• Travel & Vacation: Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort (Orlando, FL)

    Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort Hotel

    Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort

    Our “Home Away from Home” during our stay in Orlando was at the Walt Disney Swan & Dolphin Resort.  We didn’t spend a large amount of time actually in our room, although it was nice to crash some place comfortable every night after a busy day of exploring.  Our room (I think each room had the same) had a mini-refrigerator and plenty of space to put food and snacks.

    We did all our breakfasts and dinners (except one) in our hotel room.  For our lunches we packed sandwiches to take with us in our backpacks so we wouldn’t have to stop and eat.  I shared a few tidbits about earlier resort and the neat pools they have on the resort.  The only thing that really bothered the girls about the resort was that the fish on the signs and around the hotel did not actually look like a dolphin (something they pointed out to me on multiple occasions).  They still loved it though!

    P1370691c

    Fun jungle gym.  Great place to vent out any extra energy the kids may have had.

    P1370694c

    The ducks were very friendly.  We were walking on the sidewalk when this duck decided to take a stroll with us.
    P1370719c

    Waiting with smiles for the bus to arrive.  Sometimes we didn’t wait very long and other days it took longer before the bus arrived.

    P1380740c

    I had fun hanging out with the girls while Jake was in his conference!

    P1380741c

    Wild crew.  Not sure how the girls sustained all their energy throughout the days and late into the evenings.  We had a blast!

    P1380742c

    The girls were standing in the walkway for our hotel.  It was really beautiful at night.

    P1130263c

    Our Mickey and Minnie Mouse in front of the fountain after a very long day at the park.

    P1130075c

    Our balcony overlooked this walkway outside of our hotel.

    P1130077c

    It was mesmerizing watching all the lights change colors.

    P1130078c

    It was very relaxing to sit out on the balcony at night, listen to the music from below, and watch the different lights fade in and out.

    P1130079c

    Pretty trees….

    P1130080c

    Several nights the kids would eat there dinner on the balcony so they could watch the lights.

    P1130083c

    You could even smell some of the great food from the restaurants nearby as you relaxed on the balcony.

    P1130091c

    I don’t know if it was the pretty lights, music, smell of good food, or the fact we were sitting down after walking around all day, but we spent a good bit of time hanging out on our balcony every night as everyone relaxed for the evening and got showers done before hitting the bed.

    P1390945c

    Goodbye Orlando….until next time!  We had a great trip!  Many fun activities happened and memories were made.  Now it’s time to head on home!

  • Travel & Vacation: Character Breakfast at the Garden Grove (Orlando, FL)

    P1130106c

    Meeting Goofy at Breakfast!

    We were able to go to the Saturday morning Character Breakfast at Garden Grove Cafe while we were in Orlando.  It is located on the Swan and Dolphin Resort, but anyone can come and eat there if they want.  They had great food and we got to meet a couple of the Disney Characters during our meal.  The girls thought it was pretty neat too.  If you do want to eat at a character to meal make sure you work that into your budget while in the planning stages because they are a little higher priced than some of the other options.  Also, if you have a choice choose the breakfast over the dinner Character meal because it is a little less expensive.  If you have older kids any kid 10 years and up is charged the adult prices (both for the meal as well as to get into the Disney parks).

    The kids did amazing the entire week.  We were going full throttle this entire week, they didn’t miss a beat, and had great attitudes.  We were going from sun up to way past sun down every night too.  They did crash as soon as the hit the pillows every night, but still popped up as soon as the first ray of sunlight hit our room!

    Purple Flowers, Snake, Epcot, Disney, Walt Disney, Breakfast, Buffet, Fun, Activities,

     Delicious food complete with a Mickey Mouse Waffle!  The fresh fruit and fresh fruit smoothies were amazing!!!

    P1390668c

    Having fun even at breakfast!

    P1390673c

     Hanging out with Pluto!

    P1130099cc

     Love spending time with my man!

  • Travel & Vacation: Swan & Dolphin Resort Pools (Orlando, FL)

    P1380680c

    Beautiful view and we almost had the pool to ourselves!

    During our time at the Swan & Dolphin Resorts the kids had to check out their pools.  Yes, they have several pools and a playground.  We had a blast swimming and splashing around in their pools on the hottest day.  The girls can spend hours swimming around.

    P1380627c

    Brina floating around!

    P1380629c

    Karlie having fun!

    P1380631c

    Being goofy under the water!

    P1380633c

    How long can you hold your breathe

    P1380642cc

    Brina coming down the slide next to one of the pools.

    P1380643c

    That was fun, let’s do it again!

    P1380644c

    Karlie ready to go

    P1380645c

    Karlie moving right along!

    P1380650c

    I barely got a shot of her coming around the corner!  They loved the slide!

    P1380654c

    A pool with a waterfall.  How awesome is that!?

    P1380657c

    Hanging out by the waterfall.

    P1380684c

    This pool was much quieter, but one of their favorites because it was easier to dive for items since it was less crowded.  That’s our hotel in the back ground.

    P1380689c

    Swimming around

    P1380717c

    Brina loves her goggles and her eyes don’t get nearly are red from the chlorine.

    P1380694c

    Taking a break to chat

    P1380704c

    Stopping for a few minutes to relax.