We are getting so very good at this rope drop thing. Made it to MK about 15 min before opening and scooted all the way over to the left. We got to see the opening show just from the corner, but we also made the front of pack heading into the park. This time it wasnt nearly as fun as the Hollywood stampede, but we beat a path down into liberty square and over into frontierland. Splash mountain was a no wait line, fast pass at the finish. The kids loved it so we made sure we went again. Timing on the FPs couldnt have been better. Big thunder mountain next door was a little too intimidating for Arianne and she decided to sit it out with mom while brother and dad took a spin. As we were loading in Wesley asked if it was a small roller coaster or a big roller coaster I told him it was a medium one. When we got off, he said he didnt like it and it wasnt that fun. As soon as he walked up to his sister though the story changed completely to I liked it a lot.
We decided to hit up pirates next which both of the kids enjoyed nothing scary here, just a bunch of slow moving pirates and a funny dog. Jungle cruise followed jokes didnt resonate at all with the kids, but the tour guide was animated enough that they kept up their attention on all the animatronic fun. We did however get a live addition to the ride in the form of a duck that decided to take up a spot in front as our replacement guide near the end. Aladins magic carpet ride was a bit cooler than plain old Dumbo plus it has a camel that spits
almost got us, came close. Tiki room was better than I remember it and was over pretty fast, which was nice. It was a good place to take a little rest and get off the aching feet. FP time to go back to splash mountain. This time we gave in to the gift shop and picked up a shirt for the boy and a pin to go with it since he actually liked this ride more than most.
Arianne finally gave in and said she would take a shot at the medium roller coaster so we headed back up the path a bit. The ride line was showing 30 min, but the FPs were saying come back in 40 so we grabbed some and headed to lunch at Pecos Bills. Loved the nice condiment bar here really made the burgers extra tasty compared to the meaty blob I had for lunch at Hollywood studios yesterday. I got the deluxe burger which had onion rings and bbq sauce. The rings became an extra side dish, added mushrooms, pickles and lettuce off the bar with a little shredded cheese for the fries. Its great to have some options.
Back to the railroad roller coaster and the whole gang enjoyed the ride this time around. So pretty good for a medium roller coaster, better action than the kids coaster and not as scary as the big one
this one was just right. Just one more ride to go and we would be done with our agenda for day one of MK
Haunted Mansion.
This one was going to be a problem as it is one of the rides my wife really likes, but the kids are a little tired of getting freaked out by the scary rides. After the very first room where all the lights go out, Arianne had had it tears and fears. Mom had to do a quick calming job to get her settled down before we got to the carriages. We managed to make it though with minimal issues and by the end the ghosts actually seemed like a fun thing. So I guessed we pulled off a scary ride and made it something they may actually go for again if we wanted to.
Our ride list was complete so we took in a little browsing around the castle before heading back to the room. We decided it was still early enough so we could get in a little swimming before a nap and then the major prep work to get all set for the Cinderella dinner. The kids really enjoy the volcano pool and all the fun stuff it has. It was a little cooler today and the wind had a slight breeze, so we didnt do the slide as much as we did on Saturday. It was still fun and we got in a nice swim. Back to the room and everyone got in a little nap to rest up for the long night ahead.
Mom got Ariannes hair all done up in a wonderful arrangement that topped even the BBB. Our little princess looked so good people were commenting on how good it looked all night. It was all Marishas doing no professional help needed. We got to the castle a little early and got some nice pictures in by the water fountain as well as the photo shoot parlor. They were nice enough to take a nice set of pictures of the princess and then various others with the family mixed in. All photopassed no extra cost. Even got a shot on our own camera too. Time to be off to dinner
At the castle, we didnt have to wait long before we were called into the reception area. We were about 10 min early for our rez time, which we are discovering is a really good thing. We had no line behind us and took a lot of extra time taking some nice shots with Cinderella and all around the castle room there. Not long after, the room was pretty packed as the rest of the guests started pouring in. We made our way upstairs after a lovely chimed announcement calling us to our dinner. We got a very nice seat right by the outer center window. The princesses were announced with a short story introducing them to the room and they came directly over to our area to begin their circuit. We were the 3rd table or so in. Arianne loved the princesses attention and got many compliments on how lovely she was in her princess dress. I got my second beauty and the beast shot with myself and Belle
this time it was the provincial look instead of the ball gown one I had at
Disneyland two years ago. But it worked out nicely. Diner was great no complaints about anything. I think the waiter even mistakenly only took off one dining credit per person have to check on that later. Even if he did mess that up, there really isnt any way we would be able to use it now this late in the trip.
Dinner done, we had to take a ride on the carousel that we had been staring at out the window at dinner the whole meal. Such a simple ride, but one the kids both loved. It was getting close to parade time, so we decided we had better head out front and try and find a place to sit that wasnt 10 rows of people back. As we headed up towards the castle, they had just placed the rope across as we approached. I asked the CM if there was anyway they would let us past since we really wanted to get pictures of our princessed up daughter in front of the Cinderella murals. I had seen them earlier on our way by before we left the park for our afternoon naps and figured we could get them around dinner. They nicely allowed us past the ropes so we were able to get some very nice shots of them without any people in the way or off to the sides. Perfect timing with a little help there saved the day. It would have been really cool had they allowed us to stay right up on the apex of the front castle ramps where we came out in order to watch the main street electrical parade
but no such luck. After a few minutes, they came up and cleared everyone off that had been up there with us between the rope barricades that had gone up on both ends of the castle pathway.
Bathroom time again just before the parade left us with few options after it was all done to be able to see anything from the place we finally ended up
right in the middle of the center rotunda area where the parade avoids as it almost circles the center of the path at the end of main street. We met some nice folks who were willing to share their little slice of gutter space and we plopped down and waited. Show came and went, and what little we saw of it from where we were, we gave our kids a little better view of from up on shoulder seats. My wife, bless her, hoisted Arianne up dress and all for most of the entire run. Going to be an advil night for both of us following that.
At least in our position, we had a really nice spot for Wishes which followed soon after. We saw the show from a distance on Saturday from our comfy seat in Ohanas. While the new gutter seats were definitely less comfortable, we had a nice close up view to see the show
even the tinkerbell flight from the tower another part my wife really wanted to see. Wishes was pretty good even for a second time around we might even make it a third time if we find ourselves in a good spot tomorrow night. After the show, we headed back up the path against the natural flow and found a deserted wishing well which made for a great photo opportunity for our little princess to shine with the castle as a backdrop once again.
After the photos, we had pretty much had it and called it a day. We headed back to the monorail and crashed in bed another day down and a lot of fun had by all. See you tomorrow for MK day 2.