We stayed at the Raffles Inn, just a couple of blocks from the park.  This was the first time we have stayed close enough to actually walk.  It was a bit of a long walk, but definitely doable.  The hotel was not fancy but for the price was everything we needed -which was two clean beds to sleep in. After all, we didn't go hang out in the hotel! It did have complimentary breakfast each morning, which was nice.

We went with one of my best friend's from college and his family.  It was their 3 year old daughter's first time to DL and she was excited.  Her main objective was to meet Cinderella so her parents got no rest until that was accomplished!

We were there three days and got to do pretty much everything we wanted to do, some things more than once.  The biggest disappointment was that it rained a little on Friday, our last day there. This caused the Block Party Parade to be canceled on the only day we had a chance to catch it!   The trade off, however, was that it didn't rain long, and was just enough to scare away the locals.  This thinned out the crowds dramatically, making the rest of our last day very nice.

By the late Friday evening, my wife and kids were too exhausted to go on, so I took them back to the hotel, then walked back to DL to stake my place in the first row right in front of the fence for Fantasmic with video camera in hand.  Then, I went over to CA to use the Fastpass I had grabbed earlier for California Screamin'.  My wife doesn't like big roller coasters anyway and the kids are obviously too small, so this was a great opportunity to ride this ride for the first time while I was by myself.

Of course, we picked up a couple of gold 50th Anniversary mouse ear hats, one with a red bow for Isabel and one without for Ian.  They now sit on a shelf in their room, making for a nice memory, as Leanne states in her "Mouse Ears" article!  All in all, it was a very nice trip.      

Stephen  

Stephen

"If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started with a dream and a mouse." -- Walt Disney

So, where all did you eat?  What were the kid's favorite things?

Thanks so much for posting!  Sounds like you really did have a wonderful time, and the last day can't be beat.  Front row for Fantasmic! AND you had the video camera. lol Awesome.  I bet that video is nice.

Leanne

May All Your Days Be Filled With Magic!  And your nights full of Disney Dreams!

May All Your Days Be Filled With Magic!  And your nights full of Disney Dreams!

The kids loved pretty much everything, but they were REALLY excited to be big enough to ride Space Mountain!  Isabel was a bit scared and almost cried during the ride but hasn't stopped talking about it since!

By the way, I did post a few pictures of this trip on the photo gallery.

Stephen 

Stephen

"If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started with a dream and a mouse." -- Walt Disney

I'm off to check out your pics!  Tell Isabel congrats for being so brave - she'll love it next time since she's now a "big girl!"

You asked about Cafe Orleans and I forgot to respond.  It is not really that fancy, and we've never needed a reservation (I don't even know if they accept them.  However, I love New Orleans (been there four times, including once during mardi gras), especially the food.  Cafe Orleans has a great jambalaya!  Also, the prices are not too outragious, at least by DL standards!

Stephen

"If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started with a dream and a mouse." -- Walt Disney

Also thanks for putting up your 2005 pics!  Awesome again, and your wife looks happy in the one pic of her.

Leanne

May All Your Days Be Filled With Magic!  And your nights full of Disney Dreams!