Our first scheduled event at the Social Media Moms Celebration was an family event held at the soon to be rebranded as ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The attendees attended an exclusive media event, What's New What's Next, while our families enjoyed special outdoor activities.
While I was learning more about what's in store for Disney enthusiasts during the next year, ER got a chance to run off some steam on the outdoor fields. Brad and my mom enjoyed playing football and kicking around a soccer ball with her before snacking on popcorn. 
Basketball, volleyball, and badminton could also be played. However, it seemed ER enjoyed holding onto a short pole and spinning around it the most. Oh well, guess she's not ready for organized sports yet!
After the presentation concluded we met up with our families and everyone headed into Josten's Center for dinner. On that night is was a banquet hall but it can be configured many different ways to accommodate several games and sports such as fit six college sized basketball courts, or twelve regulation volleyball courts, or two regular sized hockey rinks.Dinner was set up in several self serve stations with fun tail gate style foods like cheese steak sandwiches, hamburgers, a variety of sausages, nachos, and desserts. There were bags of Cracker Jacks and cotton candy and of course some special guests. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Chip & Dale all made an appearance. Not that you'd know it from our pictures! ER promptly hid as soon as they showed up.
Beside a wonderful meal, our Disney World hosts had some other surprises planned for us. A DJ played upbeat tunes and got the kids involved in learning some new dance steps. ER wanted to go right up on the stage to dance along. It was fun to see everyone's kids having enjoying themselves! After awhile, even Grammy got up there to shake her grove thing!
Our first night at Walt Disney World wouldn't be complete without enjoying some Mickey shaped treats! My mom and ER enjoyed their mouse eared chocolate covered ice creams, every last bite. It was a long day and we headed back to the Polynesian, wearing our new ESPN Wide World of Sports baseball hats, before the High School Musical performance hit the stage.{I attended these special media events as a member of the Social Media Moms Conference, for which I paid a conference fee. The purposes of this post are to share my experiences and observations with family and friends.}
Yesterday I shared our room at the 
He said it was chilly and slower than the monorail but worth it and great to see the different resorts from another angle. If it had been a little warmer we'd have taken ER on it too.
He also checked out the awesome looking main pool! I can't begin to explain how sad I am we didn't get a chance to play in it. I didn't expect too, yes it's Florida but it's still February. ER loves swimming so we didn't show it to her. 
Ah well, at least the ducks were enjoying a pretty view of the 
Back inside and away from some of the coldest temperatures Florida's had all year, is this amazing volcanic rock, waterfall, and floral centerpiece that dominates your view as you enter the Great Ceremonial House.
It is incredible! Coconut palms tower over more than 75 tropical plants. I was a little obsessed with photographing it, there were just so many beautiful views and different plants to see.
Capturing nature was what first got me hooked on photography, which sadly I haven't had as much opportunity to indulge in lately.
I think this view from the second floor, overlooking it gives you a better idea of how immense it is.
Obligatory tourist photo in the lobby right before check out☺
The attention to detail and 
I got that pink fleece during the conference meetings on Friday, it was so thick and warm. It was fun seeing other attendees wearing them around the park.
It was fabulous having beautiful photo ops right at our hotel. Wouldn't expect anything less from 
It was also beautiful at night when the torches were lit up.
We did not have an opportunity to eat at 
You can purchase made to order meals at kiosks, we tried the breakfast sandwiches, an order of two was six dollars and filling. Brad commented that while the prices were a little high, they weren't obnoxious nor was it worth leaving the park to eat elsewhere. That's saying a lot because he can be cheap...um...I mean frugal. 
Naturally ER had to have Mickey shaped waffles, really thick and filling. You can also get scrambled eggs and sides of bacon ordered a la carte, plus freshy baked goods and other sides and drinks from the refridgerated area. For me the biggest draw to Captain Cook was their self serve Dole Whip station. A mix of pineapple and vanilla flavored self serve ice cream, seriously delicious. I mean can it get any better? Had to indulge more than once.
These are the light fixtures along the hallway to Captain Cooks, I just thought they were neat looking.
There are three stores inside of The Great Ceremonial House, this is the Tiki Boutique located on the main level. It's primarily a clothing store.
It's also where most of the toys are found. ER found this particular wall to be of high interest...I think she'd have liked one of everything but especially that Tinkerbell doll. I kind of regret not getting it for her. Don't feel to badly for her, as she did leave with a Minnie and Marie from the Aristocats plush dolls. We had a no more than one doll per day rule☺
There are also opportunities to shop for fine art. I planned on stopping in but didn't get a chance to visit it when I didn't have ER with me and it did not look like a kid friendly store.
Disclaimer: Our stay at the 
