Disney in Review - The Parks

Oh, the parks! I have such a hard time comprehending the amount of imagination and hard work it took to create the four main parks of Disney World.  They were each spectacular in their own way, offering up their own magic and good times!

Our park line-up looked a little something like this:

Day 1 - Magic Kingdom

Waking up at 4:15 in the morning will do it to ya.

Day 2 - Hollywood Studios

Day 3 - Magic Kindgom

Have you ever cried through a fireworks display? Go see "Wishes" and tell me tears don't prick your eyes.

Day 4 - "Off" day - Typhoon Lagoon (read: lazy river)

Day 5 - Epcot

Day 6 - Animal Kindgom

Day 7 - Hollywood Studios

I've been asked a few times which park was my favorite and, although I originally answered with Hollywood Studios, I honestly don't think I can say one was better than the other.  They were each special in their own right and are the homes to memories that will leave a lasting impression on this mama's heart.

Although, any day now, my mind's eye can let go of the image of Ethan losing his ever-lovin' mind in the middle of Epcot.  I'll call five days of little sleep and no meltdowns a massive success, but boy did he make up for it...

Thankfully, he and I were able to do something super special together before he freaked out on us.  Our travel buddies told us about a place in Japan at Epcot where you can choose an oyster from a bed of rocks and watch them extract a pearl from it.  Christy has a tradition of having her kids pick out an oyster for her each time they go, and she encouraged me to do the same with Ethan.  I am so glad I did.  Ethan picked a great one, and I had the pearl set into a gorgeous new ring!

Now that's my kind of souvenir!

I'll leave off with a few other photos from each park, and I'll be back later to share our favorite rides...

The man and his mouse in Magic Kingdom

Hollywood Studios at night

"Wishes"

Goofing off in Epcot

Post-breakfast dancing in Animal Kingdom