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Day 4 - 1/28/2003 - (Tuesday)
We were all pretty excited today since we were going back to the Magic Kingdom for the entire day. We scoffed down a quick breakfast and headed out the door (yes, we got dressed first). We didn't even stop for our morning drink with our refillable mugs today - just straight through to the bus. Or so we thought. We waited a very long time for a bus today, we saw like 3 MGM buses come and go before one finally showed up for MK. No matter though, we are all in a great and magical mood and now we are off.
Before we started coming to WDW with our children my dh wasn't the most eager to travel anywhere without a beach. (Where he could lay/splash around for FREE) We had been to WDW once before together before the kiddos - and we basically ate our way around the world that trip. LOL - translation - we spent a LOT of money. I think he was afraid to go back after that.
Let me just say thank you TheMouseForLess because after learning how we could do it for much less and convincing him to go back...and then watching the transformation take place in him from grumpy tightwad (said in the most loving tone of voice) to the man I saw before me after exiting the bus at MK - well, that's magic all by itself. My husband is now the one who is getting excited before a trip, counting down the days, etc...and right at that moment as I strapped Kyra back into her stroller and hung the cameras across the back and looked up to say something to my hubby- he was the one half running, half
skipping hand in hand with Maya - chanting with her "We're at the Magic Kingdom!!" I think they looked back to check on me and Kyra...maybe once?
Eventually we caught up with them at the gate (dh had my pass in the fanny pack - he knew he better not leave me behind!) Once inside we were amazed at the number of characters out and about. This was true of our whole trip. I have never seen so many characters. My daughter completely filled her autograph book this trip, and we skipped many characters because she wanted to get to the
rides. While dh took her and Kyra (seated firmly in her stroller refusing to move) to meet and greet the multitude of characters, I went into Le Chapeau to get mouse ears for my girls and nieces with their names on them. They look great and I still don't know how that lady did that while looking at me and talking the whole time. Wow. Thanks MFL for letting me know about this - made for a great souvenier since our girls never have anything with their names on them.
Finally we get off of Main Street and the keyword for the day becomes BIRDS. It seems they were out in full force today and were really becoming a nuisance. We saw many snacks and goodies being stolen right from people's hands! One woman was putting a potato chip to her mouth when a bird swooped down and smacked her with his wing and took it away!! And there was a man who thought he would take his tray back inside with their trash. It looked like a scene from the movie "The Birds". About 4 birds swooped in and were attacking his
tray. He finally dropped it and ran. (There were a few scraps of food still on his tray) I personally would've just passed out. I passed another lady with a crying child in a stroller and the woman was saying "I know the birdie took your hot dog, we're going to get another one just hold on"
Took her hot dog????
LOL, I was halfway waiting for them to swoop down and take Kyra. (Although she wasn't even the slightest bit bothered by them...she'd munch on her cheese crackers and just wave her little fat hand and say "Shoo birdies shoo!")
So, we made a mental note that we would NOT be eating outside today and moved on to Adventureland. My girls (Kyra in particular) love the Aladdin ride so we did this and then the Tiki Birds (which Kyra hated). I don't much care for the newer version and would've been happy to skip it, but Maya wanted to check it out. She wasn't too impressed so we moved on...she was very anxious to get to the Frontierland mountains. We did a few more things and then began our
marathon on Splash Mountain. Okay, not a marathon - but I ended up being much wetter than I had originally planned. I think we may have ridden this 4 times??? I lost count after the first two. Then I sat out Thunder Mtn, while Hector and Maya rode that two or three times in a row. There was not a long wait for anything - which surprised me because the park seemed more crowded than usual (probably because they were open later than usual that night and having Spectromagic) but even with the apparent increase in crowds, we never
waited longer than 5-10 minutes for even the biggies. Maybe we were hitting it just right, who knows.
After this we realized that we were going to have to see the afternoon parade. Maya informed us that she HAD to see it. She kept saying that and said she HAD to be in the front. Finally, we find out it is because Peter Pan had told her he would be looking for her in the parade later on. (She met Peter that morning on Main Street and he spent a good amount of time teasing her about having too many birthdays, etc.) So she said she HAD to be where he could see her during the parade. LOL, I think it's safe to say someone has a crush!
They were putting up the ropes for the parade, so I get dh and myself a dole whip and the littles a chocolate ice cream. (Forgetting for some reason that Kyra doesn't even like ice cream - dh didn't mind - he ate some of her's too) And we stake out our spot near the popcorn stand in Liberty Square. While waiting and eating our ice cream, a guy who is in the college program there who is standing next to us starts up a conversation. He was there to see his roommates who were in the parade. This turns out to be pretty cool as he got lots of attention from the characters that he knew and this trickled down to Maya as well. (Kyra fell asleep right as the parade was starting) Maya got pulled out during the show stop with the villains - and our new friend went with her because she was shy (she doesn't like to meet the villains). This was so cute - and after they all yelled "Get those puppies" with Cruella they came right back. Then our friend (never got a name) was pointing out to Maya that the giant birdhouse was actually the speaker for the music, etc. Maya loves this kind of info. My mom shrieked upon hearing about that - thinking that would ruin the magic for her somehow - but I assure you - it only made more
magic for her. She went around showing me in Epcot for example the next day what things were actually speakers. Huh...smart kid...she even mentioned to me how cool it is that in Disney World they can hide the speakers so well and make things look like part of the scenery. Now you see, this is funny for me...because I'm one of the people that is like "Ooooh....that's a nice birdhouse!" If someone had asked me "okay smartie, where's the speakers for the parades, fireworks, etc.?" I am quite sure my answer would've been, "Hmmm,
just Disney magic I guess!" LOL (Oh and Peter did wave in Maya's direction...and she waved til I thought her little arm would fall off. I'll let you know when they've set a date)
I won't go into every single ride and attraction, although it's hard not to at this park. Every one was so special for one reason or another. In no particular order here's some of the most special moments of our day:
Maya worked up all her nerve to ride the Haunted Mansion with me for the first time. I picked her up in the stretching room and she rode the whole ride with her face buried in my side. When she got off, she yelled "I want to ride it again...it was great!" ??? So she went on with daddy and and acted like a tour guide for him. Sat up, pointed things out, etc. This became one of her favorite rides.
While riding Snow White - Kyra (my two year old) yells out "Don't eat that apple Snow White!!!!" in her cutest little baby voice. After the ride we get off and she is shaking her head. I asked her what was the matter and she says "I told her not to eat that apple, but she wouldn't listen".
While waiting to meet Ariel - all the parents were waiting in line while all
the kids were running around in the play area (that usually has water) just running around and burning off steam. We kept moving down with the line and could see the children at all times. I watched Kyra go over to the place where she had left us a couple of times, look for us and then give up and go back to playing. Finally, she goes over there and looks around. I pointed out to dh what she was doing and being the mean folks that we are we laugh. Well, we both watch as she actually shrugs her shoulders and takes off for Dumbo!!!! Hector sprinted over there and got her and all the other parents in line were laughing (since we knew she was safe). I guess she just figured, "well, what
am I waiting around here for when Dumbo is over there!!!" She did meet Ariel though and even went back for a second hug.
Kyra wanted to ride the teacups with me and Maya (dh doesn't do spinning rides as he has a weak stomach) but I was nervous because Kyra has a pretty weak stomach too. So after instructing Maya not to spin the teacup I watch Kyra carefully and she seemed to do fine. Maya however fell off of the edge of the seat she was laughing so hard. She really fell onto the floor. (She was sitting right by the door and the break in the seat.) She was fine...just couldn't stop laughing. After the ride was over I look at Kyra and ask her how she liked it. Well, her little eyes are still moving side to side and she says "I don't like it mommy" I asked her if she was dizzy and she shook her head
yes. So, Maya and I hand her over to dad so she can recover and we go again - this time spinning like maniacs and laughing hysterically the whole time. This ride would be so boring alone...but it's one of those rides that I just can't stop laughing when I'm with someone else.
After riding tons of rides and many of them multiple times we head into the Columbia Harbour House for dinner and have such a good time that we are completely shocked when we come out and Spectromagic has just started. Doh!!!! This was the whole reason that I had planned our MK day for today!!! Oh well...going with the flow we get as good a spot as we can behind everyone and put the kiddos on our shoulders so that they can see over the tops of folks' heads. This worked well enough until I started wimping out. (Hubby didn't buy
my explanation that I have a "weak neck". Hey...it sounded good at the time.) So since we've all seen it before we take a vote and everyone decides we should blow off the parade and go find a good spot to see Tink and the fireworks. (We never get to see Tink)
We make it over to the bridge between Tomorrowland and the hub and all is well until Maya realizes that the park is closing. I explained to her that we couldn't ride anymore rides after the fireworks because they would be closed and she just lost it. She went into a full blown panic. We had been having such a good day that she just didn't want it to end. (I hate to admit it but I felt the same way!) She just HAD to get one more ride in...so Hector and Maya head off to ride the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway while Kyra and I hold our spot. They got back just in time and we all got a great view of Tinkerbell making
her way across the park. (And a great view of the fireworks too) I swear, everytime I hear "Second Star to the Right" start playing I just sigh and go all goofy inside.
After the show, we all take potty breaks and the park seems to have almost emptied out by the time we are all through! (And we didn't take that long...) So we wander around a little more taking pictures in front of the castle and pretending we have the place all to ourselves. Once it looks like the crowd has dwindled enough we head out to the bus and get right on an empty bus that was sitting there waiting for us. Talk about magic.
I appreciate you sharing this wonderful day with us if you made it this far...I know it was terribly long - but it was just such an awesome day. We had planned to head to MGM tomorrow, but we had so much fun today that we are coming back to MK again tomorrow morning and heading over to Epcot at MK closing time.
We just can't get enough of this place!
High Points - the whole day
Low points - that it ended
Tomorrow - more of the same with a little Epcot on the side
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