Day Five at the Lodge- MK Morning Magic (w/ Mommy + Daddy Moonlight Magic next thread!)
New Jersey's Fab Four's First Trip to the World!
Participants: Myself (age 32)
DH (age 36)
DisTwins (age 5)
Week of Aug. 24th to 31st
Early Entry day at MK - it's up extra early for us! (We've been challenged just to be out the door by 8:30 each morning. Today we need to be at the dock by 7:30!
) We RUN to the boat dock at 7:30, still brushing hair and putting on earrings! 
Boat is not there for another 5 - 10 minutes - whew!
Once again arrive at MK for the magical opening! We're through the gates and off to Tomorrowland (the one "land" we didn't hit yesterday!). We "race" over to Indy Speedway (pun intended!) and have just a few folks ahead of us (glad we're here early - even with just a handful of folks, it's still more than a 5 minute wait!) We see friends from Jersey as we get off the ride! (We knew they'd be there and saw them briefly yesterday as we each had the same "Dumbo" itinerary. It's a nice surprise to see them this day and we have a chance to stop and share our experiences!) Astro Orbiter is next and, with no one waiting, the friendly CM lets us stay on and ride twice! DD LOVES this ride and really enjoyed the view! Next we all "buzz" right over to Buzz Lightyear (okay, I promise I'll stop!
). This is such a great attraction for all of us. . . one that we all equally enjoyed (Darn, though, if DH beat my score!) It's on our list of MUST SEE recommendations! We then take a leisurely ride aboard the Tomorrowland Transit (a warning, though, if your little ones are afraid of the dark. . . . while this is a very slow, easy, and enjoyable ride, it DOES venture through Space Mtn and is pitch DARK for a good period of time).
After a very pleasant start to the day, we cross over to Adv. Land for Pirates of the Carribean. Kids find it "okay" but not one of their favorites. We explained that it showed how the pirates lived and they couldn't understand how anyone could live like that!! Got some cute pics in the gift shop with the pirate hats on, though!
It's now what we like to call the "Character Craze!" We are ready to fill those autograph books! Head over to Ariel's Grotto and get in line by 9:40. IMPORTANT NOTE: Even though it SAYS Ariel's Grotto is not open until 10:00, she has already begun by this time (her line is one of the longest at MK we hear!). So plan to go a little early and you'll be out in 10 minutes! We then make it over to Toon Town shortly before the rope drops at 10:00 (thus NOT necessary to arrive here early!). The characters are NOT stationed in the Hall of Fame tent right away - they are sent out to mingle around Toon Town at first. Mickey IS, however, stationed already at the Judge's Tent, so we get in a short line to see him (NOTE: Try to beat the crowd of people getting off the train right in front of the Judge's Tent! We made it in just as they poured in behind us!). Mickey's eyesight wasn't the greatest as he signed Minnie's page in DS's book! Oh well! We catch Minnie in front of her cottage, but are asked to follow her at this time into the Hall of Fame. What a nice surprise when we get in there that Chip and Dale are there, too! For those who missed my "Campfire Chronicles" my li'l DD left with a broken heart when Dale never made it to our bench! So she was elated to catch up with them here! This was one of the LEAST rushed character greetings in the park (BESIDES character meals!). We even have time to squeeze in a family photo with Minnie.
We decide to ride Goofy's Barnstormer (despite a minor "fit" by DD over losing the first car to her brother, it's a fun thrill for all of us!) and are pleasantly surprised to see Goofy and Max coming up the exit as we're leaving! They can't stop to "greet" but they wave hello and CM says we can wait for them by the entrance. Great! We're first in line when they come down (got a cute photo of them on the coaster!) For some reason, DS is a little shy about meeting Max! (I guess he wasn't expecting him!) Goofy is all thumbs with the pen and adds his typical humor during our moments with them!
I am SOOOO glad we had time to squeeze in our next event, "Storytime w/ Belle" in the Fairytale Gardens! This was definately one of the most "magical" of our Disney experiences. It is a truly lovely setting, very quaint and intimate (a wonderful surprise in Disney!). There is a small stone stage and just a few garden benches (we're there 10 min's early and get one right in the center). We almost feel as if we're in a real palace courtyard! Belle comes out to "read" the story of Beauty and the Beast. The kids are grinning ear to ear (they just adore her!)! What a WONDERFUL moment when Belle selects DS to play the part of her "Papa" in the story (We sure were glad that a boy on the bench next to us turned the part down! ) He was bright red in the cheeks, but so tickled to be up there with Belle! He wore a cute little "inventor's" apron and was on stage the whole story with frequent references from our delightful Storyteller. DD is quite shy and would have probably been like the little boy who turned the part down had she been asked, BUT she was ecstatic to watch her brother! She giggled the whole show and I even got a few candid shots of her delight! We all enjoyed it immensely! (For those interested, there was a "Gaston" chosen, and 3 - 4 others for the palace characters.) We had just a bit of chaos afterwards when DD spilled juice and we rushed to clean it up. I guess in the chaos I unknowingly left the camera behind!! (an elaborate Minolta model) Well, more magic and pixie dust blew our way because we went down to the castle to see where Pluto and Donald would be stationed after the Cinderella show. With time to kill (we saw the show yesterday), thank God we decided to backtrack back to Toon Town because a CM from the Fairytale Garden saw us pass by and asked if the camera belonged to us! (It was labeled w/ our name and hotel, BTW, but probably wouldn't have got back to us for a day or so.) Whew!
DS and DH decide to ride MadTeaParty (they have the exact same attraction at Sesame Place, where we have Season Passes, so not a big priority for us!) while DD and I go back to Toon Town to take a closer look at Mickey's and Minnie's houses (lots of cute details to see!). What luck - Pluto is in the gazebo behind Minnie's house! We get him to sign DS's book for him (I have the books on me) and he poses with DD (cute how he had to sign w/ the books on top of his nose!). We rush over to MadTeaParty to get DS so he can come back for a photo w/ Pluto! Now it's back to the castle to get Donald! (I did say it was "Character Craze!") Another "whew" as we are among the last few to get Donald's autograph before he retreats!
We planned to squeeze in Tiki Room before our 1:00 PS for lunch w/ Pooh characters in the Crystal Palace. However, a quick downpour sidetracked us into a gift shop. When it passed a few minutes later, we decided to just head over to the C.P. for lunch! Just as we were thoroughly impressed with Cindy's Royal Table, we are equally awestruck by this character meal with Pooh and Friends! Such a pretty place to eat, AMAZING buffet of hot, cold, and dessert food, (great kids' buffet too!) and fantastic interaction w/ the characters! (I'm still paying the price for that dessert buffet!
) Eeyore is adorable as we ask him whether or not his paws allow him to sign. He blushes but obliges! (even adds details such as rain cloud and bow on tail!) Wow! Some even made it back around for another "hello"! One of the highlights was when the characters led the kids in a "parade" around the restaurant! How cute! And one of the "perks" was that it poured rain most of the time we were in there and was clearing up as we left for the boat dock!
We're back at the Lodge by 3:00 and kids are eager to participate in arts and crafts at the Cub's Den. They enjoy coloring a border for a flower pot and are excited to come back in a few hours . . . finally, it's time for a night of Mommy and Daddy Moonlight Magic (at the California Grill for those who may be wondering otherwise!)!
New Jersey's Fab Four's First Trip to the World!
Participants: Myself (age 32)
DH (age 36)
DisTwins (age 5)
Week of Aug. 24th to 31st
Early Entry day at MK - it's up extra early for us! (We've been challenged just to be out the door by 8:30 each morning. Today we need to be at the dock by 7:30!
) We RUN to the boat dock at 7:30, still brushing hair and putting on earrings! Boat is not there for another 5 - 10 minutes - whew!Once again arrive at MK for the magical opening! We're through the gates and off to Tomorrowland (the one "land" we didn't hit yesterday!). We "race" over to Indy Speedway (pun intended!) and have just a few folks ahead of us (glad we're here early - even with just a handful of folks, it's still more than a 5 minute wait!) We see friends from Jersey as we get off the ride! (We knew they'd be there and saw them briefly yesterday as we each had the same "Dumbo" itinerary. It's a nice surprise to see them this day and we have a chance to stop and share our experiences!) Astro Orbiter is next and, with no one waiting, the friendly CM lets us stay on and ride twice! DD LOVES this ride and really enjoyed the view! Next we all "buzz" right over to Buzz Lightyear (okay, I promise I'll stop!
). This is such a great attraction for all of us. . . one that we all equally enjoyed (Darn, though, if DH beat my score!) It's on our list of MUST SEE recommendations! We then take a leisurely ride aboard the Tomorrowland Transit (a warning, though, if your little ones are afraid of the dark. . . . while this is a very slow, easy, and enjoyable ride, it DOES venture through Space Mtn and is pitch DARK for a good period of time). After a very pleasant start to the day, we cross over to Adv. Land for Pirates of the Carribean. Kids find it "okay" but not one of their favorites. We explained that it showed how the pirates lived and they couldn't understand how anyone could live like that!!
Got some cute pics in the gift shop with the pirate hats on, though!It's now what we like to call the "Character Craze!" We are ready to fill those autograph books! Head over to Ariel's Grotto and get in line by 9:40. IMPORTANT NOTE: Even though it SAYS Ariel's Grotto is not open until 10:00, she has already begun by this time (her line is one of the longest at MK we hear!). So plan to go a little early and you'll be out in 10 minutes! We then make it over to Toon Town shortly before the rope drops at 10:00 (thus NOT necessary to arrive here early!). The characters are NOT stationed in the Hall of Fame tent right away - they are sent out to mingle around Toon Town at first. Mickey IS, however, stationed already at the Judge's Tent, so we get in a short line to see him (NOTE: Try to beat the crowd of people getting off the train right in front of the Judge's Tent! We made it in just as they poured in behind us!). Mickey's eyesight wasn't the greatest as he signed Minnie's page in DS's book! Oh well! We catch Minnie in front of her cottage, but are asked to follow her at this time into the Hall of Fame. What a nice surprise when we get in there that Chip and Dale are there, too! For those who missed my "Campfire Chronicles" my li'l DD left with a broken heart when Dale never made it to our bench! So she was elated to catch up with them here! This was one of the LEAST rushed character greetings in the park (BESIDES character meals!). We even have time to squeeze in a family photo with Minnie.
We decide to ride Goofy's Barnstormer (despite a minor "fit" by DD over losing the first car to her brother, it's a fun thrill for all of us!) and are pleasantly surprised to see Goofy and Max coming up the exit as we're leaving! They can't stop to "greet" but they wave hello and CM says we can wait for them by the entrance. Great! We're first in line when they come down (got a cute photo of them on the coaster!) For some reason, DS is a little shy about meeting Max! (I guess he wasn't expecting him!) Goofy is all thumbs with the pen and adds his typical humor during our moments with them!
I am SOOOO glad we had time to squeeze in our next event, "Storytime w/ Belle" in the Fairytale Gardens! This was definately one of the most "magical" of our Disney experiences. It is a truly lovely setting, very quaint and intimate (a wonderful surprise in Disney!). There is a small stone stage and just a few garden benches (we're there 10 min's early and get one right in the center). We almost feel as if we're in a real palace courtyard! Belle comes out to "read" the story of Beauty and the Beast. The kids are grinning ear to ear (they just adore her!)! What a WONDERFUL moment when Belle selects DS to play the part of her "Papa" in the story (We sure were glad that a boy on the bench next to us turned the part down!
) He was bright red in the cheeks, but so tickled to be up there with Belle! He wore a cute little "inventor's" apron and was on stage the whole story with frequent references from our delightful Storyteller. DD is quite shy and would have probably been like the little boy who turned the part down had she been asked, BUT she was ecstatic to watch her brother! She giggled the whole show and I even got a few candid shots of her delight! We all enjoyed it immensely! (For those interested, there was a "Gaston" chosen, and 3 - 4 others for the palace characters.) We had just a bit of chaos afterwards when DD spilled juice and we rushed to clean it up. I guess in the chaos I unknowingly left the camera behind!! (an elaborate Minolta model) Well, more magic and pixie dust blew our way because we went down to the castle to see where Pluto and Donald would be stationed after the Cinderella show. With time to kill (we saw the show yesterday), thank God we decided to backtrack back to Toon Town because a CM from the Fairytale Garden saw us pass by and asked if the camera belonged to us! (It was labeled w/ our name and hotel, BTW, but probably wouldn't have got back to us for a day or so.) Whew!DS and DH decide to ride MadTeaParty (they have the exact same attraction at Sesame Place, where we have Season Passes, so not a big priority for us!) while DD and I go back to Toon Town to take a closer look at Mickey's and Minnie's houses (lots of cute details to see!). What luck - Pluto is in the gazebo behind Minnie's house! We get him to sign DS's book for him (I have the books on me) and he poses with DD (cute how he had to sign w/ the books on top of his nose!). We rush over to MadTeaParty to get DS so he can come back for a photo w/ Pluto! Now it's back to the castle to get Donald! (I did say it was "Character Craze!") Another "whew" as we are among the last few to get Donald's autograph before he retreats!
We planned to squeeze in Tiki Room before our 1:00 PS for lunch w/ Pooh characters in the Crystal Palace. However, a quick downpour sidetracked us into a gift shop. When it passed a few minutes later, we decided to just head over to the C.P. for lunch! Just as we were thoroughly impressed with Cindy's Royal Table, we are equally awestruck by this character meal with Pooh and Friends! Such a pretty place to eat, AMAZING buffet of hot, cold, and dessert food, (great kids' buffet too!) and fantastic interaction w/ the characters! (I'm still paying the price for that dessert buffet!
) Eeyore is adorable as we ask him whether or not his paws allow him to sign. He blushes but obliges! (even adds details such as rain cloud and bow on tail!) Wow! Some even made it back around for another "hello"! One of the highlights was when the characters led the kids in a "parade" around the restaurant! How cute! And one of the "perks" was that it poured rain most of the time we were in there and was clearing up as we left for the boat dock!We're back at the Lodge by 3:00 and kids are eager to participate in arts and crafts at the Cub's Den. They enjoy coloring a border for a flower pot and are excited to come back in a few hours . . . finally, it's time for a night of Mommy and Daddy Moonlight Magic (at the California Grill for those who may be wondering otherwise!)!
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