Your Handmade Home Magazine December 2017

Christmas is a magical time of year. It’s a time when children of all ages
experience pure joy and excitement at the sights and sounds of the holiday.
Our trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida brought a similar magical
feeling to our family, especially our children. It was an experience that I
will hold dear to my heart for the rest of my life.
I went to Disney World with my husband Chris, eldest daughter, Olivia,
son, James, youngest daughter, Hailey, and my parents, who made this trip
possible. This was our first trip there.
Getting to experience this with
my family and my parents was
something extraordinary. We
chose to go to the Magic Kingdom
and we had two days to
enjoy and try to see everything,
which we soon learned was impossible!
On our first day, we all woke
up early, excitement in the air.
Driving up to the exit Olivia
was yelling out “Magic Kingdom
signs!”, James spotted
Mickey hands, Hailey saw the
“Welcome to Disney” sign and
the kids all wiggled with excitement.
We parked the car,
walked up to the transportation
hub, and had to choose between
the metro or ferry.
It didn’t take us long to all agree-- it would be the ferry! As we waited for
the next ferry to arrive, the staff blew bubbles for the kids waiting in line
and entertained them with stickers and secrets of Disney. Smiles were
HUGE as the ferry pulled up and we boarded. We could see Cinderella’s
Castle in the distance growing larger as the ferry got closer and closer.
When we arrived at the park, we walked down Main Street USA, taking in
all the shops and buildings with one of the most stunning features in front
of us --Cinderella’s Castle. In person, it is truly stunning. As we walked
through the castle we took in all of the pictures of the fairy tales on the
walls. The magnificent castle left the kids awe. To see their imaginations
brought to life was a treasure.
After touring the castle, we began the thrill of the rides. Our first ride was
Peter Pan’s Flight. As we waited in line we entered Wendy, John and Michael
Darling’s bedroom where Peter’s shadow was darting across the walls.
Tinker Bell was flitting about, hiding inside clothing chests where her glow
peeked out from the keyhole. She fluttered across the room, flying into a
picture frame, then into a toy ship, teasing the kids to try to find her. Every
time that Peter’s pesky
shadow appeared, enchanted
shadow butterflies would burst
into view flying in all directions.
We finally got through the line
and entered the ride, where we
flew in boats over Neverland.
Beneath us we saw the Lost
Boys, along with the Magical
Mermaids, Captain Hook and
Mr. Smee, as Tick Tock Croc
tried to capture them.