Today was quite possibly the MOST magical day I have ever spent at WDW. Magic Kingdom was perfect. I mean really perfect. Makes me misty eyed just thinking about it.
Again.. I wont go into great detail on who we are. I did that in the pretrip... but we are
Me- Michele, mom and tink lover. wants to work at WDW
DAD- Steven, loves turkey legs and is actually entertaining the thought of moving to Orlando area
Thing One- 11 Is being paid (bribed) to ride the BIG rides at the parks. Her "chicken shute" ride today is Space Moutiain.
Thing Two- now more commonly refered to as "Tapeworm" 5 Loves the BIG rides. Is suspected of harboring a stow away tapeworm. loves all things pink and princess.
We began our day early.. for us. We are a family of sleepers.. we REALLY like to sleep. So, while we LOVE WDW. Its kind of like the "anti-vacation" for us. I called in a 645 am wake up call and when it came I wasnt that sad not to hear Stitch slurping in my ear.. actually I rarely heard the wake ups at the Disney Resort, since I am usually just trying to make the ringing stop.
We ate cereal bars, and juice cold from our FREE refrigerator,packed Tapeworm's fanny pack full of fruit gummies, goldfish crackers, and the like and were off. Since our resort is a mere 3 miles from the Disney Gates we didnt have to hurry too fast. We paid the $9 parking fee (it went up since last years $8) and followed the directions of the parking attendants to.. TADAH!! The absolute best parking spot in the parking lot. Directly behind the handicap row right at the base of the ramp leading up the hill to the monorail. How great is that?
Experienceing our first stroller free park day was truely awesome. No lugging, no packing, no problems. YAY! I was worried that Thing One might poop out and need one late in the day.. but thats what piggy back rides are for.
We made our way to the top of the hill and to the monorail..With a sneaky little twinkle in my eye, in my most cheerful Disney voice I asked the conductor. "Good Morning! Would it be at all possible for us to ride in the front car?" He smiled back amused at the confused looks on my husband and children's faces and said "Of course!" We did have to wait for the next train since training was going on that morning... but it was still early, and we were on vacation.. and it was SO worth it. There is NOTHING like seeing th castle from that vantage. If you dont take the opportunity to ride there.. you miss out!
We watched the opening of the park (Quite possibly the most awesome feeling in the world) and made our way onto main street.. not before realozig that our Digital Camera was well aware of our "Vacation status" and that it had conked out (it did the same at our wedding 2 years ago) SO I paid (GASP) $20 for a disposable camera at the kiosk out front and slunk away ashamed, looking like an unprepared non DISer.
After taking the obligitory photospot card photos we attacked Fantasyland with a vengance. WALKING ON to teacups, pooh, peterpan, snowwhite,philharmagic, and small world ( Funny story.. Thing One REALLY didnt want to do this one.. "its torture!!" but Thing Two insisted and since there was litterally NO wait I couldnt say no. Half way through the ride I heard Thing One to sing "They're just small dolls after all... they're just small dolls afterall.." She is developing her stepmama's sense of sarcasm.. I couldnt have been prouder) Steven and I foud a nice spot to sit and enjoy a coffee right at the exit of Dumbo and in clear view of the que.. so we sent Things One and Two to enjoy the ride parenal unitless.
After spinning throug fantasyland we headed to Frotierland (since we had sent dad to get Fastpasses for BTMR since her refused to ride IASW) Dad.. who hates big drops, swops nd runaway trais in general, was very happy to eat the first of 10 or 12 turkey legs while we sailed past the line and rode Bug Thunder in less than 15 minutes. I love fastpass.. makes you feel like you know something THEY dont. The wait for Splash Mountain was 20 minutes and since we were on vacation, we agreed to join the que witout fastpasses.. We were happy to see it move very quickly and we were on the ride in less than 20. Unfortunatly it kept stopping and the continuty of the ride was spoiled. But Its still Splash and we still loved it.. except for Thing Two who suddenly realized that she would be getting wet.. and who was SOAKED when our log "happened" to be in JUST the right spot to recieve the SPLASH from another decending log. She and I were 10 times wetter than a trout.. and she as UNHAPPY about it. So what else could we do for an unhappy tapeworm? We ate lunch.
We got burgers at Pecos Bills outside of The Country Bears Jamboree and they were passable. Especially since they have great toppings bar and al the free cheese sauce you can pile onto your fries. YUM... love that stuff.
(Funny story... We were eating and waiting for Thing Two to dry, mostly enjoying watching fellow vacationers and the antics of the native birds, who have become unafraid of humans and addicted to french fries. A couple was sitting near us and were feeding the small birds fries and pieces of hamburgerbun... but when a HUGE stork like bird swooped in they began was ignoring the sqwalking pleas and began to eat in earnest. The bird, not used to humans being immune to his birdie cuteness was more than annoyed at this. He made his way closer and closer pleading for his share of thier fastfood. When he was once again rebuffed he walked right up to the man, and bit him. HARD on the back.The couple was horrified and notified nearby castmembers... obviously expecting to be rewarded for thier misfortune.. The castmembers (HAHHAHAH!!!) said " Yeah it happens when people feed the birds" I died laughing)
So after allowing the tapeworm to feed and to dry off from soak mountain. we proceeded, finally after two previous trips to adventureland.I LOVED the jungle cruise. I laughed at the corny jokes and was the only one on the boat responding to the poor guy. If I ever get to work at WDW I want to be a jungle cruise skipper. How fun would THAT be?
We made our way around Adventureland and rode every single ride. escept tiki birds.. I just cant get there. I dont know why.. its liek I have this wierd repelant to that ride.
By this time it was hotter than a tin roof in summer, and we HAD to watch the parade ( I didnt want too we've seen it twice and it was HOT) but according to Thing One it was neccesary to the wellbeing of the earthReally I think it was a ploy to put pff getting to Tommorowland).So we ate icecream and Thing Two and I hid in the cover of a waterfountain shelter and chatted with a nice family from Ohio ( next time you are at Disney and walking down mainstreet. I DARE you to holler " OHHHHHH" and see if anyone from Ohio responds with "HIOOOOOo") while Thing One and Dad watched the Make a Dream Come True Parade.. again.
After the parade the time of Thing One's imagined doom was at hand.. it was time.... (cue dramatic music) to ride the Chicken Shute ride of the day... unless of course "currently all space missions are on standby" in wich case we would ride Stitch ( I have something to say about Stitch.. I think it gets a bad rap.. I LOVED it. Granted it was gross.. and yes Stitch is a drooly little monster... but it was so cute and Tapeworm, who had an affliction.. I mean addiction to Lilo and Stitch the movie the entire year she was 3 LOVED it... she still keeps asking me if I saw that silly stitch and did he ask to be MY friend too? ) Buzz Lightyear twice without waiting, carrosel of Progress almost to ourselves, and the LED peoplemover twice without getting off. Finally.. "space missions resumed" sounded on our last ride on the peoplemover and Thing One and I made our way to WALK ON to space mountain. (who gets to WALK ON to SM?) She was scared.. white knuckled and pale.. but after actually getting into the ship, and getting going.. she began to relax.. and to scream "THIS IS AWESOME THIS IS AWESOME!!!" repeatedly at the top of her lungs. The rein of the "Chicken Shute " was over.Thing One had conquered Space Mountain.. and the fear of roller coasters. It was AWESOME. and she earned $5.. how cool is that?
After we rode Space Mountian we found Tapeworm was was BARELY not tall enough to ride, and a little scared I think, and Dad waiting to eat more turkey legs.So we headed to Cosmic rays for hotdogs, hamburgers, and chicken fingers... and more of that AWESOME free cheese sauce.
After scarfing the cosmic fare we RAN to find an AWESOME bench in front of the castle to watch Cinderellabration. I dont care who you are, and how many times you go to WDW.. seeing Cinderella recieving her crown is breathtaking. Especially at sunset. It was AWESOME.
After the show, we were pooped.. just basically sitting around.. watching people and soaking in the atmosphere... watching Tapeworm eat from her pouch. We decided not to try to drag ourselves over to watch Tiki Birds (sorry guys.. I'll catch you next time) and to find an AWESOME place to watch WISHES. So we wandered slowly up mainstreet toward the trainstation, we stopped at the Main Steeet Bakery and bought a delicious sticky sweet cinnamon roll and shared it sitting on the curb. I flirted with a little Ethiopian baby who had JUST been adopted by her BEAMING parents and two much older brothers. They had litterally just returned from Africa with her, and couldnt think of a better way to cement thier family than to go to the Happiest Place on Earth She was soooo beautiful and happy, and her brothers were gooing and gahhing over her so much it was sweeter than our cinnamon roll.
When the lights dimmed and WISHES began, we stood side by side as a family snuggled one into the other watching and thinking about wishes and dreams come true.. I had to cry.. I wouldnt have been a Mom if I hadnt. Pure Magic.. and 4 more days to come!
After exiting the park.. and returning to our AWESOME parking spot we returned to our offsite hotel (leaving the people riding the Allstar buses in line) and were in the pool before they were even on the bus.
Again.. I wont go into great detail on who we are. I did that in the pretrip... but we are
Me- Michele, mom and tink lover. wants to work at WDW
DAD- Steven, loves turkey legs and is actually entertaining the thought of moving to Orlando area
Thing One- 11 Is being paid (bribed) to ride the BIG rides at the parks. Her "chicken shute" ride today is Space Moutiain.
Thing Two- now more commonly refered to as "Tapeworm" 5 Loves the BIG rides. Is suspected of harboring a stow away tapeworm. loves all things pink and princess.
We began our day early.. for us. We are a family of sleepers.. we REALLY like to sleep. So, while we LOVE WDW. Its kind of like the "anti-vacation" for us. I called in a 645 am wake up call and when it came I wasnt that sad not to hear Stitch slurping in my ear.. actually I rarely heard the wake ups at the Disney Resort, since I am usually just trying to make the ringing stop.
We ate cereal bars, and juice cold from our FREE refrigerator,packed Tapeworm's fanny pack full of fruit gummies, goldfish crackers, and the like and were off. Since our resort is a mere 3 miles from the Disney Gates we didnt have to hurry too fast. We paid the $9 parking fee (it went up since last years $8) and followed the directions of the parking attendants to.. TADAH!! The absolute best parking spot in the parking lot. Directly behind the handicap row right at the base of the ramp leading up the hill to the monorail. How great is that?
Experienceing our first stroller free park day was truely awesome. No lugging, no packing, no problems. YAY! I was worried that Thing One might poop out and need one late in the day.. but thats what piggy back rides are for.
We made our way to the top of the hill and to the monorail..With a sneaky little twinkle in my eye, in my most cheerful Disney voice I asked the conductor. "Good Morning! Would it be at all possible for us to ride in the front car?" He smiled back amused at the confused looks on my husband and children's faces and said "Of course!" We did have to wait for the next train since training was going on that morning... but it was still early, and we were on vacation.. and it was SO worth it. There is NOTHING like seeing th castle from that vantage. If you dont take the opportunity to ride there.. you miss out!
We watched the opening of the park (Quite possibly the most awesome feeling in the world) and made our way onto main street.. not before realozig that our Digital Camera was well aware of our "Vacation status" and that it had conked out (it did the same at our wedding 2 years ago) SO I paid (GASP) $20 for a disposable camera at the kiosk out front and slunk away ashamed, looking like an unprepared non DISer.
After taking the obligitory photospot card photos we attacked Fantasyland with a vengance. WALKING ON to teacups, pooh, peterpan, snowwhite,philharmagic, and small world ( Funny story.. Thing One REALLY didnt want to do this one.. "its torture!!" but Thing Two insisted and since there was litterally NO wait I couldnt say no. Half way through the ride I heard Thing One to sing "They're just small dolls after all... they're just small dolls afterall.." She is developing her stepmama's sense of sarcasm.. I couldnt have been prouder) Steven and I foud a nice spot to sit and enjoy a coffee right at the exit of Dumbo and in clear view of the que.. so we sent Things One and Two to enjoy the ride parenal unitless.
After spinning throug fantasyland we headed to Frotierland (since we had sent dad to get Fastpasses for BTMR since her refused to ride IASW) Dad.. who hates big drops, swops nd runaway trais in general, was very happy to eat the first of 10 or 12 turkey legs while we sailed past the line and rode Bug Thunder in less than 15 minutes. I love fastpass.. makes you feel like you know something THEY dont. The wait for Splash Mountain was 20 minutes and since we were on vacation, we agreed to join the que witout fastpasses.. We were happy to see it move very quickly and we were on the ride in less than 20. Unfortunatly it kept stopping and the continuty of the ride was spoiled. But Its still Splash and we still loved it.. except for Thing Two who suddenly realized that she would be getting wet.. and who was SOAKED when our log "happened" to be in JUST the right spot to recieve the SPLASH from another decending log. She and I were 10 times wetter than a trout.. and she as UNHAPPY about it. So what else could we do for an unhappy tapeworm? We ate lunch.
We got burgers at Pecos Bills outside of The Country Bears Jamboree and they were passable. Especially since they have great toppings bar and al the free cheese sauce you can pile onto your fries. YUM... love that stuff.
(Funny story... We were eating and waiting for Thing Two to dry, mostly enjoying watching fellow vacationers and the antics of the native birds, who have become unafraid of humans and addicted to french fries. A couple was sitting near us and were feeding the small birds fries and pieces of hamburgerbun... but when a HUGE stork like bird swooped in they began was ignoring the sqwalking pleas and began to eat in earnest. The bird, not used to humans being immune to his birdie cuteness was more than annoyed at this. He made his way closer and closer pleading for his share of thier fastfood. When he was once again rebuffed he walked right up to the man, and bit him. HARD on the back.The couple was horrified and notified nearby castmembers... obviously expecting to be rewarded for thier misfortune.. The castmembers (HAHHAHAH!!!) said " Yeah it happens when people feed the birds" I died laughing)
So after allowing the tapeworm to feed and to dry off from soak mountain. we proceeded, finally after two previous trips to adventureland.I LOVED the jungle cruise. I laughed at the corny jokes and was the only one on the boat responding to the poor guy. If I ever get to work at WDW I want to be a jungle cruise skipper. How fun would THAT be?
We made our way around Adventureland and rode every single ride. escept tiki birds.. I just cant get there. I dont know why.. its liek I have this wierd repelant to that ride.
By this time it was hotter than a tin roof in summer, and we HAD to watch the parade ( I didnt want too we've seen it twice and it was HOT) but according to Thing One it was neccesary to the wellbeing of the earthReally I think it was a ploy to put pff getting to Tommorowland).So we ate icecream and Thing Two and I hid in the cover of a waterfountain shelter and chatted with a nice family from Ohio ( next time you are at Disney and walking down mainstreet. I DARE you to holler " OHHHHHH" and see if anyone from Ohio responds with "HIOOOOOo") while Thing One and Dad watched the Make a Dream Come True Parade.. again.
After the parade the time of Thing One's imagined doom was at hand.. it was time.... (cue dramatic music) to ride the Chicken Shute ride of the day... unless of course "currently all space missions are on standby" in wich case we would ride Stitch ( I have something to say about Stitch.. I think it gets a bad rap.. I LOVED it. Granted it was gross.. and yes Stitch is a drooly little monster... but it was so cute and Tapeworm, who had an affliction.. I mean addiction to Lilo and Stitch the movie the entire year she was 3 LOVED it... she still keeps asking me if I saw that silly stitch and did he ask to be MY friend too? ) Buzz Lightyear twice without waiting, carrosel of Progress almost to ourselves, and the LED peoplemover twice without getting off. Finally.. "space missions resumed" sounded on our last ride on the peoplemover and Thing One and I made our way to WALK ON to space mountain. (who gets to WALK ON to SM?) She was scared.. white knuckled and pale.. but after actually getting into the ship, and getting going.. she began to relax.. and to scream "THIS IS AWESOME THIS IS AWESOME!!!" repeatedly at the top of her lungs. The rein of the "Chicken Shute " was over.Thing One had conquered Space Mountain.. and the fear of roller coasters. It was AWESOME. and she earned $5.. how cool is that?
After we rode Space Mountian we found Tapeworm was was BARELY not tall enough to ride, and a little scared I think, and Dad waiting to eat more turkey legs.So we headed to Cosmic rays for hotdogs, hamburgers, and chicken fingers... and more of that AWESOME free cheese sauce.
After scarfing the cosmic fare we RAN to find an AWESOME bench in front of the castle to watch Cinderellabration. I dont care who you are, and how many times you go to WDW.. seeing Cinderella recieving her crown is breathtaking. Especially at sunset. It was AWESOME.
After the show, we were pooped.. just basically sitting around.. watching people and soaking in the atmosphere... watching Tapeworm eat from her pouch. We decided not to try to drag ourselves over to watch Tiki Birds (sorry guys.. I'll catch you next time) and to find an AWESOME place to watch WISHES. So we wandered slowly up mainstreet toward the trainstation, we stopped at the Main Steeet Bakery and bought a delicious sticky sweet cinnamon roll and shared it sitting on the curb. I flirted with a little Ethiopian baby who had JUST been adopted by her BEAMING parents and two much older brothers. They had litterally just returned from Africa with her, and couldnt think of a better way to cement thier family than to go to the Happiest Place on Earth She was soooo beautiful and happy, and her brothers were gooing and gahhing over her so much it was sweeter than our cinnamon roll.
When the lights dimmed and WISHES began, we stood side by side as a family snuggled one into the other watching and thinking about wishes and dreams come true.. I had to cry.. I wouldnt have been a Mom if I hadnt. Pure Magic.. and 4 more days to come!
After exiting the park.. and returning to our AWESOME parking spot we returned to our offsite hotel (leaving the people riding the Allstar buses in line) and were in the pool before they were even on the bus.
