On our first afternoon in Magic Kingdom, we were quite lucky to get in the front of the line to meet Rapunzel. Addie Kate thinks Rapunzel is the best princess ever, so we had to see her, no matter what. I knew where to meet her, and just knew we'd have to tough out the line. So when we walked by and saw her finishing up with one crowd, we hopped in line for 20 minutes to wait for her return.
I tried to make it a surprise for AK as to who we were about to meet, but someone around us let the cat out of the bag.
Drew decided to have a huge blowout. I changed him in the stroller for fear of missing my girl seeing her favorite princess.
The garden (used to be Belle's fairytale garden where she had storytime - which I wish they still did), was decorated like the town in the movie.
They had the table below set up for coloring, one of Addie Kate's favorite things to do, which is great to entertain the kids in the long line. However, since we were in the front, there was very little wait for us. Addie Kate was upset when we were leaving and she saw everyone else coloring, but once I grabbed her a paper (I keep crayons with me at all times), she was fine. In fact, I don't think that paper has been colored yet. Geez!
I can't get over my girl with this bun on top of her head. She definitely needs a "softer look" (as my mom put it). But she loved it, and that's all that matters!
Baby boy was ready for a nap. You couldn't take strollers in there, so the Baby Bjorn it was. Both of my babes loved that thing. Drew was actually too big for it -meaning it hurt my back - but we knew we had to take it with us to Disney. Good thing too. I got a good little nap in for him. Of course I could barely walk later, but that was beside the point.
And the big moment:
Rapunzel loved Addie Kate's outfit!
And as always, Addie Kate loved saying that her Mimi had made it for her!
Oh how sweet!
We went to get some lunch after that. Where I wanted to go was crazy crowded (Pinocchio Village Haus), and the other place was closed (Friar's Nook), so we headed to Fantasyland and ate at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn. (Not so great burgers and fries, but at least we were able to sit at a table and not a curb!) And right next door was the Country Bear Jamboree. I wasn't the least bit interested in going to this, but my mom, who of all of us was visited Disney last, said Addie Kate would love it. I think she did, but she was tired, and didn't really comment much. It was old Disney animatronics at it's finest, and I guess a must-do, but nothing special in my opinion.
I was able to feed Drew in there and snap a few pictures.
Addie Kate wanted her picture taken with this Indian. Cracks me up! Sure does make picture making easy these days!
Next up we went on the Walt Disney World Railroad. Fun to be on an open train and see the park. We left the stroller and had to make the whole loop, but had we taken the stroller, we could have been dropped off at Main Street.
Love that sweet daddy!
Oh that sweet angel face and perfect cheeks and eyes. If I could stop time I would right this minute.
I'll never forget that sweet, baby, gummy smile!
And those eyes! My precious girl. I'm one lucky mama!
The Grand Floridian, where I want to stay next time, which will not happen.
After the railroad, we hopped in line for Pirates of the Caribbean. I didn't think it was appropriate for Addie Kate, but the crew member there told me as long as you were bigger than Tinkerbelle, you could ride! Ha! And it was perfectly fine for her.
At this point in the day, the line was a little long. Once we got inside though, there was lots to see. There was also a little girl in line in front of us that Addie Kate talked to, and I conversated with her Mommy, sharing Disney notes and tips. (Although I'm not sure anyone researched like I did!) (She did tell me that we had to do the Mickey Mouse Philharmagic, which I had questions by. We did it on day two, and sure enough, it was one of my, if not my most, favorite thing!)
Addie Kate and the little girl looking at the props.
We headed next to Magic Carpets of Aladdin, which is just like Dumbo (but Dumbo was under construction, so I was glad this was there). While we were in line, we saw Jasmine and Aladdin. The line was a little long, so I had Tommy hop out of it with Addie Kate to run go see them, but as soon as they got over there, it was time for Jasmine and Aladdin to go on break. Luckily, Addie Kate handled all situations like this just fine.
We tried to switch up who got to ride with Addie Kate on each ride, so we'd both get to enjoy some with her. Here, Mom and I got in with Drew in front of AK and Tommy, so I could snap pictures of her in it. I was so glad, her sweet little face is priceless!
And let me add here that my mother was a complete weenie on this ride!
We moved on to go see Tinkerbelle. I knew she wouldn't be at any of the princess dinners, so we just had to tough out and wait for her. Tommy and AK went on to get in line, and mom and I went to retrieve the stroller with Drew (which we had to do on a regular basis -Disney only lets you take strollers in certain places). We also got a Mickey ice cream for AK, but it was so hot, that I had to eat it before it melted!
As soon as we found Tommy, I heard Addie Kate screaming! She was playing on the rope dividers and fell back and hit her head. Tommy had just told her NOT to do that, but she's so hard headed, that she kept on. As soon as we got there with the stroller I put her behind in it and dared her to move. Geez!
The fairy nook was adorable! So "pixie!"
We got to meet Rosetta first. She had a precious country accent, so we felt at home!
She noticed Addie Kate's outfit and said that she has to help Rapunzel every day put flowers in her hair. Then told us it was exactly 47 flowers in her hair. Ha! Addie Kate just stayed spellbound.
Some of the decor.
And then there was Tinkerbelle!
She was cute and mischievous just like in the movies!
Tinkerbelle wanted to meet Drew:
It went over as expected.
Ha! I love it!
Next we headed to Liberty Square and went on the Riverboat ride. Nice and relaxing. Tommy's good about paying attention as to where we should sit, etc. on stuff like this. Good thing because I never pay attention, and it wasn't in my research! We sat right up front, and stayed covered, which was nice because it was hot out there!
Ha! AK kept doing her hands like Drizella told her to! Turkey.
The squirrels were so used to people and came right up to the stroller. The kids loved it.
While waiting for the riverboat, Mom and I headed to the Christmas shop. That was one thing on my list for me to get. I have a fun, special tradition with each child for a Christmas ornament, which I won't disclose on the blog for fear of them reading it one day (but am happy to share with anyone interested), plus we always (like everyone I know, I think) get an ornament for every trip we take. I dearly love my "trip ornaments," and the ornament I got here was gorgeous! I was so excited. I was afraid I'd have to get something gaudy!
Addie Kate loved the carriage outside the Christmas Shoppe and wanted a photo op:
And who could resist that?
And yes, that's outfit number two for Drewsie. Geez.
(Mom wanted a picture of the decorations, I didn't on purpose focus that badly!)
We loved pointing out the castle peering over just about every part of the Magic Kingdom!
We found ourselves looking for something to do, and the Enchanted Tiki Room was right there. Again, a place I had researched and jotted down in my notes as a question. We sat through it, and were not impressed, but it was another Disney classic that all children should see. Addie Kate knew the music from an old Disney soundtrack that I have that I play for her every once in a while. I recognized the music as well, but had no idea that this was what it was from!
We headed to watch the show in front of the castle as it turned dark, then went to get some dinner. This was our first, and only, Disney mistake. If you are planning to be in Magic Kingdom and stay there at night waiting for the parade, then unless you don't mind eating a hot dog and sitting on a street corner, then you must have reservations. We were exhausted at this point and wanted a decent meal around a table with chairs. AK had fallen into a crazy, deep sleep in the stroller. We ended up getting a corndog, eating it while walking to find something else, then eating again in the bakery. I waited in a crazy long line at the bakery (worth it for the carrot cake, cinnamon roll, and coffee), while Mom sat with Addie Kate asleep in the stroller, and while Tommy headed down the crazy crowded Main Street looking for something else to eat. Mom fed Drew sitting on a table. Ha! It was chaos, we were tired, and started to get grumpy. Luckily we each snapped out of it and learned a lesson about reservations, and were once again thankful to have mom there for another set of adult hands.We survived though, and really did enjoy our time in the bakery!
We went out to Main Street and watched the first parade, which was really just whoever Disney had invited to perform. This week it was twirlers, which Addie Kate enjoyed. Then the electrical parade started, which I dearly love. Addie Kate knew about this from the Disney soundtracks that I play for her. She was excited to put the music with the parade. We sat right at the entrance to the park, and getting out was fairly easy. Again thankful for my research here, because I understand getting out can be a nightmare.
Anastasia and Drizella were at it again in the parade!
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs were precious. Snow White walked with a little bounce!
The end had a tribute to America with colonial "men."
Day one was long and wonderful. We were absolutely exhausted, but made it, and slept well. Everyone still had to get a bath that night, and all the bags for the next day had to be prepared, because we had to be at Epcot at 8:00 the next morning. Thank heavens for an abundance of coffee stands all over Epcot!
