Day 2: Saturday May 9th
We got home relatively early and had bath and were in bed by 8-ish. I woke up about 5:30 and got our outfits ready, then woke up the family one by one starting at 6pm. Everyone seemed in fairly good moods, once I convinced the kids they were NOT wearing their PJs all day (they really love new PJs on vacation!). We were down at the bus stop by 6:45, and the bus came very fast. We were at MK a few minutes after 7am. We walked up the gates, and there were only a few other families there. Because the park opened at 8 this am, I didnt think that we would be able to get in early for our 8:05 reservation, but we could. THe CM checked us i in and we waited in the early check in line to the far left. My kids were a little cranky/tired in line. My daughter put on her rapunzel dress for CRT, but after a few minutes wanted it off. So Ben of course wanted it right away, so my little prince cross dressed. I was surprised how light the crowds were this close to opening. But by 730 it started to fill in, and at 7:45 they let us in, right before the welcome show started. Unlike our last pre-park opening, which was an hour before the general, since it was so close to regular opening there were photopass photographers out. SO we got some "real" family shots in front of the castle and by the carousel.
Then we headed down to CRT for breakfast. There were a few families checking in ahead of us. Ben and Sylvie ran around the open and empty courtyard behind the castle, while some CMs blew bubbles. IT was very empty, much more so than our pre-park BOG on friday. I dont think they let the BOG breakfast people in early. Maybe only BBB and CRT, because it was very light. Ben decided he wanted his dress off and we got our pictures with CINderella and headed upstairs. THe kids were a bit shy with CIndy but walking up the stairs really perked them up, they thought that was very fun! We were seated at an excellent table, not right on the windows but we could see out and were the third or 4th table to see the princesses. I had the lobster crepes, since i had that sweet donut the day before, but I should have gotten the stuffed french toast. It was fine but just not fantastic. OUr waitress, however, was fantastic. She was just so much more engaged and brighter than our previous experience there. SHe kept my coffee full too
We were were out of CRT by 8:45, and I was expecting it to be getting busy out there but the park was still incredibly quiet. We road a ton of rides, including but not in order: the newly opened jungle cruise, aladdin's carpets, Pirates, Small world, Peter Pan, etc. By 10:45 it was very hot so we got a dole whip and then headed back to the buses. We had a private bus ride back to AKL, our driver really liked our shirts and wanted a tutorial. We were back at the resort around 11:30, changed into suits and took a dip in the pool. THe pool was totally packed and it was hard to find a chair to throw our stuff on. We all went in. Sylvie saw the water slide really wanted to go down. I talked to the lifeguard and she said there was no height requirement, so Dad agreed to wait at the bottom for her and I took her up. ON the top she was a bit nervous so we watched a couple kids go down, and then she said she was ready! Such a brave girl. Anyway she went down all by herself and I went right after. I was very nervous that I couldnt see DH down at the bottom! When I got down she said it was scary and didnt want to go again, but she talked about it all day, and later said it was her "favorite ride."
I went into Mara and ordered us some lunches to go and we went back up to our room and ate there, and then at 1pm we all lay down for a nap. Sylvie conked right out but Ben would not sleep. He was singing and talking to himself. After an hour I asked him if he wanted to go in the stroller, thinking he would fall asleep faster if i walked him a bit. Last thing I wanted to do was walk, but I walked him around the resort for an HOUR and he still did not sleep! THen DH took a turn for a while, no luck.
We let Sylvie sleep as long as possible, but loaded them up around 330 to head back to the park. IT was hot and crowded when we returned, but not as bad as I had expected given the predicted levels. We had our Anna and Elsa FP, which the kids really loved. Ben was starting to get cranky at this point with no nap. We went to go on the carousel but Ben was too cranky, so DH went to go on wiht Sylvie, but she changed her mind at the last minute. I walked Ben and he fell promptly asleep

, it's about 5:30 now. So DH took Sylvie into Philharmagic. We had BOG reservations at 615, and my plan was for Sylvie and I to go in and DH walk Ben around, but the CM said we could take him in sleeping in the stroller. SO NICE. We were seated right by the snow windows in the ballroom. OUr waiter was a little over the top, but helpful. I had the lamb and DH had the ratatioulle. Both delicious. Sylvie had the "beast casserole" which she didnt touch, (typical for her), but she liked her chocolate milk and strawberry cupcake.
After dinner Ben was still sleeping soundly so DH took Sylvie in to meet Talking MIckey, and I changed my FP to meet Tink for the following hour, so I didnt lose it. Ben woke up right at 8pm, while DH was still in with Mickey, so I took him to the confectionary and we bought some treats. Then I took both kids in to meet TInk, though Ben wasnt quite up for it so it was just Sylvie. THen we walked over to Tomorrowland and stood in line for the dessert party check in. There was quite the line already! I broke out the glow sticks and we played with them until check in. Dessert party was mediocre but at least not crowded! I hope the food is better when they jack up the price in the fall. But it is so nice not be crowded in during the fireworks. After it ended we decided to leave the park, even though Sylvie was begging to go on SMall World again... ha ha ha. But it was late and I was tired! So we headed to the buses, there was a bit of a line but we fit on the first one. It was packed though. Kids sat on my lap and played with their glow sticks. We got back by 11 and went right to bed! No trouble falling asleep for anyone!
I'll add some photos from my phone from CRT.