Downtown Disney

Our first trip to Disney World two years ago was very planned out.  We stayed at a Disney hotel, did the Disney meal plan...just Disney'ed it up.  ;-)  So we decided this year to go totally opposite.  We stayed in a nice Embassy Suites down the street from Disney World and did all of the dining on our own and rented a car.  We were surprised that the kids loved the "E" hotel (as they called it) more than the Disney hotel we stayed in before!  I did miss a little of the "Disney magic" of staying on property but it was nice to come and go as we pleased and not worry about waiting on shuttles.  We are undecided about what we will do the next time we go but I suspect we might stay at the "E" hotel again.  ;-) 

  The first day we got to Disney World we didn't have a full day to go to a park so we decided to go to Downtown Disney.  We had plans to go there the last time we were at Disney World but then Mondo got sick with the plague so we had to cancel those plans.  We had heard a lot about the downtown area but didn't really know what it was.  We actually went the first and last night we were there so these pics are from both of those nights.

We ate at Planet Hollywood for the first time.  The kids loved it!  Lots of things to check out.  And yes, I know we have those in Texas too.  ;-)

The boys were newly into Legos which was perfect timing.  There was a big Lego store in Downtown Disney.  There were some amazing displays inside and outside of the store. 

I mean, seriously, how long did THAT take to put together?!  Is it really ALL Legos??

Caleb is still a huge Toy Story fan.

The second night we were there we ate at T-Rex which was like Rainforest Cafe but Dinosaur style.  It was pretty cool.  This was the waiting area where the kids could dig for fossils in the sand.  I'm glad there was a soap and water station to wash their hand when they were done!

Inside the restaurant.

That was an actual person.  I don't know what he was covered with.  Every now and then he would change positions or put his hand on someone's shoulder.  Very weird.  Caleb thought it was the coolest thing.

This was in one of the stores.  Caleb loves Peter Pan and the Tick Tock Crock.

These nutcrackers were walking all through the downtown area dancing and interacting with people.

Playing with puppets.

Oh this store and the money we could spend....

My kids arent's into Mr. Potato head but if they were.....

Chewy!

I don't remember why Ethan was not happy in this pic.  I'm sure he was tired of posing for pics.

So strange to be in shorts around all of the Christmas stuff!