We gathered the girls and headed back to the resort for a little rest and a change. We had a very important dinner date that night. Kaitlin was keeping track of the Princesses and we still had to meet Ariel, Jasmine and Tiana. And MOST important of all was meeting Snow White while Kaitlin was in her own Snow White Dress. I prayed that at least Snow White and Ariel would be a dinner tonight.
We had a short rest and got dressed. I wanted to get to Epcot early enough to get onto Soarin. I thought Kaitlin would really enjoy it. This was the night the girls were going out on their own. I had made reservations for them at Planet Hollywood and they were going to do some shopping in DTD. (Side note, we had two rooms so two coupons for PH. I didnt expect them to accept both but worth a try. Not only did they not accept both, but they one they took that clearly read $15 was only honored at $10. While I would have said something had I been there, the girls were too shy to say anything. Still, boo Disney on that one.)
We parted ways and we headed to Epcot, just the 3 of us. We got on the bus and sat down and suddenly heard We ask that all guest on board be on their best behavior, we have a Disney Princess on board.. Everyone looked around and discovered the only princess to be seen was our very own Snow White. It was a very nice touch from the bus driver and gave Kaitlin just a little bit of extra attention from everyone on the bus. She was out cold by the time we got to Epcot though. I mean, done like dinner. (I love this photo)
We headed for the Soarin fast pass and saw Chip and Dale meeting just outside. We didnt want to wake her yet though so Monty took a seat while I ran inside to get the passes. As I ran in, there was another Chip and Dale greeting in the restaurant and I couldnt help but be thankful Kaitlin was not with me and had not just seen them outside. There was a bit of a faux pas Disney!!!
We got FP for Soarin for 7:20 and since dinner was at 6pm that was a great time. We still had an hour and a half until our reservation so we decided to slowly walk around the showcase, let the little one sleep and enjoy the atmosphere. As we rounded the fountain behind the sphere there was a bored looking PP Photographer so we decided to get some shots of just the two of us. We should have done more of that. Then we continued around. By the time we got to England Tigger and Pooh were meeting. It was time for Kaitlin to wake up anyway so we roused her. She crankily stated she didnt want to meet them but by the time it was our turn she was fully enthralled. Tigger danced with her and twirled her and bowed to her. She hugged Pooh and off we went.
We decided to pass on Alice as Marie was meeting just down the road. Kaitlin is obsessed with cats and has her own stuffed Marie cat. Look mommy, she looks just like my stuffy!!!. This is one of my favorite pics.
Next we had a decision to make. Jasmine or Mary Poppins. We didnt have time for both. To my surprise she chose Mary Poppins (one of her fav movies, but NOT a princess.) So back to England we went. Mary was duly impressed with her dress AND her manners. A quick photo here and it was time to speed up the trek to Akershus for dinner. We stopped for one or two shots then checked in for dinner.
We got our photos with Belle and once again Kaitlin looked at her like she had never seen her before. She had such awe. Belle told her Snow White was one of her best friends. But the best was yet to come.
We were seated and saw the Princesses coming. First was Aurora that was fine, then was Cinderella, a little disappointing as this was our 3rd meeting with her, then the coveted Snow White and Kaitlin was just about jumping out of her skin, then finally Ariel. YES! The two MUST haves were here. We settled down to have dinner while we waited for our turn. The appetizer buffet left a lot to be desired. There wasnt much any of us really wanted to eat. We ordered dinner and there was Cinderella. She was the most disappointing of all the Cinderellas we had met. But to be fair, they had set the bar pretty high. She was gone as quick as she had come so that was disappointing too. Next was Aurora. She was better, but again, nothing extraordinary.
Dinner came, and Kaitlin could barely eat as she saw Snow White enter our part of the room. Monty and I had a fabulous dinner. I cant remember what we ate but it was really good. As we were finishing Snow White as on us. She was absolutely amazing. She found her signature in Kaitlins book and asked where they had met before. Kaitlin could only say outside. I filled in at MK and that Kaitlin was in her Halloween costume. SW played along beautifully. She put a great big kiss on her signature and took Kaitlin by both hands, told her what a lovely dress she was wearing and the SWs fav part was the cape. She put her face close to Kaitlins and said something we couldnt hear but elicited the biggest smile ever from my kid. Then she straightened up and still holding both Kaitlins hands told her to look at the camera. Kaitlin looked like the cat that swallowed the canary. ITs still one of my favorite pics from this trip.
Kaitlin sat down like her world was now complete. But then Ariel came. Ariel is Carlys favorite so that makes her one of Kaitlins favorites and must dos. (Shes never sat through the whole movie yet.) This was an awesome Ariel. She also got right up close and had a conversation with Kaitlin that I could not hear. But she had Kaitlins FULL attention.
Now that all dreams had come true and dessert had been inhaled, it was time for more adventure. I left thinking we were the best parents ever and what more could my little girl ask for. As we got out the door she promptly stated now we just have to meet Jasmine and Tiana!. Great! Monty was about done with Princesses by that point but, really now, whose vacation was this? Certainly, not ours. We headed towards soaring with Kaitlin jibber jabbering and dancing the whole way.
Soarin was very enjoyable. I forgot how much I liked that ride. Kaitlin liked it but I wouldnt say she loved it. Afterwards we roamed around a little then decided to head home before the Illuminations crowd left. On the way out we took one last PP Picture and then got right on the bus. At this point as we were relaxing and thinking about the great day, I looked down and realized my PP card was GONE! It was nowhere and worse, I couldnt even remember taking it back from the last photographer. I had been so careful all week and had one moment of lapse. We got back to the hotel and I sent Monty and Kaitlin to the pool while I went back to Epcot praying I would get there before it closed. I didnt, however I explained the situation to a very nice CM who let me in. Illuminations were just ending so everything was still open. I found the photographer who did not have it. (I didnt really think she would but I was hoping.) She told me to go to the photo center and tell them what time I was with her and what her location was. I did and they found my photos. Whats more the found ALL my photos and put them on another card. I cant tell you how relieved I was. I did have a photo of my other card, but of course I had sent my camera home with Monty. As I started walking back to the bus stop, now with all of the illuminations crowd, it started to down pour. I dont mean a little, I mean I was soaked to the bone in 30 seconds. I didnt even care. Everyone ran for cover and I just walked back to the bus. Stood in line for about 15 minutes, stood all the way home and got in the door just as Monty and Kaitlin were getting back. They had had a great time in the pool and then watching the movie. Kaitlin thought that was the greatest thing watching a movie outside. I got a great big hug from both and collapsed into bed absolutely exhausted. We had one more day to go. And it would prove to be the most challenging day of our trip.