express her awe.

We spent the morning on the rides. October is one of the quietest times at Disney, so we were able to do lots of rides with virtually no waiting. Caroline loved Dumbo, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, It's a Small World, Cinderella's Carousel, and Peter Pan's Flight.

William was amazing the entire trip. He kept busy making friends with every person who smiled at him and charming his Nana and Papa. William thinks being carried around all day is just about the best thing ever, so he was one happy, content baby cuddling with all of the adults in the Bjorn all week.

Next we were off to, for Caroline, the main attraction of Disney World: the princesses. We visited Ariel in her grotto and then met Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Belle at the Hall of Fame. I spent a lot of time this week wondering what the "perfect" age is to visit Disney World. Even though Caroline was obviously too small to enjoy many of the larger rides and we had to limit our time in the parks to accommodate both kids' needs to rest, I think this was the ideal age to be totally caught up in the fantasy of Disney. Caroline is obsessed with the Disney princesses (which I find hilarious since she has seen about 1/2 of Cinderella and that is it for any of the movies - Disney marketing is certainly working!) and she totally believed what she was seeing was "real." To watch her hug and talk to the characters who dominate her imaginary play was awesome. :) I'm so happy she had this experience.

I'm a little disappointed with my princess pictures. First of all, you don't have much time in with them as other children are waiting, and it is hard to get a good shot because there are so many people around. But I should have turned on my flash. And after Erin and I just had a talk about that, too. :) On our way out of the park, we caught another show in front of the castle featuring the princesses. Princesses with their princes, curtsying and blowing kisses. Three-year-old bliss.

We left the park for lunch and naps back at the hotel, and then spent a fun afternoon swimming at the pool before heading over to the Old Key West Resort for dinner. And after putting the kids to bed, Steve and I took the boat across the lake to Downtown Disney and had a date! A perfectly magical first day at The World.