In our second day in Florida, we hit the ground running. After having gone to bed at 8:45 the night before, waking up at 6:30 AM wasn't too painful. We had a quick breakfast at the hotel and were on the first shuttle to the Magic Kingdom at 7:55. The goal was to get to the Magic Kingdom before it opened. That way, we could enjoy their daily opening ceremony and beat some of the crowds. Although there are always lots of people there for the opening ceremony, they seem to disperse quickly when they enter the park. Everyone has their own game plan! We certainly had ours. Last year, when we went with the big gang, George and I would run around the park getting Fast Passes. I did the same this year, and although the parks were packed with people, we rarely waited more than ten minutes for any ride!
Cristie and Whitley in front of Main Street Station at the front of the Magic Kingdom. We are waiting for the train to roll in with Mickey, Minnie, and the gang!
Still waiting.
...and waiting...
It looks like we are the only ones!
One very excited family!
Almost time!
Here we are inside of Belle's cottage from "Beauty and the Beast." This is one of the big attractions in the new Fantasyland, so we headed their first. They take you into another room where guests step through a magical mirror and get "magically" transported to the the Beast's castle. It is a pretty cool effect.
This is the clam shell we rode around in for the "Little Mermaid" ride. They essentially show you the whole movie in animatronic form while blasting you with the famous songs. It works! Whitley is captivated!
Whitley poses in New Fantasyland near Belle's cottage and Gaston's Tavern.
The girls are posing by the Little Mermaid ride.
Whitley and I had to take a ride on the carousel, of course. I was afraid that my horse would collapse under my weight, but it survived.
Whitley takes her first ride in Dumbo.
I joined her for the second ride. Dumbo was not even open last year because of renovations. Now they have two sets of them and a circus-themed playground to hang out in when the line is slow. (Disney thinks of everything!)
We take our first ride on Pirates of the Caribbean. We both look a little nervous here. I was actually very excited. This is the first ride I ever went on in Disney World 32 years ago. It is still probably my favorite!
We didn't get to ride the train last year either. This was a relaxing loop around the park before our big lunch with the princesses.
Cinderella's Royal Table is a restaurant inside the castle in the center of the Magic Kingdom. While they serve you lunch, the various Disney princesses come to visit you at your table. The first to visit us was Snow White.
Before you go into the restaurant, Cinderella greets you downstairs. It is a nice photo opportunity.
Whitley got to meet Princess Aurora (A.K.A. Sleeping Beauty.)
One of Whitley's favorite princesses (and certainly mine) is Ariel from the Little Mermaid.
Whitley gets a hug before I push her out of the way to get mine!
This is Whitley with Jasmine from Aladdin. Personally, I found her costume to be too skimpy and offensive. I was sure to film her in case I wanted to lodge a complaint later! Disgusting!
Whitley received a magic wand to make wishes. I believe it worked because...
...her dessert was to decorate her own cupcake.
She really took her time decorating that cupcake!
Ta Da!
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| Whitley sat on my shoulders to watch the parade before we left the park for the day. |
Grammy, Papa, Glenis, and Haydon met us for dinner at Raglan Road.
Whitley got to wear her new Star Wars shirt to dinner.
I am glad we made reservations. The place was packed! We got to sit in this fun alcove/booth.
The restaurant even had entertainment. These Irish dancers were stomping all around their stages! Whitley likes to watch dancers do their thing.
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