Friday April 20th Part I Magic Kingdom Day 2
We once again had to get up for an early start. Yup, I scheduled another before-the-park-opens ADR at MK for CRT! This day was DFILs last day with us as he was flying home at 4:45pm out of MCO. So, initially he had hoped to have everything packed up before we headed out so that we could stop by GCH and use the airline counter to check his bags. It turned out that there wasnt enough time in the morning, so we decided to try to check his bags when he came back to Poly for his DME ride.
We took the resort monorail over to MK and arrived at the gates around 7:40am, and they let us in at 7:45am. Just as a side note, for every before-the-park-opens ADR, the CMs did ask each groups name and reservation time and then checked it against their print-out list. I dont remember them doing that as consistently during our last trip. Once the turnstiles opened, we were let in, down Main Street. I love the sight of a near empty Main Street.
The only thing I miss are the CMs lined up on the sidewalk and waving hello to us. We had a Photopass photog stationed in front of Walt/Mickey statue at the hub take some group shots of all of us with the Castle in the background. I also asked for a Magic shot and he got one where DD and DFIL had their hands cupped so that Tink could be added digitally. Afterwards we checked in at CRT.
Before I go into our CRT dining experience, another thing I noted as far as check-in procedure goes. And I admit, that I could be completely wrong about this, but I did notice a glaring difference between Akershus and CRT. We had 8:10am ADRs for both of them. And we checked in to both relatively early and in front of the ADR pack of crowds so Im pretty sure we had checked in earlier than at least a handful of families who had an 8:00am ADR. For Akershus, we were given a table that turned out to be about the 15th table in terms of the order of tables the princesses visited after they entered the dining area. When we got seated, I noticed that there were about 7-8 tables ahead of us that were not seated yet. So, I assume that the tables at Akershus were assigned by the ADR time and not by how fast you checked-in, meaning that those empty tables ahead of us were eventually given out to those who had an 8:00am ADR time, and we were given a table based on our 8:10am ADR time. In fact, one family who had checked in two groups behind us, was given a table ahead of us about 10th in the order. And that made sense and a fair thing to do. For CRT, we were the 5th family to check-in, and when we were seated we were given the 5th table! No gaps in the table assignments. Why did I bother to go through all this detail? Because by being the 5th table in the princess-visit rotation, we were able to get all of our character greets early enough to head out the door before rope drop! OK, I think the obsessive commando side of me is rearing its ugly head again, so Ill stop there. My point is, you may still have a good chance of getting out of CRT before rope drop even if you have a 8:10 ADR as long as you can be one of the first group to check in!
Okay, back to programming! The food was a huge improvement from our previous CRT Dinner experience. I had the steak and eggs and I cant remember what the other adults ordered but they all liked it. The princesses were polite but not much extra interaction happened. DD still was in heaven.
This dining was actually her idea. When I initially made ADRs, I had left out CRT as we had Akershus and 1900 Park Fare scheduled. Plus, DW and I werent too impressed with our last CRT dinner for the price we paid. We did like eating inside the castle, but thought once was enough. Well, DD had other ideas and in addition to meeting Rapunzel, CRT was the only thing she specifically requested to me when I was planning our visit. DS had a grand ol time as well. When he got his sword, he was ecstatic but then a few minutes later, he really wanted the star wand that DD was holding. Anyway, we had a nice surprise at the end when the last princess entering the room was none other than Jasmine instead of Snow White!
It was funny, because I had joked to DW that I hope we get lucky and get Jasmine to fill in as a sub for Snow White (which Ive read happens occasionally) so that we could save time not having to get in line in the Parks to see her.
When we made our way out of the restaurant, it was 8:40am. I thought, this was perfect. Got enough time to stroll our way down Main Street again before rope drop and be first in line for Rapunzel. I was also sending off DW and DFIL to Space Mountain so they could ride stand-by since this was on DWs must do list. Since I had already ridden it during my solo tour of MK, I told her I would be happy to take both kids down Main Street to meet Rapunzel in her brand new location. Except, right before we were about to split up, DD declared she needed to use the bathroom. And by the time she came out, it was 8:50am. I still thought I had enough time. DW and DFIL went on their way to SM. I pushed DS in his stroller and DD was following me at a slightly brisk pace but she was keeping up. I was staring at the Train Station as I fast-walked down Main Street. At 8:53am, I saw the train pulled in, and I knew my plan was in trouble since I was only half way down the street! Ive watched those darn youtube videos of the opening ceremonies enough times to know that I only had about 2 minutes before the crowds are let in. I turned around to DD and said Im so sorry sweetie, but were going to have to run. And run we did. We were about 40 yards or so away when I heard the countdown. The sweet sound of RD countdown that normally sounds so magical well this morning it sounded more like the bell tower in Cinderella that counted down to midnight and turned everything into a pumpkin! Poor DD. She was trying her best to keep up with her daddy who was now a good 10 yards ahead of her. And I felt so horrible making her run like this. Have no idea what all of those CMs lined up on Main Street waiting to greet the RD crowd was thinking about me. When she caught up to me and we were about 20 yards out, the rope dropped and the crowd poured in!
With DD in one hand, and stroller in another we rushed to the queue entrance for Rapunzel and there were only two families that entered the queue ahead of me. Except, the CM calmly and politely tells me that I need to park the stroller next to the planter. As I frantically looked around to figure out which of the two planters he was talking about, two more families entered the queue. So, I had to make a snap decision. I picked the planter that was closer to the Chamber of Commerce, parked the stroller, and entered the line. We ended up being about 8 or 9th family in line. DD was trying to catch her breath but she was still very happy. As Im catching my breath as well (and let me tell ya, those steak and eggs were not sitting too well by that point), I looked over to where I parked our stroller and noticed nobody else was parking theirs there. I looked over to the other planter and see a line of strollers parked! Now, I probably could have let that one go, but I felt a little guilty. There was a mom and daughter standing behind us. I asked the mom if she wouldnt mind watching DD for a couple of minutes while I go re-parked our stroller. I asked DD if it would be okay to do that and she was fine with it. So while holding DS in my arms, I went out the queue halfway and asked the CM if it was okay where I parked the stroller. She said it was perfectly fine so I made my way back to DD. And folks, that concludes our race to meet Rapunzel. I was sweating like crazy and trying to catch my breath. At 9:15am the queue was completely full and about 25 groups behind us. DW called me and said that they were done with SM. I asked her to swing by PP and pull FPs for all of us (since I had this sort of planned out the night before, I had made sure I gave all of our park passes to DW before we split up at CRT) then she and DFIL can ride Haunted Mansion which was another one I had already done on my solo tour.
When the time came to meet Rapunzel, it was totally worth it. DD was completely in awe once again.
Rapunzel also greeted DS who was in my arms. I told Rapunzel that we were trying to find Pascal while we were waiting in line. We actually did because DS was starting to get fussy and restless waiting in line so I started a game with him to see if he could find Pascal hiding somewhere on the meet and greet stage. It was actually funny because one of the little girls that were in front of us did have a stuffed Pascal on her shoulder when she went to meet up with Rapunzel. So I said to DS, Look, there he is and he said to me with a blank look Noooo, thats not the real Pascal. Anyway, Rapunzel told DS that Pascal is indeed around here but hes such a good hider that its very difficult to find him. I have to say that Rapunzel is my favorite princess as well when it comes to interactions with the kids. She seems to have more personality than the others and less sterile if that makes any sense.
I downloaded a bunch of cartoons on my iPad since the flight doesn't have wifi. I bought a bunch of travel sized toys and will reveal them one at a time to DS and DD. Loaded up on different snacks including ringpops and gum for the initial ascent and final descent. A magnet puzzle. Those Crayola Color Wonder kits. Magnadoodles. New books. Washable markers and drawing paper. I just have to remember to buy enough bottle of juice and drinks for them after I go through security. I'm reeeeealy hoping that DS will take his usual two hour nap during the flight which will make things awhole lot easier. 
That breakfast looked fantastic. It's so nice that the little ones can spend time with their grandparents in such a beautiful place! Oh and don't worry about overdoing it with pictures here! I think it's great, and hopefully everyone else agrees with me!
