Hi all - before updating my TR I just wanted to let you know that Libbi Grace Boyns was born today at 10.25am, and weighed 7lbs 4oz
OK, now back to our regular scheduled programming....
As I said, today we were heading for our first full day at the Magic Kingdom. Due to a bit of dithering on the part of my brother and SIL over the past couple of days, we said that we'd meet them in front of the Railroad Station if they arrived before 9am, or else we would be in Fantasyland.
Well, we arrived at about 8.25, and got a spot centrally placed for the opening ceremony. I love being at MK for rope drop and, personally, I can never see that show too many times - it always makes me cry! This time was no different, and while waiting we also got speaking to a couple of lovely families who were both celebrating birthdays. One of the mums even took a photo for us.
Crowds (or not!) at 8.25
One of Carl's favourite sights at Disney
After the first crowds had cleared we checked around us and couldn't see the family so we went through to Fantasyland.
As we came through the castle the Fairy Godmother was signing autographs so we stopped to meet her as we never have before.
Peter Pan's flight had a 5 minute wait so we got in the stanby queue, and followed up with Cinderella's carousel, which we walked right on. Unfortunately there was one group right in front of us, and they were also looking to ride Cinderella's horse, so I didn't get to do that!
While on the carousel we spotted the others coming through the castle. We caught their attention and decided to go straight on It's A Small World, which was also a walk on. We had to wait a little bit, though, as my mum was taken down to the disabled entrance. We thought Robin wouldn't be impressed by this ride, and Carl loathes it due to the song, so we were really surprised when he came off saying he loved it! He really enjoyed explaining the different countries to the kids. This we followed up with Peter Pan's flight. The standby queue was about 20 minutes by this time but we were able to use the disabled entrance so didn't have to wait too long.
Next stop for me and Carl was to head into Frontierland and pick up FPs. We decided to go for Big Thunder Mountain first. The others were riding the carousel at this point, although when we got back we found out Amelia had refused to get on, so the others rode while she stayed with my mum. Rob and Row were, by this time, in the queue for Dumbo, which said 15 mins standby - it was now 10.30am. As we didn't want to wait in the sun, Carl and I went to investigate the queue for Snow White's scary adventures - the sign said 15 minutes but we only waited about 5, which was great. By the time we came off the others were just about to get on Dumbo- they had actually waited about 15 minutes in the end.
Our final stop in Fantasyland was Philharmagic, and my dad later said this was one of his favourite things in the whole trip! I think it was slightly different at the beginning from our trip in 2006 - I'm sure that time Mickey told Donald not to go into his vault, but Donald did, and that's how he ended up in the movies? Anyway, I'm not sure but I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
We then made our way (slowly, which was painful for me and Carl!) to Frontierland. By this time we were able to get FPs for Splash Mountain, and then rode BTMRR. Again, this was me, Carl, dad and Robin. After the ride we needed food so headed to Pecos Bill. Most of us had taco salads, which I actually haven't had at Disney since our first trip in 1996! After lunch we used our FPs for Splash, where we didn't get too wet - on our last trip we got caught by the extra blast of water and wound up getting soaked at the very start of the ride.
Carl and I then said we would go our own way, as it was after 1pm and we had the UK DIS meet at 3pm. We walked back into Liberty Square to check the standby time for Haunted Mansion. It was 15 minutes so we joined the queue. As usual we got a couple of dirty looks for following the instruction to fill in all available space
In the end we actually waited about 10 minutes.
The plan was then to watch the Dream ALong with Mickey stage show , then to head out of the park at 2.30. And this was exactly what we did! We got the monorail over to the Poly, and arrived at about 2.50. We found Captain Cook's, and immediately spotted WayneG with his family. We spent a very enjoyable two hours with everyone there, and had a lovely surprise as Wayne and Karen gave us a beautiful Christmas decoration to celebrate our wedding.
This was the photo taken on my camera, which was about the sixth one we asked the CM cleaning tables to take - luckily he was very friendly!
Just after 5 o'Clock we got the monorail back to Magic Kingdom and arrived through the gates at 5.30.
Balloons on Main Street - I like the buildings in the reflection
We went through to Tomorrowland, where we picked up FPs for Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. As we were hungry we decided to try out Columbia Harbour House, having never been there before. We split a tuna sandwich, with a side order of grapes, and a portion of chicken nuggets, and it was delicious. This has become our second favourite Counter Service location in the parks, just behind Sunshine Seasons at EPCOT. After tea we went back and Rode Buzz - this is one of Carl's favourite rides!
We then did the rest of the railroad loop that we started the night before, by riding from Toontown to Frontierland. When we got there we used the spare FPs from earlier to ride BTMRR again, and gave away the 3 spare Splash Mountain FPs to a family we heard talking about getting into a 50 minute standby line. They were very pleased!
Our next job was to meet up with mum and dad again on the bridge by Sleepy Hollow. We were about 5 minutes late for our 7pm meeting time and found, to our surprise, that they hadn't gone back to the villa with the others for a rest, but had been at MK the whole time! As they hadn't eaten, we recommended Columbia Harbour House, and sat with them while they ate. We resisted the temptation to eat again! During the meal, mum and dad mentioned that in all three previous trips they had never ridden Haunted Mansion, so this was where we went next. Once again we waited less than ten minutes. By this time it was about 8.10 so we went to the disabled parade viewing area opposite the Hall of Presidents. Dad and I went to get Mickey ice cream bars for everyone while mum and Carl waited and chatted. Spectromagic was wonderful and we had a really good view.
We then thought that it would be a good idea to remain in Liberty Square to watch Wishes, rather than fight the crowds in front of the castle with mum in an
ECV. At about 9.45 there was a torrential rainstorm. We put on ponchos and tried to sit it out, but ended up sheltering by the entrance to Hall of Presidents. The rain eased, and eventually stopped, but then the thunder and lightning came. At 9pm Jiminy Cricket's voice came on and announced that Wishes would be delayed, but would start shortly. We heard the message again at 9.05, and Wishes finally began at about 9.15pm. After Wishes we went to Casey's and got hot chocolate/coffee. We sat and enjoyed our drinks, listening to the music and waiting for the kiss goodnight while the crowds dispersed. Funnily, we realised we were sat right next to one of the families we had chatted to at the opening ceremony, so we asked the little girl if she had had a lovely birthday, and they wished us all the best for the wedding.
We walked sown Main Street just before 11pm. Mum and dad went to the car park, while we went to the bus stop. There was next to no queue by this time, and we waited about 5 minutes for the bus. We finally got back to Pop Century for our last night there at about 11.45.
Tomorrow: switching resorts, Boma, and the day before the wedding!
