Return to Magic Kingdom - Day 6

We decided to sleep in this morning... because our 4 busy days and 3 late nights are beginning to catch up to us.  Besides today was the day to repeat a park so we didn't feel any pressure to rush through.

We grabbed the bus for the resort a little after 9:00 am.  On the ride over, I made a plan of the different rides we wanted to repeat and the few areas of the park we had missed on Day 1.  Plan in hand, we headed into the park, ready to finish strong.

 

Here was the plan for today...
 
Pirates of the Caribbean
Lunch at Pinnochio's Place
Peter Pan
Story Time with Belle
Ariel's Little Mermaid
Seven Dwarfs Mine Ride
Buzz Lightyear
Snacks for everyone
Tyler shopped for a Light Saber
and for our grand finale... Space Mountain!!

We headed back to the resort for a little down time and a chance to pack our bags.   We took a quick walk over to the lobby to get Sammy her toy.  I took the following pics of the golf course near our room.  The lighting was gorgeous.

We need to leave for dinner around 6:15 pm to make our 7:05 pm reservation at The Captain's Grille, at a different Disney Resort.  We met the whole family downstairs for 2 vans and headed over for dinner.

It was fun exploring the other resort while we waited.  There was a pretty elaborate train set up in the lobby, a fun gift shop to explore and a quiet walk on the boardwalk to the lighthouse out back.

In no time at all, we were all seated for dinner.  Everyone agreed it was a wonderful meal!

We took a couple vans back to the resort and agreed to meet in the morning at 6:00 am for our transfer to the airport.

Its always bitter sweet to wrap up a vacation.  The kids have really enjoyed our 2nd trip to Disney, we made memories with family and literally took on every major ride at Disney World.  2016 was our year!

Hollywood Studios, Our Final Park - Day 5

This morning we needed to get an early start so we could be at the gate drop of Hollywood Studios.
We were up and headed out by 8:00 am.  Dad woke up with some congestion so he stayed back at the resort while Mom came with us.

We got right in the park and headed to Toy Mania to put our name in.  While we were in the section of the park that focuses on Toy Story, we met some toy soldiers and then Buzz & Woody.

Then it was off to the Frozen Sing-A-Long.  We sat in the very front row!  It was a super-cute show and Sammy absolutely loved it.  We all sang along and enjoyed the show.

By now Dad was headed to the park so we made our way to the front of the park to meet him, stopping to see the parade of Storm Troopers.  Mom met up with Dad while we grabbed a coffee from Starbucks.

Then we met Sarah and Jeff by the the next Fast Pass... Star Wars - the __ continues.  It was a 3D simulator that brought us into space to fight the Empire.  It was lots of fun!  After this we all went back to the Toy Mania ride and enjoyed it as a party of 10.  The kids paired up to ride together... boys and girls.

Next we headed over to the other side of the park to put our name in for the Rock 'N Roll Coaster.  We had about an hour to wait so we ran to get some snacks, use the restrooms and take our photos.

We met Jeff back at the ride around 12:30 and boarded right away.  Tyler and Jeff were riding in the front seat, Sammy and I directly behind them and Scott alone in the third row.  It was a great ride!  Super fast, dark and upside down.  We all loved it!

Our family headed over to see Beauty and the Beast next.  Its a great show and Sammy absolutely adores the songs and costumes!

After the show we headed to the ABC Commissary for lunch.  We filled up and then headed right over to get in line for the Indiana Jones Stunt Show.  Again we had front row seats... great view and fun show!  Jeff even had the chance to be a stand-in for the adventure.  It was lots of fun to watch someone we know on stage!

As soon as the show let out, we decided to head back to the resort for some rest time.  Tyler watched his movie from yesterday while Sammy found something on TV instead.

We left again around 6:00 pm for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.  We took a cab to cut down on the amount of crowds, etc because we knew tonight might be a challenge.  But the cab driver dropped us off at the Transportation Station instead saying we just needed to grab the monorail.  So we agreed and headed in only to find the monorail was closed.  We were directed to a ferry next but with over 600 people ahead of us in line and a crowded staging area, we decided to look for another way.  So, in the end, we ended up on a bus anyway.  Ugh.

When we finally arrived and made it through the gates, I was pretty overwhelmed by the number of people in the park.  So much so, I wanted to turn back and head home.  We ran into the rest of the family near the big Christmas tree and took a group photo.

Then Mom and Dad and the DeYoungs headed out to find a spot and we took a minute to make a plan.  I ended up going back to Guest Services to ask for help.  The lady must have realized how helpless I felt, because she did an amazing job answering my questions and giving great advice.  Exactly the info I'd been looking for (and calling about) all day.

So we made our way down a side path that by-passed Main Street.  On our way, we stopped to take some family photos and grabbed our complementary cookies.  The path eventually popped out between Main Street and Tomorrowland where we found another Guest Service employee and were excerpted to a great spot to watch the shows, parade and fireworks.

We enjoyed the show with Mickey on stage.  Then the characters from Frozen and finally it was time for the parade.  We were front and center and Sammy was so eager to wave at each and every character she recognized.

After the parade was done, Mom and Dad found us.  Dad and I headed out to get some food for the group.  In the meantime, the DeYoungs stopped by.  Jeff and Maddie decided to head home so Sarah and Kyle stayed with us for the fireworks.

It was an amazing show!  Thrilling... like I've never seen before.

We headed out down Main Street with the crowds of people.  I couldn't help think it ironic that they were pumping fake snow out onto the guests as we are here avoiding the real thing at home.

We took the monorail back to the Transportation Station and then took 2 cabs home of the night.  The ride home was pretty quiet... I know everyone is pretty tired today and we are all sure to sleep well!

Magic Kingdom - Day 2

It was our first day for the parks and we couldn't believe it but our kids slept in!  We got up and got ready waiting to hear the kids begin to stir... nothing!  So instead we had to go in and wake them up after 9:00 am!  We got ready for the morning but got a text from Mom that Dad was down with a migraine this morning.  So she stopped over while the kids ate breakfast.  Jeff and Sarah's family got an early start and headed to the parks around 8:00 am.

While eating his toaster strudel Tyler announced that he needed to spit it out, that there was something hard in his food.  He did and we found another molar had come out.  Of course he lost a tooth!  We are traveling.

As soon as we were ready, we packed up and hit the buses to head to Magic Kingdom.  Bev came along so she wouldn't miss our breakfast reservations and allowed Ray some extra time for the meds to kick in.

When we arrived at the park around 10:30, it was packed!  Huge swarms of people waited to get through security and into the park gates.  Luckily, we just walked past and headed over to the monorail station.  We met the DeYoungs outside the station and boarded for a quick trip to the Polynesian Resort where O'Hana is, our character breakfast for the morning.

We ate close to noon.  The food was AMAZING.  Served family style, the skillet included waffles, bacon, sausage, eggs and potatoes.  Plus we had pineapple bread to start!  The kids participated in the parade around the restaurant and they all enjoyed the chance to meet Mickey, Pluto, Lilo and Stitch.

After breakfast (or lunch) we all took the monorail back to the park.  After entry, our family headed to the guest services office to get Sammy's disability pass.  The line was long but worth it.

 

Next up, we headed over to the section of the park called Tomorrowland.  On the way, we ran into Ray and Bev eating a snack.  Ray had met up with Bev after the meal and they were just about to get a start on the rides.

Because the 6 of us had a fast pass together, we hung out for a bit and then headed over to the Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin.  It was lots of fun.

Next we hit the Monster's Inc Laugh Floor, a 20 minute comedy show.  The kids loved it!  Then we made use of the disability pass for a ride on Space Mountain... our very first time.

Dad came along and we were able to walk right on!  It was so much fun!  Single file seating in 6 cars per ride.  Set in the dark so you cannot see what's coming.  The ride was great!  Both kids really enjoyed it and Sammy immediately asked if we could return.

But we had other things to get to so we boarded the train and headed over to another section of the park.

We decided to stop for a drink and ran into the DeYoung family.  They gave us a quick update on their day so far.

Once we were finished we headed over to do the Mountain Railroad Roller Coaster.  Bev sat out for this one and I'm pretty sure Kyle wished he would have, but he was super brave and handled it really well even if he didn't care for it.

Next up, we headed over to Splash Mountain.  The ten of us filled a boat.  It was fun being able to have these shared experiences!

It was starting to get late so we headed over toward our next Fastpass at the Jungle Cruise.  It was a short river boat tour filled with bad humor but with a holiday theme for Christmas.  Sammy wasn't excited to be on board but did it anyway and actually shared a joke with the boat toward the end.  "What do you call a three-humped camel?  Pregnant!"

We decided to find a quick service restaurant next so Jen went on ahead while the family took a restroom stop.  The first place I found was Columbia's __ House.  Jeff didn't find anything he liked on the menu so their family moved on.  But the Breen's and us enjoyed a quick meal.  Afterwards, we decided to run back to our room to reset before the fireworks.  Bev and Ray went out to find Sarah and Jeff for more rides.

As the sun went down, the park began to come alive with Christmas lights.  The displays were gorgeous, best of all was Cinderella's castle!

We grabbed a cab to get back to the Contemporary Resort, well a second one since the first one never showed.  They weren't quite ready to send out boats when we arrived so we sat for just a moment catching up before the processed the reservation.

Captain Mike took us out for our pontoon ride.  He was a wonderful guide and shared all sorts of fun facts about Disney and its early stages.  It was fascinating.

We enjoyed the light show parade that floats along the water on barges.

And then enjoyed the main event... fireworks over Cinderella's castle.  It was wonderful.   Snuggled up under the stars, quiet night, calm water, quiet Disney-themed soundtrack and beautiful color display overhead.  Loved every minute of it.

We grabbed taxis to get home quickly and avoid the fireworks crowd.  Then it was bedtime for everyone!

Day one is in the books and boy, was it a good one!

Magic Kingdom - Part 2

 Because we didn't make it all the way through the Magic Kingdom on Monday, we decided to go back today to finish it up and repeat a few favorites.  But first, we scheduled a Character breakfast at 'Ohana at the Polynesian Resort.

It was great!  First we use maracas to dance in a parade around the restaurant and then had a chance to meet Mickey, Pluto, Lilo, and Stitch.  Our favorite was Stitch... He was quite the stinker!  Tyler loved the Mickey-shaped waffles.   Sammy didn't eat a bit of the food but was giddy to meet her friends.  She had a moment wig Mickey all to herself and gave him a kiss on the nose.  It was so sweet!

 

 

 

Since we were already so close to the park, we left our car in valet and took the monorail the rest of the way.  The kids were so excited to finally ride!

As we got inside the park, a parade was starting so we stopped for a peak through he crowd.

We had to run to the back of the park to ride Splash Mountain.  It was closed on Monday, so we scheduled a fast pass to be sure we got to ride.  The kids wanted to ride together in the front row!!!  It was priceless to see Tyler's reaction as we crested the top of the big drop!  Both kids LOVED it.

Next we did our favorite roller coaster from Monday.  The kids again chose to ride together.  Tyler even raised his hands for the better part of the ride.  

 Between the large crowds and hotter temps, Sammy sap tarted having a hard time, so we grabbed some lunch and calmed down.  After that, we wanted to get to the other side of the park in Tommowland, so we took a train to give her a break.

Next we rode rides based on Lilo & Stitch, Monsters Inc, and Toy Story.  He kids enjoyed seeing the characters from some of their favorite movies!! 

At that point, we decided to head back to the resort for some down time.  We took them over to a different pool at the resort but had to cut it short because it started to rain.  It was only a short shower though, it stopped before we walked back to our building.

We got cleaned up and headed over to Downtown Disney for a late super at the Dining Room at Wolfgang Pucks.  The food was so good but took a little while to arrive.  The kids were done eating well before Mom and dad were served.  So we quick finished and packed up dessert to go.

At this point, we haven't allowed the kids to spend any money on toys or trinkets.  But on our walk back, we le them each pick out a light up toy!  Tyler has been watching these all week long.

And Sammy couldn't wait to put on her Minnie PJs to match her new light up ears.

It was another great day today!  So many smiles and so many memories!