You Seem Taller In Your Trip Reports. A Baby at WDW - *HOLY COW! AN UPDATE!* 4/17 p26

[Poolrat]

Caught up and lovin it!!!!!

Legoland looks cool.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

I have it in the iPhone but not the iPad. I need to add it to both. My eyes are starting to go, I need glasses.

I have glasses, and it's still hard to see on my iPhone!

Caught up and lovin it!!!!!

Legoland looks cool.

Thanks! The final Legoland update will be posted in 4....3....2....1....

 

[FreezinRafiki]

When last we left our intrepid heroes, they (well, we, I guess, since I'm writing this in the first person) had just decided to call it a day at the water park and venture back into Legoland proper. The problem here was the locker area in the water park. We had rented a locker from their automated locker rental machine earlier in the morning. (By the way, it didn't take credit cards and was exact change only. Luckily the gift shop was open and was able to break a $20 for me) We didn't get a choice of what locker we wanted and were assigned on all the way in the back. So we had to fight through a gaggle - no, a herd? Nah. A Drove? Maybe. A Swarm? YES! A SWARM of people to get to it. Easily 15 people sharing one locker, all milling around it waiting to get their stuff. Some lighting up some horrific smelling "cigarettes". (Clearly I grabbed our stuff as quickly as I could and got out of there.)

Have you ever wished you could talk to some of the great minds of human history? Plato, Gallielo, Einstein, etc? And just pick their brain? Well, the quickest way to pick a brain to via the nose. True Story.

Old Albert there guards the entrance to the Imagination Zone (Thankfully, not the Land of Imagination!). The first attraction we came to, Kid Power Towers, actually made the kids work for their fun. The ride starts and the towers begin slowly rotating. But if you want to ascend to the top, you've got to provide the power. Working together, the riders have to pull the rope between them to hoist their seats up.

It's not completely kid-powered, of course. The rope is attached to gears and hydraulics that provide some assistance, but the message is clear - you want to enjoy yourself, you got to work for it. Just imagine Its A Small World with petal boats or oars.


SUPER HERO POSE!

Up a little hill and around a corner, we found Lego Technic. The Technic line of Legos are a step up from the traditional bricks we're all used to. Technic uses interconnecting rods, gears, motors, etc. It allows older kids to build larger and more complex models. No word yet on whether stepping on a Lego Technic piece at 2am in bare feet hurts any more or less than a regular brick.

It would stand to reason, then, that the Lego Technic area would be geared more toward the larger and faster rides. (Yes, I went there. You know you enjoyed it too.)

First up: Lego Technic Coaster.

Sorry for the lack of scene setting and actual ride pictures. I felt like a big enough tool pulling out my phone to take pictures of my kids, let alone rides.

The coaster was pretty fun. It starts with a pretty steep, fast drop and a few bumps and hills. Then you reach a sort of apex, and begin a long, switch-back descent. The turns are very tight so there is a lot of lateral g-forces pushing you around. A few more quick hills and you're done. I thought it was pretty fun and it got a Madison & Evan Seal of Approval. (No actual seals were harmed in the making of their approval.) I think we rode this one 3 or 4 times.

Up next was the longest line we stood in all day - maybe 20-30 minutes. Actually, I didn't stand in it. Bambi and her dad took the kids while grandma and I stayed back with Ryder. The reason that the line for Aquazone Wave Racers was so long was that it was a very low-throughput, slow-loading ride. Once you load your boat and they all begin to spin, you get to control how far out from the loading platform your boat goes by using the steering wheel connected to rudders under the boat. But be warned, the farther out you go, the closer you get to the water canons controlled by strategically placed buttons in the viewing gallery.

Keep this in mind - if you're riding with your mom who is significantly taller than you, you can use her as a sort of shield to keep yourself dry. A word of caution to this tale: your cute little puppy dog eyes and saying "I wove you mommy" will not get you out of trouble, especially if you cackle diabolically every time she get soaked. Just an FYI.

A little more wandering brought us down to the Cypress Gardens area of the park. Before Legoland came in and bought the abandoned theme park, it was known as Cypress Gardens. Legoland kept part of the original gardens in tack, and I've heard it's a lovely place to stroll around. I don't know for sure, because no one else wanted to go with me and I didn't want to take wonderful nature pictures with my crappy cell phone camera.

Also kept from the original Cypress Gardens is a water ski show. However, it's been Lego-ized (much like the bottom of my feet in the middle of the night) and invaded by Lego Pirates.

We checked the Times Guide (or whatever Legoland calls their show schedules) and found the we just missed a show and the next wasn't starting for quite a while. Not wanting to wait around, we pressed on through more of the park.

Note the Lego woodland creatures over Bambi's shoulder. The area was teaming with them. We really need to go back with two fully charged camera batteries so I can get better pictures of all of the little details they have around here.

And speaking of little details, we emerged into Miniland. Legoland model builders have build replicas of parts of California, Florida (Kennedy Space Center, Daytona Speedway, Miami Beach, etc. Sadly, no mini Disney World), New York, Washington DC and Las Vegas. This is where I really wish I had the good camera - the details they put into these models is simply incredible.

It's interactive, too. The button Evan is pushing makes the marching band in front of the capitol, well, march.

You can see the White House over there beyond the Washington Monument. What you can't see (Because they were on the other side) was little Lego figures of the First Family, including Bo the dog.

The shuttle launch area of mini-KSC had a replica of the countdown clock, and when it hit 00:00:00, lights would glow on the shuttle engines and Solid Rocket Boosters, and smoke would billow out. Really cool effects.

The "rocket garden" at mini-KSC, including a Saturn V and the Vehicle Assembly Building in the background.

From the "Pirate Shores" section of the display. All of the boats were on underwater cable systems, pulling them through the water.

Divers salvaging the wreck of a sunken ship:

I thought the displays in this area were fantastic and the attention to detail on this small of a scale rivaled anything Disney can do. This area alone was worth the (discounted) price of admission. I could have spent hours in here just looking at the models. Ryder, well, he didn't seem as excited as I was.

We took one more swing though Lego Kingdoms so the kids could ride a few more rides and prepare to battle fire breathing dragons.

Of course, just because you're facing a certain firey death at the hands of a gigantic lizard, doesn't mean you can't be fashionable.

A few more rides and a stop in the gift shop on the way out (Spoiler: they sell Legos) and we decided to call it day at Legoland. A stop at Advanced Auto Parts to buy a battery (The one in the in-law's Explorer had been giving them trouble - so much so that we strategically parked so I could jump start it with the other car if we needed to. And we did.) and it was getting time for dinner. And where else but Waffle House!

Yup, nothing like loading that boy up with chili before having a "sleep over" with Grandma & Grandpa.

So, some final thoughts on Legoland:

• It's not in a bad area, despite how I may have made it sound in my first Legoland chapter. Driving from Lakeland to Winter Haven passes through some iffy areas, but Winter Haven - and especially the Legoland part of town - are very nice. And if you were to come from Disney, you don't even pass those areas.
  
• Yes, the park is geared at kids 12 and under. That's not to say that teens or really little kids won't find something to enjoy. Bambi said the baby care center in Duplo Village was better than some at Disney.
  
• The attention to detail in the Lego models is top notch. I didn't even have pictures of half of the displays.
  
• The water park - which requires a separate admission - left me a little lacking. A lot of concrete and steel and while there was some Lego theming, it really wasn't that much. You get a whole lot better water park experience at Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach. That being said, if you get the type of deal that we did where the water park admission is included, got for it.

I can certainly see us going back. Not every trip, but we'll have kids in the "under 12" age range for another 11 1/2 years, so we'll certainly be going back.

Up Next: Holy Cow! We finally get to Disney World in the Disney Trip Report!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Easily 15 people sharing one locker, all milling around it waiting to get their stuff. Some lighting up some horrific smelling "cigarettes". (Clearly I grabbed our stuff as quickly as I could and got out of there.)

Nobody wanted to sell the "cigarettes"?

Have you ever wished you could talk to some of the great minds of human history? Plato, Gallielo, Einstein, etc? And just pick their brain? Well, the quickest way to pick a brain to via the nose. True Story.

You can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose.

The rope is attached to gears and hydraulics that provide some assistance, but the message is clear - you want to enjoy yourself, you got to work for it. Just imagine Its A Small World with petal boats or oars.

But IASW isn't enjoyable even without those things. Ping-pong ball guns on the other hand...

No word yet on whether stepping on a Lego Technic piece at 2am in bare feet hurts any more or less than a regular brick.

It might hurt less but cause a more complex injury.

Keep this in mind - if you're riding with your mom who is significantly taller than you, you can use her as a sort of shield to keep yourself dry. A word of caution to this tale: your cute little puppy dog eyes and saying "I wove you mommy" will not get you out of trouble, especially if you cackle diabolically every time she get soaked. Just an FYI.

This must have been some other kid you observed, and not your little angels.

And speaking of little details, we emerged into Miniland. Legoland model builders have build replicas of parts of California, Florida (Kennedy Space Center, Daytona Speedway, Miami Beach, etc. Sadly, no mini Disney World), New York, Washington DC and Las Vegas. This is where I really wish I had the good camera - the details they put into these models is simply incredible.

These look really awesome.

The shuttle launch area of mini-KSC had a replica of the countdown clock, and when it hit 00:00:00, lights would glow on the shuttle engines and Solid Rocket Boosters, and smoke would billow out. Really cool effects.

They should totally sell that kit in the Lego Store.

From the "Pirate Shores" section of the display. All of the boats were on underwater cable systems, pulling them through the water.

I can see why you liked this area so much. Very cool.

(Spoiler: they sell Legos)

And where else but Waffle House!

Yup, nothing like loading that boy up with chili before having a "sleep over" with Grandma & Grandpa.

Uh oh. That could get scattered and splattered later.

Your kids' pictures, as always, are adorable.

 

[twokids0204]

Legoland really looks awesome....

Will have to check that our one day...

Looks like you are having a blast... I hope it doesn't get ruined by some Canadians in the next update or two....

 

[amandaw]

I'm still amazed by how much Legoland has to offer. Who knew? And that Miniland section looks awesome! If my son ever really gets into Legos, I think we'll have to take a trip there.

 

[KatMark]

Have you ever wished you could talk to some of the great minds of human history? Plato, Gallielo, Einstein, etc? And just pick their brain? Well, the quickest way to pick a brain to via the nose. True Story.

I'm not even going to go there...I'll let the guys handle this one.

Old Albert there guards the entrance to the Imagination Zone (Thankfully, not the Land of Imagination!). The first attraction we came to, Kid Power Towers, actually made the kids work for their fun. The ride starts and the towers begin slowly rotating. But if you want to ascend to the top, you've got to provide the power. Working together, the riders have to pull the rope between them to hoist their seats up.

Looks like Evan was having a little trouble reaching that rope; but what a cool concept!



Up next was the longest line we stood in all day - maybe 20-30 minutes. Actually, I didn't stand in it. Bambi and her dad took the kids while grandma and I stayed back with Ryder. The reason that the line for Aquazone Wave Racers was so long was that it was a very low-throughput, slow-loading ride. Once you load your boat and they all begin to spin, you get to control how far out from the loading platform your boat goes by using the steering wheel connected to rudders under the boat. But be warned, the farther out you go, the closer you get to the water canons controlled by strategically placed buttons in the viewing gallery.

Keep this in mind - if you're riding with your mom who is significantly taller than you, you can use her as a sort of shield to keep yourself dry. A word of caution to this tale: your cute little puppy dog eyes and saying "I wove you mommy" will not get you out of trouble, especially if you cackle diabolically every time she get soaked. Just an FYI.

I can so see Evan cackling at this.

A little more wandering brought us down to the Cypress Gardens area of the park. Before Legoland came in and bought the abandoned theme park, it was known as Cypress Gardens. Legoland kept part of the original gardens in tack, and I've heard it's a lovely place to stroll around. I don't know for sure, because no one else wanted to go with me and I didn't want to take wonderful nature pictures with my crappy cell phone camera.

Such a lady.

Also kept from the original Cypress Gardens is a water ski show. However, it's been Lego-ized (much like the bottom of my feet in the middle of the night) and invaded by Lego Pirates.

Very nice group shot here.

We checked the Times Guide (or whatever Legoland calls their show schedules) and found the we just missed a show and the next wasn't starting for quite a while. Not wanting to wait around, we pressed on through more of the park.

As is this one.

Note the Lego woodland creatures over Bambi's shoulder. The area was teaming with them. We really need to go back with two fully charged camera batteries so I can get better pictures of all of the little details they have around here.

And speaking of little details, we emerged into Miniland. Legoland model builders have build replicas of parts of California, Florida (Kennedy Space Center, Daytona Speedway, Miami Beach, etc. Sadly, no mini Disney World), New York, Washington DC and Las Vegas. This is where I really wish I had the good camera - the details they put into these models is simply incredible.

It's interactive, too. The button Evan is pushing makes the marching band in front of the capitol, well, march.

You can see the White House over there beyond the Washington Monument. What you can't see (Because they were on the other side) was little Lego figures of the First Family, including Bo the dog.

These are really cool. We will have to take future grandchildren here for sure.

IWe took one more swing though Lego Kingdoms so the kids could ride a few more rides and prepare to battle fire breathing dragons.

I'd be afraid of him....for more than just the attire.

Of course, just because you're facing a certain firey death at the hands of a gigantic lizard, doesn't mean you can't be fashionable.

Love it...always a princess.

A few more rides and a stop in the gift shop on the way out (Spoiler: they sell Legos) and we decided to call it day at Legoland. A stop at Advanced Auto Parts to buy a battery (The one in the in-law's Explorer had been giving them trouble - so much so that we strategically parked so I could jump start it with the other car if we needed to. And we did.) and it was getting time for dinner. And where else but Waffle House!

Ummmmm....where are the scattered, smothered and covered, dear Evan? You are letting me down here.


Up Next: Holy Cow! We finally get to Disney World in the Disney Trip Report!

Seriously? You are seriously going to talk about Disney?

Great update, my friend.

 

[afwdwfan]

(well, we, I guess, since I'm writing this in the first person)

I can't say that I'd be too surprised if you did suddenly start referring to yourself in the third person.

A SWARM of people to get to it. Easily 15 people sharing one locker, all milling around it waiting to get their stuff. Some lighting up some horrific smelling "cigarettes". (Clearly I grabbed our stuff as quickly as I could and got out of there.)

Well, let's just be thankful that a bag of Doritos didn't fall out when you opened your locker. You'd have never made it out alive.

Old Albert there guards the entrance to the Imagination Zone (Thankfully, not the Land of Imagination!).

Hey, where's Figment?

Working together, the riders have to pull the rope between them to hoist their seats up.

A human powered ride??? What kind of a cheap theme park is this???

It's not completely kid-powered, of course. The rope is attached to gears and hydraulics that provide some assistance,

Ok, that's better

Just imagine Its A Small World with petal boats or oars.

IASW is what, 14 minutes long? That would become a new DISdads contest to see who can set the fastest time getting through there. You might actually be on to something there.

It would stand to reason, then, that the Lego Technic area would be geared more toward the larger and faster rides. (Yes, I went there. You know you enjoyed it too.)

Keep this in mind - if you're riding with your mom who is significantly taller than you, you can use her as a sort of shield to keep yourself dry. A word of caution to this tale: your cute little puppy dog eyes and saying "I wove you mommy" will not get you out of trouble, especially if you cackle diabolically every time she get soaked. Just an FYI.

However, it might get you a high five after the fact when nobody's looking from your dad who was manning one of those conveniently placed water cannon buttons.

(much like the bottom of my feet in the middle of the night)

Yeah, we get it. You keep stepping on Legos in the middle of the night. Maybe one of these days you'll finally learn to put your toys away when you're done playing with them.

And speaking of little details, we emerged into Miniland. Legoland model builders have build replicas of parts of California, Florida (Kennedy Space Center, Daytona Speedway, Miami Beach, etc. Sadly, no mini Disney World), New York, Washington DC and Las Vegas. This is where I really wish I had the good camera - the details they put into these models is simply incredible.

That. Looks. Awesome!!!!!

A stop at Advanced Auto Parts to buy a battery (The one in the in-law's Explorer had been giving them trouble - so much so that we strategically parked so I could jump start it with the other car if we needed to. And we did.)

What is it with you and trips to the auto parts stores when you're at the in-laws???

Up Next: Holy Cow! We finally get to Disney World in the Disney Trip Report!

First stop: DTD and the Lego Store!

 

[petals]

Disney Not that I wasn't enjoying Legoland. Legoland looks cool but there's a mouse or two missing

 

[KatMark]

First stop: DTD and the Lego Store!

 

[Wherem I Now]

Your pictures of Miniland are great. I can just imagine what being there in person is like. It reminds me of Madurodam in Holland.

Eagerly awaiting the arrival to the House of Mouse.

 

[cj9200]

Well, let's just be thankful that a bag of Doritos didn't fall out when you opened your locker. You'd have never made it out alive.

Good one Andy. MUST HAVE DORITOS!

Great update Barry. Doubt I will ever get to Legoland but it was nice to see it. Were you tempted to play Godzilla in Miniland? I would.

 

[Dugette]

Wow, who knew there was so much cool stuff at Legoland? We'll have to keep that in mind if we ever decide to venture off of WDW property someday. The Miniland models look amazing!

But on to Disney!

 

[Poolrat]

Legoland does look intriguing.


I will put it on the someday list...... maybe with the fictional grandkids that won't be around any time soon.

 

[MagicShell]

Legoland looks like it has much more to offer than I had heard from others. I'm glad your family enjoyed it.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

You can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose.

I wonder if Mythbusters has tested this one yet?

But IASW isn't enjoyable even without those things. Ping-pong ball guns on the other hand...

Why just use ping pong ball guns when you can got all Kaptain Kangaroo style on them?

It might hurt less but cause a more complex injury.

Like plantar fasciitis?

This must have been some other kid you observed, and not your little angels.

That cackle would had been the last thing you heard had he gotten you in front of that bus.

These look really awesome.

They should totally sell that kit in the Lego Store.

And if it's not a big seller, just slap a Star Wars Rebellion logo on it

I can see why you liked this area so much. Very cool.

Uh oh. That could get scattered and splattered later.

Not my problem. It's grandma & grandpa's living room.

Your kids' pictures, as always, are adorable.

Thanks. They get that from their mother.

Legoland really looks awesome....

Will have to check that our one day...

A few years ago, Universal couldn't even live up to the low expectations we had for it. Legoland far exceeded our already pretty high expectations.

Looks like you are having a blast... I hope it doesn't get ruined by some Canadians in the next update or two....

Meh. You learn to ignore them.

I'm still amazed by how much Legoland has to offer. Who knew? And that Miniland section looks awesome! If my son ever really gets into Legos, I think we'll have to take a trip there.

Let's go down the checklist:
1. He's a Boy.

Yup, we can just go ahead and stop there. He's going to like Legos.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

I'm not even going to go there...I'll let the guys handle this one.

You have two grown sons - I'm sure you've heard all the jokes.

Looks like Evan was having a little trouble reaching that rope; but what a cool concept!

He's a little short on one end. We just haven't figured out which end yet.

I can so see Evan cackling at this.

You've met him. You understand.

Very nice group shot here.

Thanks!

As is this one.

These are really cool. We will have to take future grandchildren here for sure.

They'll have a blast!

I'd be afraid of him....for more than just the attire.

He's a menace!

Love it...always a princess.

mmmmm....where are the scattered, smothered and covered, dear Evan? You are letting me down here

Those were on daddy's plate.

Seriously? You are seriously going to talk about Disney?

Someone getting a little impatient?

I can't say that I'd be too surprised if you did suddenly start referring to yourself in the third person.

Barry has been known to do that from time to time.

Hey, where's Figment?

Copyrighted.

A human powered ride??? What kind of a cheap theme park is this???

There was a giant hamster wheel behind it that you could run in.

IASW is what, 14 minutes long? That would become a new DISdads contest to see who can set the fastest time getting through there. You might actually be on to something there.

Maybe we could use the canoes from Fantasmic with the flaming torches. :

However, it might get you a high five after the fact when nobody's looking from your dad who was manning one of those conveniently placed water cannon buttons.

I was holding the baby. I have no idea what you might be talking about.

Yeah, we get it. You keep stepping on Legos in the middle of the night. Maybe one of these days you'll finally learn to put your toys away when you're done playing with them.

Sorry, mom.

That. Looks. Awesome!!!!!

They did a fantastic job with this area.

What is it with you and trips to the auto parts stores when you're at the in-laws???

It's a good thing I wasn't in charge. We would have to gone back 3 or 4 more times.

First stop: DTD and the Lego Store!

Oiy.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Disney Not that I wasn't enjoying Legoland. Legoland looks cool but there's a mouse or two missing

I agree! Bring on the mouse!

Your pictures of Miniland are great. I can just imagine what being there in person is like. It reminds me of Madurodam in Holland.

Wow, that place is huge!

Wow, who knew there was so much cool stuff at Legoland? We'll have to keep that in mind if we ever decide to venture off of WDW property someday. The Miniland models look amazing!

But on to Disney!

It's a bit of a haul from Disney, but well worth it.

Legoland does look intriguing.


I will put it on the someday list...... maybe with the fictional grandkids that won't be around any time soon.

You can always borrow someone else's. Heck, if you're paying, you can take us!

Legoland looks like it has much more to offer than I had heard from others. I'm glad your family enjoyed it.

And we didn't even get to all of it!

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Nobody wanted to sell the "cigarettes"?

Well, let's just be thankful that a bag of Doritos didn't fall out when you opened your locker. You'd have never made it out alive.

Good one Andy. MUST HAVE DORITOS!

It appears that I have misled you with my wording. They weren't that kind of cigarettes. I'm not sure what foreign speaking country these folks were from, but they either brought their one smokes with them from home or stopped by the everglades on their way, grabbed some swamp grass and rolled their own. All I remember was that they were brown and stunk to high heaven.

Great update Barry. Doubt I will ever get to Legoland but it was nice to see it. Were you tempted to play Godzilla in Miniland? I would.

Thanks CJ. What kind of person do you think I am that would rampage through Lego models stomping, smashing and "ROOOOOAAAR!!!"ing the entire time? Because yes, I'm totally that person.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

For all of you that have been waiting patiently (or not so patiently) for us to arrive at the Disney portion of this trip: we're here.

We woke up on the morning of August 20, packed up most of our stuff (at least one suitcase was staying at Grandma & Grandpa's house. It didn't lighten out load too much, but every little bit helps) and got all dressed up in our Mickey Mouse finest.

We piled in the cars and headed straight for our home-away-from home for the next 9 nights:

Disney's Boardwalk Villas. We'd stayed across the lake at the Beach Club Villas a few times a really liked the location: walking (or boating) distance to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. But we decided on the Boardwalk for two reasons: (a) we've never stayed there before and (2) that's where the party was. (More on that in a future chapter)

We knew that arriving at 9 am or so that our room would not be ready, but we wanted to get checked in, get our KTTW (including dining plan) and drop off our bags with bell services. Certainly we could have left the bags in the cars, but we had some refrigerated and some frozen stuff. In case you didn't know, bell services has refrigerators and freezers to store your stuff in. All you have to do is ask.

After we got our stuff squared away, we gathered up our park bag and headed for the bus stop. A few minutes later our bus pulled up. No sooner had we gotten on, sat down and started pulling away from the bus stop did I get a text message saying our room was ready. Well played, front desk. Well played.

While the convenience to Epcot and DHS is top notch, the bus service to Magic Kingdom, Dowtown Disney and Animal Kingdom was pretty hit and miss. Depending on what time of day you got on the bus, might go right there, or you might stop at the Swan, then the Dolphin, then your destination. Sometimes it would be Swan, Dolphin, Yacht Club, Beach Club, then your destination. And sometimes your bus driver takes a wrong turn at Albuquerque and you end up in a rabbit tunnel going into Ft. Knox.

But no matter, we eventually made it to the Magic Kingdom. We usually make it to the park around rope drop, so getting there at about 10:30 was a bit odd for us. It did, however, let us experience some things that aren't usually out firs thing in the morning. Things such as a trained firefighter trusting Madison with an ax. Seriously, nothing good can come from that girl wielding at sharpened hunk of metal on a stick.

After a quick "We're in Disney World!" picture...

... we made a hard left at Casey's and charged with a full head of steam right toward Adventureland! Nothing is going to stop us! We were steely determined to ....OH! LOOK A CUTE LITTLE BUNNY!

SO CUTE AND FUZZY AND CUDDLY AND OMG LOOK AT THOSE EARS AND HIS ADORABLE LITTLE EYES AND ...

Ah Hem.

What?

You know we have bunnies back home, right?

Yeah.

Shall we continue on then?

OK.

<Sigh.> OK, so we headed over to Adventureland to get drenched in our customary Camel Spit.

And yes, I realize that saying that phrase about any other place in the world would sound totally insane, but when you're talking about the Magic Kingdom it sounds...well....slightly less insane. But the kids like it, so, whatever.

Onward we marched back to Frontierland and two of our favorite attractions - Big Thunder and Splash Mountain. After grabbing Fastpasses for BTMRR, I got a call from a fellow DisDad, Brian (twokids0204) He was standing in front of Space Mountain with his son and two extra FastPasses. Madison and I decided to go for it while Bambi took her parents, Evan and Ryder to Pirates.

Ryder's reaction: he seemed to enjoy it. Which, when translated into the mannerisms of a 5 month old meant that he didn't fall asleep or scream through it.

Meanwhile, Madison and I met up with Brian and his son and we ventured into a completely new ride for Madison. The universe finally aligned to allow us to take a trip where she was tall enough to ride and the ride was actually open. She sat in front of me, which allowed me to put my hand on her shoulder through the entire ride. I would have liked to pull it back and give my arm a rest, but she was grabbing on to it and screaming like it like her life depended on it. Needless to say, she didn't (seem to) enjoy the ride one bit. She was a bit shaken on the moving walkway to the gift shop/exit. But when we met Brian's wife and daughter there, Madison turned to look at me with that devilish gleam in her eye and asked if we could ride it again.

Hmmmm....me thinks she like it a little more than she let on. However, we had to meet back up with the rest of the family as it was now getting on to lunch time. We walked back toward the hub with Brian and his family, pausing for a "pictures or it didn't happen" picture.

We took a few more steps, then paused for another reason. A large crown had developed and it made traversing the sidewalk rather difficult. The reason:

A family of ducks was trying to cross the path. I really don't know why (if it were chickens, I'd say "to get to the other side", but clearly these are ducks. Nobody knows what ducks are thinking.)

We found everyone else holed up in the back of Columbia Harbor House, where Bambi's mom was trying her hardest to feed Ryder.

Mmmm...looks like peaches were on the menu that day. After our meal, Ryder (who didn't really care for those peaches) was still a bit peckish. And by that, I mean he was screaming his bloody head off. I found a nice shady spot outside Columbia Harbor House to give him a bottle while Evan and Bambi headed to Space Mountain for Evan's first ever ride and Madison and her grandparents headed across the way to Haunted Mansion. While I was sitting there, a nice elderly lady sat down next to me with what I assume was her granddaughter. We started chatting a little bit and I found that she was from Wales and kept saying things like "what a bonnie little baby." I still don't know what that means, but I was assured it was a good thing. I also decided that we needed a British nanny - even if she didn't have magical powers like Mary Poppins. They're just fun to listen to.

After Ryder finished his bottle and fell asleep, the family emerged from the Haunted Mansion - shaken, but relatively unscathed from the 999 happy haunts. I did a quick head count and found that none of my family decided to to take up the offer of "room for one more."

They were off again in the direction of Fantasyland, while I took Ryder up to the front of the park to meet Bambi and Evan. Madison had an appointment at Bibbity Bobbity Boutique later in the week, so it was only fair that Evan got a date with the scissors at the Harmony Barbershop. Ryder started to protest, but I put an end to that when I pointed out that he really didn't have any hair yet.

The "Before":

And the "After":

The freshly trimmed Evan and I started wandering up Main Street in the general direction of where ever it was that we were going to meet up with everyone else, but decided to stop and watch the rest of the Dream Along With Mickey show.

(I like that last shot. It makes it look like the Princesses are giving a little wave to Walt & Mickey)

Smoochy, smoochy.

A short (sorry Evan, I couldn't resist a height joke here. You can get me back when you're 18 and 4 inches taller than me) stop in the giftshop to check out the Agent P hat, then....

...it be Dole Whip Time!

We met up with Brian and his family at Aloha Isle where I had him take that picture so I could text it to my nemesis, Tim. Just to remind him that I was at WDW and he wasn't.

While we were enjoying our Dole Whips, we were joined by another DisDad, Chris (clearscreen). I assume he has a better picture where his eyes are open, but I have to work with what I have.

After cleaning up and a potty break, we headed toward the Jungle Cruise. The wait was a bit too long and might make us miss our Splash Fast Pass return time, so we headed to Frontierland. It was convenient because Brian had BTMRR Fast Passes, so we let life long best friends Madison and Baylee lead the way.

So what if they had only met that morning. That doesn't mean they can't be BFFs.

UP NEXT: We get wet. And not from Splash Mountain.