Animal Kingdom (Day 3)

Since we don't expect to make trips to Disney World regularly, we chose to hit up all of the major parks on this trip. Animal Kingdom was the only park that I didn't visit as a child so I didn't really know what to expect. So naturally I was quite surprised to see this view of an Amazonian-like river with a "snow"-covered mountain in the background.

Our first stop was the Festival of the Lion King where the kids were called up to participate in the Circle of Life. They loved it!

Here are the kids hangin' with Chip and Dale. During the entire trip we heard a lot of questions and contemplations about whether or not certain characters were real (because some, they believed, without a doubt were), why some didn't talk, etc. But surprisingly I never heard questions about their size. I mean these are some mighty large chipmunks! Is that not a dead giveaway?

The kids burned some energy and got in touch with their musical side as they explored and played the bongo drums.

Tree of Life

Sweet boy.

The Finding Nemo musical alone was enough of a reason to go to Animal Kingdom. It was a phenomenal production with a beautiful set, original costumes and talented puppeteers.

Just beautiful.

Payson enjoying time with his Daddy while he takes in the show and catches bubbles.

Hayden rode Expedition Everest with me and we experienced first hand that if you can't go forwards...you gotta go backwards! This was my favorite roller coaster at Disney World.

And while daddy took his turn, the kids played and explored in the lush garden.

Yep, you guessed it - another parade! This one is Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade.

Rafiki greeting the kids!

The animal puppets were so vivid and unique.

Next, at the Flights of Wonder show, an owl was directed to fly to a perch just next to our heads.

Over at the Kilimanjaro Safari, Madison and Daddy discussed the animals, what they eat and their habitats.

The safari brought back our wonderful memories of traveling to Africa for our own safari not long before the babies arrived. We definitely hope to take the kids back there one day!

We have some curious Georges who oftentimes like to debrief after activities, and Keith and I love their eagerness to learn! Here you also see Hayden carrying her notebook in which she took "notes" all day long.

And, like every other evening, we ended our day in our jammies taking in the Magic Kingdom fireworks from our hotel balcony.

UP NEXT: Epcot

Magic Kingdom (Day 2)

After visiting Mommy's version of Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in our hotel bathroom, our princesses and their prince were ready for their fairytale day to begin.

We arrived early for our reservation at Cinderella's Royal Table. I loved our serene stroll down a near-empty Main Street.

After months of anticiapation, our dreams were coming true!

While entering Cinderella's Castle, Payson was caught sight of the giant, detailed castle door.

Upon arrival, Cinderella was properly poised as she greeted us in her perfect soft, dainty voice. Madison, once again, was in awe of her favorite princess.

Soon after being seated at our table the princesses arrived and began making their rounds. Hayden had a lot of things to discuss with Arial.

Visiting with Princess Aurora. Look closely to see Payson and Hayden holding hands. Love that! Poor Madison's fever was gone but her eyes were itchy and watery and causing her a lot of discomfort on this day. She was a trooper and didn't want to leave the park, but she was definitely feeling rather crummy.

We always think of Grandma when we see her favorite princess, Snow White!

Princess Jasmine signing the kids' autograph books.

My favorite experience for the girls on our trip to WDW was Enchanted Tales with Belle, described as an "interactive story adventure featuring Belle." It started with a talking Madame Wardrobe where the girls were assigned the roles of the Enchanted Portrait and Cup.

Madison playing her part of Cup.

 After Hayden played her role she got to dance and twirl with Belle!

Such joy.

Hayden, Daddy and Payson in a clamshell on The Little Mermaid ride. From the looks of it I think Keith must have been scared (or maybe just really bored)!

The new Ariel's Grotto is the only place you can see Ariel with her mermaid tail and the girls had lots and lots of questions about it!

The girls peeked in on the construction of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train also opening Fantasyland.

While the Tangled area was just a month short of opening, we did get to enjoy the view of the darling new Rapunzel Tower.

Me and the girls on the Dumbo Ride - everybody's doing it!

No trip to Magic Kingdom is complete without riding the 96-year-old Prince Charming Regal Carrousel. Fun for the whole family!

The kids enjoyed a chance run-in with the Fairy Godmother.

Payson and Madison were eager to be a part of Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial and to take the official pirate’s oath and join his pirate crew!

Parade time!

Madison received extra special attention from Lady Tremaine (aka the Wicked Stepmother) despite her donning a Cinderella gown!

Look, it's Tink!

We enjoyed the fun along with some rest as we took in the Dream Along With Mickey stage show on the steps of Cinderella's Castle.

From the signs of "it's a small world," Good Bye, for now!

UP NEXT: Animal Kingdom

Hollywood Studios (Day 1)

First stop: Hollywood Studios!

Feelin' the love.

After snagging Jedi Training tickets, we quickly headed to the extremely popular Toy Story Mania! and rode it twice! It's a midway-style carnival ride that gets in touch with your competitive side.

Toy Story Army Man - such a fun surprising character to run into!

Our kids love shows of all kinds and the live Beauty and the Beast stage show was bright, bold and perfect for a mid-morning rest.

But poor Madison came down with a fever our first morning at Disney World. She slept right through the whole show. Payson also got a fever later in the week and all three had coughs. Phooey! Such poor timing!

Thankfully we had brought a borrowed stroller with us which we haven't used in years. The poor sick child always had riding priority while the other kids rotated taking rides. It was a lifesaver!

Payson's Jedi Training experience was a favorite for me to watch as a mom. He soaked up every second of it and really got lost in it all while he was up on the stage.

It was amazing to see the faces of the kids, I mean Padawans-in-training, when the "Ultimate Villain" Darth Vader appeared to fight each one of them individually.

Payson beamed after he defeated the evil one and received his certificate proclaiming him as a true Jedi Knight!

While Payson wouldn't be convinced, the girls agreed to ride the Tower of Terror with Daddy and then Hayden rode it again with me. That's Madison in the front, middle clinging to Keith's arm. Yes, hysterics followed. She was NOT happy about that ride!

We intentionally visited Disney World during low season and the weather was just perfect. Here's the view from Sunset Boulevard.

Lunch time with our Disney Jr. friends!

My favorite part of the Star Tours ride was the walk through the waiting line!

Let's face it, with three preschoolers, our trip wasn't always peaches and cream and sometimes the grumpies came out. But given that the kids were sick, and therefore even more tired, they did a pretty good job of keeping it all together...most of the time.

The afternoon parades worked out perfectly for us. The kids LOVED every parade they set their eyes on and it allowed the perfect opportunity for rest and chill time. Disney sure knows how to throw a street party!

Hollywood Studio's Streets of America.

The kids are familiar with subways after our visit to Boston last year and were so tickled by this deceiving subway staircase.

Honey, I Shrunk the...triplets!

Lights, Motors, Action was a big hit for the entire Melker family. Of course the kids had lots of questions about the man on fire!

Exciting chase scenes kept us on the edge of our seats.

And we could feel the heat from our seats!

Time for some meet-and-greets! Well, hello there Mike and Sulley!

Ka-chow!

Hayden posing with Stinky Pete.

To Disney and Beyond!

So long, Hollywood Studios!

UP NEXT: Magic Kingdom!