Cast - me, almost 32, mom of 2. Only became Disney obsessed after having children
DD - almost 5, loves all things Disney, usually kind of timid, but surprised the heck out of me wanting to ride 'big rides' this trip
I planned this trip with 3 weeks notice. We are planning a big family trip this December (including grandparents). I decided I couldn't wait that long and wanted to take advantage of low crowds (snort). Plus DD starts kindergarten in the fall, and missing school will become a bigger deal than it is now.
Unbelievably, we experienced absolutely no delays on our trip. All transportation arrived and departed as scheduled. DD enjoyed her first airplane ride, but seemed a bit disappointed that it didnt seem to be going fast. At one point on the trip down she claimed that were not going anywhere. I had to convince her that we actually traveling at a very high rate of speed, even though it didnt feel like it.
Our Tiffany towncar driver met us at baggage (as promised) and whisked us over to Pop Century. We got there and there was no line at check in. Our room was ready (at 10:15 am!). SO we put our bags in our room, loaded up my backpack, and we were at the Magic Kingdom by 10:45 am. I didnt think wed get there until noon, so I was thrilled with the early start.
First thing we did was purchase an official Disney autograph book and pen so that we could get the characters autographs this time. Lilo was right inside the entrance so we got her autograph and a few others. Then we decided to ride a few rides and then have some lunch. We went to Tomorrowland and got FastPasses for Buzz Lightyear and went to ride Space Mountain, which only had a 15 minute wait. We got in line and wound our way through the dark mazes and got up to the top when DD decided she was scared. It had been 20 years since Id last ridden this ride, so I had forgotten that you do not sit side-by-side, but one behind the other. I told her I would sit behind her and that at home she had watched video of the ride on the internet and had really wanted to try it. So she decided to try it and rode Space Mountain with her eyes closed the entire time. When the ride stopped, she was silent for about 30 seconds, and then declared that she did not like Space Mountain. I told her that was OK, I was proud of her for trying it, and she never has to ride it again if she doesnt want to. She wanted lunch, so we headed over to Cosmic Rays for chicken fingers and fries. I was worried that the Space Mountain experience may have put her off all big rides (and into therapy), but after a fun go around on Buzz (yay for FastPass we walked right on when the standby line was 20 minutes!), she said she wanted to try Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
We hauled over to Frontierland and got FastPasses for Thunder Mountain (standby line was 40 minutes). We went back to the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon and met Jesse, Woody, and Woodys horse (whose name is escaping me right now). We were walking by the Country Bear Jamboree and saw it was starting in 1 minute, so we got to walk right in and sit down. DD really enjoyed this show especially Buff, Melvin, and Max. By this time, it was time for us to use our passes for Thunder Mountain. We rode this ride after a 5 minute wait. She enjoyed this a lot more than Space Mountain. She was only a little afraid when you climb up the first dark tunnel, but after that, she was liked it. Now it was time for the Share a Dream Come True Parade, so we got some ice cream and settled in at our favorite parade spot in Liberty Square by Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe. Weve seen this parade before, and I never get tired of it!
We decided to head over to Toontown for some autographs, but we decided to stop and listen to Belles storytime first since it was starting in 5 minutes. This is such a cute show. We got Belles autograph and decided to head to Main Street for some shopping. We never made it, because Cinderellas surprise Celebration was starting in front of the castle. After the show, we headed over to Toontown and got autographs. Then it was time to head over to the Crystal Palace for dinner with Pooh and friends. After a fun meal, we headed back to Pop and crashed soon after.
I got up bright and early Saturday morning because I wanted to get to Magic Kingdom at opening. I had no idea they did such a cute opening ceremony with all the characters coming in on the Railroad! We hit Fantasyland and got everything (Teacups, Pooh, Snow White, and Peter Pan) accomplished in 30 minutes (except Philharmagic, which was broken)! I was so glad that we did not have deal with Fantasylans later that afternoon when the crowds got bad. We got FastPasses for Philharmagic and headed up Main Street to get some autographs. After visiting with quite a few characters, we decided we needed a snack, so we popped into the Main Street Bakery for a bagel (for me) and a cookie (for DD). DD told me she wanted to do another character dinner that night. I hadnt planned on doing one (only made PS for last night at Crystal Palace), but I told her Id see what I could do. After our snack, we headed over to the Liberty Tree Tavern and got a priority seating for 4pm. A little early for dinner, but I was not missing Spectromagic and Wishes tonight! We decided wed have no lunch, just a snack, and then have another snack during the nighttime festivities. We headed over to Ariels Grotto and stood in a very long line to meet Ariel. But we didnt mind since we had finished riding everything we wanted to ride no pressure. Then we headed over to Toontown and rode Goofys Barnstormer, which DD decided was her favorite ride (and the only one we ended up riding twice). By now we were pooped and decided to ride the Railroad from Toontown over to Frontierland to look for more characters. Refreshed and ready to go, we got off in Frontierland and decided to split a Mickey Bar as we headed to Adventureland. We got to see Rafiki, Timon, and King Louie!
We decided to see if Philharmagic was working (please let it be working, it was the one attraction *I* really wanted to see!), when lo and behold, the Queen of Hearts and White Rabbit were in front of the Teacups. We got their autographs and pictures. We went over to Philarmagic and, yay, it was up and running. The crowds were getting bad, but we walked right in (thankyouverymuch, FastPass!) and we both loved it! Very cute, very Disney! And the 3D stuff was amazing! We walked over to Tomorrowland and relaxed on the TTA I really enjoyed this ride or maybe I was just ready for a break.
By now it was time for our early dinner or late lunch at the Liberty Tree Tavern. What a great character meal! We saw Goofy, Pluto, Minnie Mouse, Chip, and Dale. Some of the characters came around several times. After dinner we headed back to Toontown and after the longest wait of the entire trip (probably 40 minutes) saw Sleeping Beauty and Princess Belle (in her yellow dress). DD decided she wanted to ride Goofys Barnstormer one more time. We headed back towards the castle and decided to watch the Surprise Celebration again. DD really enjoys this show. Then it was time to grab a popcorn and Sprite and to stake out our seats for Spectromagic. It was 7 pm and Main Street was already full, so we went back to Liberty Square and staked out some curb and waited for the show to start. It was worth the wait! We ended the day with fireworks and the bus ride back to the hotel. DD fell asleep in my lap on the way back to the hotel. I cant remember the last time she fell asleep in my arms, so I just savored it, knowing that these times were going to be far and few between from here on out.
DD - almost 5, loves all things Disney, usually kind of timid, but surprised the heck out of me wanting to ride 'big rides' this trip
I planned this trip with 3 weeks notice. We are planning a big family trip this December (including grandparents). I decided I couldn't wait that long and wanted to take advantage of low crowds (snort). Plus DD starts kindergarten in the fall, and missing school will become a bigger deal than it is now.
Unbelievably, we experienced absolutely no delays on our trip. All transportation arrived and departed as scheduled. DD enjoyed her first airplane ride, but seemed a bit disappointed that it didnt seem to be going fast. At one point on the trip down she claimed that were not going anywhere. I had to convince her that we actually traveling at a very high rate of speed, even though it didnt feel like it.
Our Tiffany towncar driver met us at baggage (as promised) and whisked us over to Pop Century. We got there and there was no line at check in. Our room was ready (at 10:15 am!). SO we put our bags in our room, loaded up my backpack, and we were at the Magic Kingdom by 10:45 am. I didnt think wed get there until noon, so I was thrilled with the early start.
First thing we did was purchase an official Disney autograph book and pen so that we could get the characters autographs this time. Lilo was right inside the entrance so we got her autograph and a few others. Then we decided to ride a few rides and then have some lunch. We went to Tomorrowland and got FastPasses for Buzz Lightyear and went to ride Space Mountain, which only had a 15 minute wait. We got in line and wound our way through the dark mazes and got up to the top when DD decided she was scared. It had been 20 years since Id last ridden this ride, so I had forgotten that you do not sit side-by-side, but one behind the other. I told her I would sit behind her and that at home she had watched video of the ride on the internet and had really wanted to try it. So she decided to try it and rode Space Mountain with her eyes closed the entire time. When the ride stopped, she was silent for about 30 seconds, and then declared that she did not like Space Mountain. I told her that was OK, I was proud of her for trying it, and she never has to ride it again if she doesnt want to. She wanted lunch, so we headed over to Cosmic Rays for chicken fingers and fries. I was worried that the Space Mountain experience may have put her off all big rides (and into therapy), but after a fun go around on Buzz (yay for FastPass we walked right on when the standby line was 20 minutes!), she said she wanted to try Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
We hauled over to Frontierland and got FastPasses for Thunder Mountain (standby line was 40 minutes). We went back to the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon and met Jesse, Woody, and Woodys horse (whose name is escaping me right now). We were walking by the Country Bear Jamboree and saw it was starting in 1 minute, so we got to walk right in and sit down. DD really enjoyed this show especially Buff, Melvin, and Max. By this time, it was time for us to use our passes for Thunder Mountain. We rode this ride after a 5 minute wait. She enjoyed this a lot more than Space Mountain. She was only a little afraid when you climb up the first dark tunnel, but after that, she was liked it. Now it was time for the Share a Dream Come True Parade, so we got some ice cream and settled in at our favorite parade spot in Liberty Square by Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe. Weve seen this parade before, and I never get tired of it!
We decided to head over to Toontown for some autographs, but we decided to stop and listen to Belles storytime first since it was starting in 5 minutes. This is such a cute show. We got Belles autograph and decided to head to Main Street for some shopping. We never made it, because Cinderellas surprise Celebration was starting in front of the castle. After the show, we headed over to Toontown and got autographs. Then it was time to head over to the Crystal Palace for dinner with Pooh and friends. After a fun meal, we headed back to Pop and crashed soon after.
I got up bright and early Saturday morning because I wanted to get to Magic Kingdom at opening. I had no idea they did such a cute opening ceremony with all the characters coming in on the Railroad! We hit Fantasyland and got everything (Teacups, Pooh, Snow White, and Peter Pan) accomplished in 30 minutes (except Philharmagic, which was broken)! I was so glad that we did not have deal with Fantasylans later that afternoon when the crowds got bad. We got FastPasses for Philharmagic and headed up Main Street to get some autographs. After visiting with quite a few characters, we decided we needed a snack, so we popped into the Main Street Bakery for a bagel (for me) and a cookie (for DD). DD told me she wanted to do another character dinner that night. I hadnt planned on doing one (only made PS for last night at Crystal Palace), but I told her Id see what I could do. After our snack, we headed over to the Liberty Tree Tavern and got a priority seating for 4pm. A little early for dinner, but I was not missing Spectromagic and Wishes tonight! We decided wed have no lunch, just a snack, and then have another snack during the nighttime festivities. We headed over to Ariels Grotto and stood in a very long line to meet Ariel. But we didnt mind since we had finished riding everything we wanted to ride no pressure. Then we headed over to Toontown and rode Goofys Barnstormer, which DD decided was her favorite ride (and the only one we ended up riding twice). By now we were pooped and decided to ride the Railroad from Toontown over to Frontierland to look for more characters. Refreshed and ready to go, we got off in Frontierland and decided to split a Mickey Bar as we headed to Adventureland. We got to see Rafiki, Timon, and King Louie!
We decided to see if Philharmagic was working (please let it be working, it was the one attraction *I* really wanted to see!), when lo and behold, the Queen of Hearts and White Rabbit were in front of the Teacups. We got their autographs and pictures. We went over to Philarmagic and, yay, it was up and running. The crowds were getting bad, but we walked right in (thankyouverymuch, FastPass!) and we both loved it! Very cute, very Disney! And the 3D stuff was amazing! We walked over to Tomorrowland and relaxed on the TTA I really enjoyed this ride or maybe I was just ready for a break.
By now it was time for our early dinner or late lunch at the Liberty Tree Tavern. What a great character meal! We saw Goofy, Pluto, Minnie Mouse, Chip, and Dale. Some of the characters came around several times. After dinner we headed back to Toontown and after the longest wait of the entire trip (probably 40 minutes) saw Sleeping Beauty and Princess Belle (in her yellow dress). DD decided she wanted to ride Goofys Barnstormer one more time. We headed back towards the castle and decided to watch the Surprise Celebration again. DD really enjoys this show. Then it was time to grab a popcorn and Sprite and to stake out our seats for Spectromagic. It was 7 pm and Main Street was already full, so we went back to Liberty Square and staked out some curb and waited for the show to start. It was worth the wait! We ended the day with fireworks and the bus ride back to the hotel. DD fell asleep in my lap on the way back to the hotel. I cant remember the last time she fell asleep in my arms, so I just savored it, knowing that these times were going to be far and few between from here on out.
Thanks for the trip report! 
