Vacation Recap Day 3 - Magic Kingdom

Day three of our trip took us to the Magic Kingdom. When you are a Disney Resort guest they offer special "magic hours" where you can enter a park an hour early or enjoy staying later at a park. These hours are only for resort guests so parks tend to be less crowded and can give you a jump start on getting a fast pass for a ride or show. On Thursday the Magic Kingdom offered the extra hour in the morning. The park would be closing at 7:00 pm that day unless you purchased tickets to "Mickey's Haunted Halloween" (we did) and then you could be in the park until midnight enjoying trick or treating, characters in Halloween costumes, a special fire works show as well as other fun activities. The park was far less crowded as well so rides were easier to get on.

We started out quite early and got into the park around 8:30 after taking a boat from our resort. The first thing the kids spotted when they got in were characters Pinocchio and Mary Poppins. Ryan hoped in Pinocchio's line and Anna into Mary Poppins. Right after we got in her line they closed it meaning we were the last ones for that time to get her autograph. As we waited in line I learned from the Disney employee that it is very rare to get Mary Poppins' autograph much less a photo with her as she likes to move about the park rather briskly (very in character don't you think??). Unfortunately the timing was such that Bill had the camera and Ryan and Anna got to the front of their lines at the same time. I had to snap a photo with my camera and forgot to include it in my video so here it is.



Then we headed to Fantasyland and rode "it's a small world," Peter Pan's flight, the Many Adventures of Winne the Pooh, Mickey's PhilharMagic, and the all time classics Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Cinderella's Golden Carousel. The kids also got to visit with Cinderella's Fairy Godmother. In Liberty Square we experienced the Haunted Mansion and after an Italian lunch at Tony's Town Square Restaurant (think Lady and the Tramp) the braver ones in our group (read NOT ME) rode the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster in Frontierland.

At that point the kids were ready for a break so we headed back to the hotel (such a great perk of staying right on Disney property - my parent tip #2) so Bill and the kids could swim and I could try to sort out some of our dinner reservations.

Around 7:00 we headed back to the Magic Kingdom where we stayed until nearly midnight. The trick or treating was fun, the kids met lots of characters including Buzz Lightyear, Tigger and Piglet, and Cinderella's wicked step-sisters and step-mother (they were so funny and so in character). We tried to get in line to meet Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs but they had just closed the line. Bill and Ryan rode Space Mountain twice and on the second time the ride came to an abrupt halt and all the lights came on. Luckily they were near the end so were able to exit but the ride was closed down after that. The kids attended one of Stich's dance parties and had a great time dancing to silly music (o.k. I had fun dancing to it too - those of you who know me well know that this girl LOVES to dance so it is hard to keep me off the dance floor). Bill says his favorite part of the whole day was watching the dancing (not me mind you but Anna!).

We watched the fabulous fire works display and for the last ride poor Bill had to endure the infamous "Mad Tea Party" (think tilt-a-whirl). He doesn't do that type of spinning well but the kids were determined to ride.

This was a super long day but I think my favorite one at what I would say is my favorite park.