Saturday 10/1 WDW 40th Anniversary

[CAJUNWDWFAN]

we were there as well. disapointed only about the wristband situation with the "I was there" pin. Other than not getting that pin, it was a great day. Very busy indeed. The mob leaving after the fireworks was crazy. I saw couple people being trampled and only two small cast members (ladies) trying to direct traffic. Oh by the way some of the other 40th pins were available the next day. I was able to pick those up, just not the coveted "I was there" pin.

 

[janjandis]

Sunday morning at 9 am they had the "I was there" pin in Frontier Mercantile. Why, oh why didn't I pick up 10 of them? The line for cupcakes stretched from the bakery halfway back to the train station. Anyone know what the price was on them? They were basically a regular cupcake with an edible reproduction of a first day ticket. There would be no way to save it as it was made of melty frosting.

 

[wdwscout]

We just got home from a wonderful 9 day trip to our Happy Place!!
After a regular work day and then travel, we arrived at midnight 9/30, didn't get checked in and in bed until after 1AM.
I was walking the 5K and had to be at AK at 5:45am!! I seriously doubted there would be any way I could get to the Magic Kingdom in time for any of the morning festivities.

John (DH) made it to MK just before 8am, but sadly, the wristbands were all gone by then. But- he was inside the turnstiles and in the tunnel before official park opening. He got 2 of the free buttons and 2 park maps. He said the confusion about which line to stand in for the "I Was There Pin" was nuts and opted not to even try. Even though that was my only priority- I completely understood. He saw people grabbing armfuls of t-shirts- so he didn't try for that either.
Surprisingly, I was finished with the 5K by 8am and since there were no buses back to Pop for me to shower and change- I hopped on a bus to the Contemporary, bought my AP and made it inside the park before the parade started!!!!
Thank heaven for texting. There would have been no way for us to communicate any other way. We easily met up with each other at the Emporium, watched the parade as it came out of the gate and walked right up the sidewalk and into the Hub!
We had a fairly decent spot to watch the ceremonies. I'm not all that tall- so I always have heads in my way- but I could see most everything pretty well.

I cry easier than Teresa most of the time- so I was AMAZED that I made it through When You Wish Upon a Star without losing it! It was MAGICAL.
As soon as the show was over, my son (who works in MK, but was off that day- but is NOT an early bird ) texted me asking if we were in the MK. I sent him a photo of the Castle- and he texted right back that he was right up in front of the crowds! We were headed to find that "special" cupcake- only to find the line for the bakery reaching all the way down Main Street!!! For a CUPCAKE. OK- no cupcakes for us. BUT- I got to see my son and one of his friends. They met us on that little side street near the bakery and we decided to "Get Out of Dodge" and go to the Poly for breakfast.
I was thrilled that I had finished my first ever 5K, saw the 40th Anniversary Castle Ceremony, gotten my map and button. I did not mind at all that we missed out on the limited edition pin or other merchandise.
And having breakfast with my son topped it all off!!

We did not head back for fireworks- I knew it would be beyond crazy. Since we were sleep deprived- we made it an early night. Our travel buddies were arriving that night and we would start Sunday fresh and hit the parks.

I am so glad I was there for the event. It was a MAGICAL DAY- no merchandise required.