Disney 2015

As we cruised around Disney this year, I found it very hard to believe it had been nearly five years since our previous visit (rainy day at Epcot last spring notwithstanding). Spanning multiple ages this time, we spent plenty of time dividing and conquering, but we all enjoyed ourselves tremendously, proving once again that it really is a magical place.

Laura's experience was definitely dominated by princesses, and I think that our breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table lived up to her high expectations. The time that Jasmine hopped onto our flying carpet for a ride was truly epic, too, made all the more special when she led Laura to be the first in line for the photo op spot with her (these are typically very lengthy lines).

That said, she surprised me by enjoying the rides themselves so much, including the Barnstormer roller coaster. Which is what prompted us to try Splash Mountain as a family. Turns out she wasn't quite ready for that one.

But these two kids were big into the coasters this time around! Thunder Mountain was by far Danny's favorite ride. Clare loved Splash Mountain, and Space Mountain, too, despite the 80 minute wait she and Tim endured for that one. If only we had more Fast Passes!

The general Disney magic was in the air for most of our visit, and I'm glad we managed to have dinner at the Crystal Palace:

Clare was determined to visit every country in Epcot, which Tim made happen while the rest of us returned to the hotel for a nap and swim one afternoon. The two of them enjoyed a sophisticated, waterside lunch in Morocco (a culinary experience we would not have bet on with her five years ago!):

For our final day, we spent the day at Typhoon Lagoon water park. Phones were left in the locker all day as we lazy rivered (or "crazy river," as Laura aptly named it), wave pooled and slid the day away. Disney did manage to capture this image for us, which sums up the experience nicely:

We were all wiped out from our three days at Disney, but in a way that shows how fully we enjoyed ourselves. Not sure when we'll return, but hopefully in fewer than five years!