Labor Day Weekend

We went to Disney World for 3 days and nights this Labor Day.  We have season passes and just came off of our summer black-out dates.  A long weekend was the perfect time to go back!  My parents stayed with us in Orlando, but didn't go to the parks with us.  Usually I like to stay on Disney property at the Pop Century hotel, but I didn't want to pay the "rack room" rate for 3 nights(no good discounts for us on this trip).  I found a good deal on a hotel (Comfort Inn) and lets just say,  you get what you pay for!!  It wasn't too bad, newly remodeled rooms and great location.  It was annoying that none of the ice machines in our building were working, but oh well.  We have stayed at this place before, but it was only 1 night and we were dog-tired when we arrived and basically just went to sleep.

My sweeties sleeping

The crowd level was very low, we walked right onto every ride! I was afraid that since this was a holiday weekend that it would be insanely crowded, but we have never seen it so un-crowded. This trip was a little different from our previous trips because my kids are becoming such big boys!!  S is finally 40 inches tall so we got to go on a couple big kid rides.  On Saturday we spent the morning at Magic Kingdom. Whenever we go to Magic Kingdom, we have to do the Buzz Lightyear Ride and the Tomorrow Land Speedway.   We headed over to Splash Mountain next.  I am scared of this ride, but Hubby loves it and he thought that Z would to.  So, they rode it and S and I waited in the short line to see Woody and Jessie from Toy Story.  He was so excited the whole time we were waiting in line, but when it was our turn the kid lost his mind!  He  ran off screaming and crying.  So, I totally looked like that mom who forces her kids to go see characters for the cute pictures even though the kid is terrified of the characters.  So, I tried to chase after him while wrestling with our big double sit-and-stand stroller.  He did this one other time with Mickey and Minnie (he HAD to see them) after waiting in line for almost an hour.  Z and Daddy had to leave to go potty, so I think he loses his nerve without big brother with him.  Z and Hubby finished the ride, a new favorite!  He loved it and wanted to go again, but we had lunch reservations at Epcot.

A horribly far away pic of Z and Daddy (see the red hair?)

Coming down the mountain!  (I really wish I had my zoom lens on!)

I wanted to embrace our German heritage (me by marriage!) and made our lunch reservations at the Biergarten in the Germany Pavilion.  This was definitely one of our favorite Disney experiences ever!!  Sausage and beer!  Plus polka music!  We shared a table with a fun Dad and his 3 sons.  They were great dining companions, good conversation and the boys all entertained each other.  As soon as we sat down we (the 3 adults) each ordered a liter of beer.  I love me some beer, but was a little worried that this would be too much for me to drink, the guys talked me into it though.  The we hit the buffet.  I had never had German food before, but am pretty adventurous.  They had a bunch of sausage, sauerkraut, meatballs, hot potato salad, chicken schnitzel (kids loved it), and the desserts.  (omg the desserts!!)I really wanted to eat more than I did, but the liter of beer really filled me up.  The polka band was awesome, so much fun.  The kids and I got up and danced, they love to boogie.

Awesomely long horns

Oh lordy a liter of beer!

Z diggin the music

After lunch we sloshed around the World Showcase.  It was so effin hot!  Seriously like walking on the sun.  We decided to go back to our hotel and go swimming.

S passed out in the stroller (never happens)

The boys in front of the big ball

Sunday we went to Disney Hollywood Studios.  Toy Story Mania and Star Tours, plus a few of the shows that we hadn't seen before.  Z was soooo excited to go on the Star Wars ride!  We had never gone on it before because S wasn't tall enough.  They are closing it down for some refurbishment, so I am glad we got to ride it.  No line so we rode twice.  (no pics because I didn't feel like lugging around camera bag)

Monday we went back to Magic Kingdom and all the rides were walk on, no lines!  This time we all rode Splash Mountain together.  Z said this was his favorite part of our whole trip.  Poor S had to pee so bad, he was a little miserable.  It didn't help that we got soaked.  I really wish he had told us before we got on the ride!  Luckily he made it without having an accident.  We headed home after riding a ton of rides.  I totally recommend coming on Labor Day Weekend!