florida vacation: day six-magic kingdom finale

Our last day in Florida was spent revisiting Magic Kingdom and finishing up the last few little things we wanted to see and ride before heading home.

We had to visit the princesses very first thing. My goodness, Halle was in love with these princesses and wanted to meet them again and again. It never ceases to amaze me how shy she gets around them.

She wanted to meet every character so a lot of our day was spent meeting them and also going on her favorite rides a few more times.

Meeting Woody and Jesse.

Meeting Vidia and Tinkerbell.

They actually had the kids walk through an arch of lights that they said was pixie dust to make you small enough to meet the fairies. Halle thought it was for real.

Meeting Buzz.

The girls with their grandparents who we are so grateful to for taking us on this wonderful vacation.

We really love this park and the magical feeling there.

Halle says goodbye to her little sissy as we head off to her special dinner with the princesses.

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Nimer for spoiling us!

Up next is Halle's dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table, the last of the Florida vacation posts, which means I can start catching up on the Bell family happenings from the last few months.

florida vacation: day five-animal kingdom

This trip was our first time exploring animal kingdom.

We actually really loved it although half a day there was all we needed.

Halle got to meet Flik.

She went through a "Bug's Life" phase for a while so that was a nice change from the usual characters we meet in the other Disney parks.

At this point in our vacation Halle had an autograph book and loved getting the characters to sign their names.

The dinosaur ride was a little intense.

She was shaking and I was holding her the whole time.

The neatest part of the park was the animal safari ride.

And of course my camera died right as the safari began. I had never seen live hippos or a lion with a big mane before. The animals they have gathered are really amazing and the ride was so much more fun then just going to a zoo. They have landscaped the safari to look just like Africa and the animals were really amazing.

The big animal tree is also a really neat sight to see.

florida vacation: day four-universal studios

This was our first time going to universal studios in florida, but we were really just there to see the magical world of Harry Potter!

There was the cutest little Seuss land for the little kids.

Halle loved seeing the Cat in the Hat book come to life in a ride. I think they should do that with more children's books.

The main attraction was Harry Potter. I could not believe how magical and realistic they made it look. I treasure those wonderful books and was thrilled to see this little world come alive.

Hogwarts Express.

Down Diagon Alley

Mom and the girls in front of Hogwarts

They had the most amazing simulation ride inside the castle and the castle itself was fantastic to look at as well. Wes and I wanted to spend more time inside just looking around. We had to try butter beer and the frozen version hit the spot on that hot day. We still dream about that drink.

Halle picked out her very own wand and ran around yelling curses.

There was a little roller coaster there that she went on about ten times.

The other parts of the park were great as well.

Again, Halle was tall enough to ride on the Jurassic Park ride, but probably wasn't emotionally ready for that one. She thought the T-Rex at the end was going to eat her.

And as always, Lily was there hanging out

We absolutely loved this park and all the fun rides for big and little kids.

florida vacation: day three-epcot

Epcot is one of Wes's favorite parks in Florida and that was the park we went to next. Halle thought it was great as well.

And Lily found some fountains which kept her busy for quite some time.

Those are some serious thighs on that girl.

We got to meet Chip and Dale.

I think we went on the Finding Nemo ride at least 6 times.

We did the one stop character spots.

Halle absolutely loved all of these guys who she got to see come to life. There is something about meeting these characters who are almost always part of our morning routine back home.

Lily was on a mission to eat Mickey's nose and several other characters facial features.

Oh Disney, you have this amazing ability to make children fall in love with you. Every day was pure heaven for little Halle.

florida vacation: day two-magic kingdom

Our second day was spent at my favorite park, magic kingdom. Walking down main street with Halle has to be one of the best feelings. Everything is so magical to her, especially the castle.

Love going on the rides with the girls.

Halle was tall enough to ride most of the bigger rides including splash mountain. Her little cheeks and body would just shake because she was so scared on every little hill we went down. Just because she was physically ready to go on these rides does not mean she was emotionally ready to go on these rides. What three year old is tall enough to go on splash mountain? She did get used to it and eventually loved it.

What is not to love about this face? She was an amazing little Disney baby

Always a treat to meet up with Jake and experience rides together. And it makes waiting in line more fun too.

her cheeks are so red and flushed because it was so dang hot with all that humidity in florida.

Lily got in on the Haunted Mansion fun.

And then the moment came when Halle met Rapunzel. Most of these characters are so great with the kids. Dreams do come true.

is it just me or is rapunzel standing awfully close to wes?

We passed this set of Minnie ears on the way to the restroom and Halle couldn't get them out of her mind. I showed her many sets of ears but it had to be the pink ones with the crown and the veil. So we got them and she thought she looked gorgeous the rest of the day.

I really could take my kids here every day.