September 15th: Epcot and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
We did not go to Epcot in January, because we heard there was not much for toddlers.... we were so wrong! We thought this would be a relaxing day after our big day in Magic Kingdom, but it actually ended up being one our favorite days! We will not be skipping Epcot again!
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| So excited for a relaxing day at Epcot!! |
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| First stop: Character Meet Up!! Waiting patiently for her turn to meet the Mouse!! |
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| Mickey!!!! Katy Ellis was a little hesitant and fearful with characters at first, but once she saw how excited and happy Blakely was she decided she should be totally excited too! She would hug and kiss them!! Run into their arms! She was so adorable with them! |
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| Love this picture of them with The Mouse!! |
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| Katy Ellis giving Minnie Mouse a "kiss." No, our family does NOT kiss like that!!! Eeee! |
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| One of my favorite pictures of the girls from this Disney trip!! |
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| Riding Figment of Imagination |
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| Blakely and KE loved all the interactive games after the Figment ride! My little musician loved playing the musical games! |
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| Made an AMAZING discovery!! At 11am when the World Showcase opens, there are PRINCESS hidden all throughout the countries!! We found Aladdin and Jasmine in Morocco!! Only like one of Blakely's all time favorites!! |
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| Had an embarrassing moment with Princess Jasmine. I said to Blakely: "Tell Jasmine who your favorite princess is." Blakely to Jasmine: "Ara-girl is my favorite!" Palm to face! |
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| For lunch we decided to surprise Daddy with reservations at Restaurant Marrakesh. He had told us how delicious all the food in Morocco was when he did missions there, and I knew we just had to go! |
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| Katy Ellis and Daddy clapping in time with the live Sitar music. |
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| There was even a belly dancer who put on a floor show while we ate. |
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| But the best part was definitely when she invited all the kids out to the floor for a belly dance lesson. |
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| Blakely and Daddy breaking it down Moroccan style! Heehee!! |
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| Hope to someday travel to the real Morocco with this crew! |
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| Had to watch the Lumber Jack show in Canada and give a shout out to our Canadian grandparents!! |
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| After lunch, we headed home for naps. After naps, we got all gussied up for our fancy night our at the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall!!! |
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| Daddy and his beautiful princesses!! So glad I grabbed some dress up clothes for the to play with on the trip! It was so fun letting them go to dinner as Princesses!! |
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| I had never come to Epcot at night... and it was truly magical! |
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| A little pre-dinner treat!! PLUM WINE SLUSHIE!! Say what?!?!?! A little throw back to my med school days with Kate Powell!! Amazing. |
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| We got there a little early, so we decided to take a stroll through China... and look who we found!! MULAN! |
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| Blakely's castle for the night: The Akershus Royal Banquet Hall |
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| Mug Shot with Belle! This pic just cracks me up!! |
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| My favorite princess!! |
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| Seriously the BEST MOMENT of the whole trip! Ariel is Blakely's favorite princess, and this Ariel was just the nicest ever!! Blakely immediately ran up to her and threw herself into her arms!! |
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| Holding hands with her hero!! Blakely's eyes just sparkled with adoration for Ariel! It was so sweet. |
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| I mean... her face... she is just over the moon happy in this picture!! |
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| Katy Ellis was super excited to meet Princess Aurora!! |
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| Cinderella!!! |
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| Snow White!! This princess really had the voice of Snow White down pat! |
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| Nordic Dessert!! Chocolate mouse, Rice pudding and an Apple Pastry! Yummy!! |
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| After dinner, there was a special Princess Procession and the children were invited to participate. Blakely wanted to do it, but then got scared when she got in line. "Ariel" saw her, called her over and let Blakely lead the procession holding her hand!! Blakely was on cloud 9! She was so proud! |
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| It was so adorable! She led them through the restaurant and had them wave to "all their loyal subjects!" |
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| After dinner, Daddy surprised them with special Princess Prizes to remember their special night! |
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| Epcot at night was so magical. The ground sparkles, there are torches and twinkly lights all around the lake, and the Epcot ball in illuminated. Did not hurt that it was also 70, clear and breezy! *sigh* |
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| Perfect end to a perfect day! |
