Our next day was the day we spent in Disney World. The park tickets were included in the price of the cruise. I should mention that we were just in Disney World for ten days not that long before this. We usually do Disney World in late September/ early October when there aren't a lot of crowds. We're a little spoiled when it comes to how we're used to experiencing Disney World. On out last trip to Disney World I took about 10000 pictures (no exaggeration) so I went a little easy on the camera during this trip and just tried to enjoy the day.
We decided to stay at the Magic Kingdom the entire day and not park hop at all. We decided none of us were all that interested in dealing with getting from one park to another and that there was nothing at any of the other parks that we HAD to see. (Our table mates did three parks and I talked to a lady who's family had done all four but that just wasn't the pace we wanted to go at. More power to those people who have more energy than us!)
Our day started with breakfast at Topsiders. We were scheduled for the earliest bus out to the Magic Kingdom and for once my family was on time. I don't remember much about the drive to the parks. I think they played cartoons and America's Funniest Videos. We got the park well ahead of the opening and found a good spot to stand and watch the little opening show they do at the at the train station.
I never get to see this show during our regular vacations because my family is so pokey. I'm always chomping at the bit to get to the parks and they're all sloooooowly getting ready and/or refusing to get out of bed. I love them but one of these times I'm going to leave the hotel without them. Anyway, the little show was neat and it was fun to see some characters you don't see a lot in the parks.
Once we were allowed in we headed straight to Guest Services. J uses a Guest Assistance Card sometimes so we needed to get that right away. That took just a minute or two. I really can't say enough good things about how Disney handles guests with special needs. We've never gotten anything other than top notch treatment from them.
After taking care of business we hurried right over to Fantasyland. The last time we were in Disney World was right before the expansion opened up and we were eager to see what was new.
Can you tell J is an Oswald fan?
The decor and themeing in this area is incredible. If I had a single complaint it would be that after you leave this area you end up thinking that the rest of the park needs to be updated. I feel like they really went all out to make you feel like you're in Belle's village. Big thumbs up from all of us. Plus there's just something magical about being in the park when the sidewalks are still wet. Weird but true right?
Next we went to the Ariel ride. The line for this ride is great. There's a cute little game where you see crabs on screens run out with various objects and when you point at them they run away. I don't know how they do it but it's neat. The ride itself is very enjoyable as well. We rode it three times without having to wait in line at all.
They ask you not to take any flash pictures (not that anyone listens to that rule) so I did my best to try and snap some flashless pictures. Every one I took made Ariel look stoned.
Ariel needs a nap.
There is an area where you can meet Ariel and since there was no line we decided to go in. J doesn't like characters but he wanted to see the set up of the area so he went in and then just hid behind me while E met Ariel.
The ladies who play Ariel always make a big deal out of E because of her red hair. Guess who E's favorite charterer is?
This Ariel was no exception. She was lovely and spent a good long while chatting with E. J stood behind me and tried not to be seen.
I'm sharing this picture so you can see a bit of the decorating around the Ariel ride. Also check out J's shirt because it is epic.
On out way out of that area we stopped at Gaston's Tavern to see what it looks like inside.
In case you're wondering, yes, they use antlers in all of their decorating!
We also watched them work on the new Snow White ride for a bit.
Far be it from me to question their ride making process but it seemed like there was less working and more standing around happening up there. I'm sure they know what they're doing. I always have a hard time waiting for new rides. I want them to be done
now.
You can see Beast's castle in the mountains surrounding the Be Our Guest restaurant.
As I was taking this picture I heard a man ask a cast member if you were allowed to go in the castle so I guess that forced perspective thing really works on some people.
On the walls surrounding the new Snow White ride all a bunch of spots you can peek in at what they are doing. It's a good photo op.
After this we did all the other rides in Fantasyland. There was still almost no line for anything. I think we only had to use J's GAC card once or twice. We've done Disney often enough to know what lines are problematic for him and what ones we can do. Just in case anyone is wondering using a GAC does not get us on to the rides without waiting in line. It just means we use an alternate entrance so we can avoid the crowded back and forth lines that so many rides have. These make J extremely anxious and without the GAC he would not be able to do a lot of the rides at Disney World. Sometimes the GAC means our wait time is shorter but it can also mean a longer wait time in a more open area. We have gotten some flack from guests who don't understand why we need the card and who think we're skipping the lines but I really think if people understood how the card works and why they need it they would be a little kinder.
After we had done everything there was to do in Fantasyland the kids really wanted to go on the Ariel ride again. After that we stopped back in Gaston's to get a snack.
More antlers
The kids split a cinnamon roll that was about the size of my head. They reported that it was very good.
Jesse had a pork shank. He said it was good. I had a piece and thought it was kind of bland and greasy. I don't really like pork in general though.
I had a chocolate croissant.
This was really, really, really good. I came thisclose to ordering a second. The only thing that stopped me was remembering all the free food back "home" on the ship. I'm too budget conscience for my own good.
Next up we hit several of our favorite rides. In Tomorrowland: Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear (several times), the Tomorrowland Transit Authority and the Stitch ride which E loves for some reason. While were in in line for that we chatted a bit with a father and daughter who were on our cruise.
In Adventureland: The Jungle Cruise and Aladdin's Magic Carpets.
After we did the Haunted Mansion I got it into my head that I really, really, really wanted to eat lunch at the Be Our Guest restaurant. I knew there was a crazy line because we had passed it a few times already but I was able to convince my family we should do it since it was the only thing at the park I really wanted to try. I don't think any of them were all that excited but they agreed to humor me and we hoofed it back over to the Fantasyland. This was probably not my wisest decision.
I'm going to quit here and start up in another post. I'm paranoid about my laptop crashing and losing all my work. More to follow in a bit.
You could have knocked me over with a feather since I had to twist his arm to get him on the cruise in the first place. In spite of the currents and the hair taco we were still all having an awesome time. The kids didn't even really care that we never made it to Castaway Cay. They just knew they were having a great time on the ship and that we had another day of fun on the ship to enjoy.
Yup, not eating any more thankyewverymuch.
