We woke up on Sunday and Samantha was officially FOUR! We had another full day planned, unfortunately, the weather was not cooperating. It was raining when we woke up and did not stop all day long. Soaking rain! But, we weren’t going to let that stop us! We put on our raincoats and ponchos and headed to Epcot!

Samantha had the best set up with this rain cover over the stroller!

Our first stop was Soaring and it’s still a really cool ride…

We then headed over to Norway where we got to meet Elsa…

and Anna!

We then had lunch at Akershus where we got to see even more of our princess friends including Belle…

Aurora…

Snow White…

Cinderella…

and even Ariel – in her dress and with her legs this time! ha!

We then went back over the Magic Kingdom. Because of the rain (it was really, really raining nonstop) there were no lines for anything. So, we rode Big Thunder, Splash Mountain, Buzz Lightyear and a couple of others. After a few hours, we were pretty wet and tired so went back to hang at the hotel before heading to the airport. We made it home late that night super tired but super happy.

What a trip it was with to celebrate my best girl on her 4th birthday! A huge thanks to GJ for everything. As they say at Disney, dreams do come true!!!

 

So, after the debacle of the Bippity Boppity Boutique, Samantha was not a happy camper and really wanted to take off all of her princess garb. But, we had a lunch reservation to eat in Cinderella’s castle in one hour so my mom and I convinced her to leave it all on until then. There was a lot of whining but we managed to distract her by going on The Little Mermaid ride where I got a little smile (for the picture only!)…

and the Teacups! She loved the Teacups! I’m still dizzy.

We then stopped by to meet two princesses before lunch. Samantha was really unhappy and cranky at this point and, despite having on her beautiful Rapunzel dress, would not take off her coat for the picture with Rapunzel. Sigh. She made me get in the picture with her (I had also put on the pink hair in an attempt to make her smile).

We also met Tiana…

and this pretty much sums up her experience with Tiana. Pout.

It was finally time to go into the castle and I do think Samantha thought all of that was pretty neat! We met Cinderella downstairs…

and then headed up to lunch.

She was all smiles for Snow White…

Aurora…

and Jasmine!

She even got another birthday cupcake!

Lunch was good and things were looking up!

As soon as lunch was over, Samantha insisted that I take off all the princess stuff before we even left the table.

As soon as it was all off, she was back to my happy girl!

As she said, “I just like normal me, not princess me.” I couldn’t agree more! We then had the best afternoon riding all “fast rides” like she wanted! This girl rode Barnstormer…

Big Thunder…

Splash Mountain…

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train…

and couldn’t have been happier! We met Ariel…

and stood in line forever for Aladdin’s Flying Carpets before riding Pirates of the Caribbean.

We then got to watch the night time show and Samantha danced away to the music and loved the fireworks!

What a way to spend your last day as a 3 year old! It really did turn out to be a fantastic day at the happiest place on earth!

On Saturday morning we were up bright and early and happy to be in the Magic Kingdom!

We had a fun breakfast in a new to me spot, Sleepy Hollow! Yum!

We had a full day of princess fun planned for Samantha but first we got in a ride on Small World and the carousel!

Samantha had an appointment to get her princess makeover at the Bippity Boppity Boutique. I tried to explain to her what all they were going to do but I don’t think she fully understood. She was still somewhat ok with it while we were waiting…

but about 2 seconds later she started saying she wanted to take her dress off and, at that point, I knew we were in trouble! She got up in the chair and never has there been an unhappier princess in the Bippity Boppity Boutique! It was so sad and HYSTERICAL! This baby would not crack a smile for anything. My mom and I were cracking up but she was NOT having it! Nope, not having it at all. I have a million pictures and have to share them all because her face was just too much.

Cutting her eyes at me…

You’ve got to be kidding…

Pitiful…

This is when it got bad. They put on the pink hair (that she had chosen)…

and major nope! ha! She’s literally saying “Get this off of me!” through gritted teeth!

They were trying to convince her to give it a chance and wait to see it all together with the makeup. Samantha wasn’t buying it but went along anyway…

I do think the glitter nail polish was the highlight…

because it definitely wasn’t the makeup! ha!

That face! hahaha!

Over it.

At this point my pouty princess was still very unhappy so out came the pink hair and we somehow got her to agree to a small princess bun.

Round 2 on the hairdo and maybe my favorite picture of the trip…

Hahaha! My poor baby! She hated this! It was so sad but oh so funny! They fixed her hair all up again…

while my mom and I continued to get death stares from the princess!

The final touches which Samantha barely tolerated…

and the big reveal!

Done and done.

Hahaha! Oh my sweet baby. I had no idea how she was going to react to the makeover but I never expected this. It’s still perfect though. Perfectly hilarious and a story that I’m sure will be told for years to come!

Poor, poor Princess Pitiful!

I sure do love that little pout!

Samantha wanted to take it all off right then but we managed to convince her to keep it on a little longer…though the whining almost did us in! More princess pics to come tomorrow!

After breakfast, we took the bus over to Hollywood Studios and were happy to be there! The new Toy Story Land opened since the last time we were there and it sure was fun to check it all out. Our first stop was our Fast Pass for the Swirling Alien Saucers…

She LOVED them!

We then had time to kill before our next Fast Pass and this is where it got tricky. Samantha didn’t want to wait – but she couldn’t understand that waiting for 30 minutes and using your Fast Pass was better than going on and getting in line for a ride and waiting for an hour and a half! ha! She’s just been spoiled and has never had to wait in a really long line because we’ve always had great Fast Passes. This trip was no exception – we had 6 for each day thanks to a special deal we took advantage of because we were staying on a concierge floor at our hotel. Anyway, we managed to curb her whining and pass the time. We saw the marching Army Soldiers…

We danced with the Incredibles…

and then it was finally time to ride the new Slinky Dog roller coaster! Thankfully she was 40 in tall and could go on!

Somebody was EXCITED!

I was excited that we didn’t have to stand in this line to get on!!

Slinky Dog was worth the hype and really fun. I think it was then and there that Samantha decided “the faster, the better” when it came to rides!  🙂 We had lunch in Toy Story Land and, considering it was a pretty chilly 62 degrees, the grilled cheese and tomato soup from Woody’s Lunch Box was perfect! Samantha even ate her grilled cheese (miracle!).

We also rode Toy Story Mania…

took some time to meet our favorite ducks…

Saw the Stormtroopers…

and rode Tower of Terror! Yep, we took her on it and I had no idea how she would react, especially since Maxwell had warned her about it after his disastrous first time! ha!

But this girl? She LOVED it! She thought it was so fun and couldn’t wait to do it again! So, we did! Later that afternoon, we stood in line for 45 minutes so my thrill seeker could get another turn on the Tower of Terror!

We also went to the Frozen Sing Along (great), the Little Mermaid show (waste of time), and the Disney Jr. Dance Party (worth doing for her).

It was a full and fun day! We ended up getting room service that night but had to sneak outside in our pjs to see the fireworks!

Magical!

More tomorrow!

The weekend of Samantha’s birthday, my mom and I took her on a special trip to Disney World! The plan to was to do all the Princess stuff that the boys have no desire to do. Turns out, Samantha’s doesn’t have much desire to do it either! ha! But, it was still a FANTASTIC trip with my best girl!

I was pretty proud of all these cute shirts I had found at H&M…she was the cutest one at the parks!  🙂

Ready to go on Thursday afternoon!

GJ picked us up in the Orlando airport and we headed to the Grand Floridian! We had dinner at the hotel and got some good sleep for a big day on Friday! First stop was breakfast at Chef Mickey’s…Samantha’s enthusiasm was palpable…

She wasn’t so big on Mickey…

but Goofy was alright…

and Minnie won her over!

We also saw Donald…

and even Kluto (which Samantha kept saying instead of Pluto and I didn’t correct her!)

There was also a birthday cupcake at breakfast! Can’t beat that!

After that it was time to head to Hollywood Studios! More to come!