At this point, we were pretty tired out from the first two days spent at Hollywood Studios and Epcot, but the third full day of our vacation would be spent at my favorite park of them all– Disney’s Magic Kingdom. This is the park you should visit if you only have time for one; it’s the true essence of Disney World magic. We all got ready in our blue (why? Because today, we would be getting a group picture pre-breakfast and Deedee [this is what we call my aunt] said to).
We got up bright and early to get ready and catch the Disney bus to Magic Kingdom because breakfast this morning would be at Cinderella’s castle. This has become somewhat of a tradition for my family when we go to Disney. Even with the addition of the new Beauty and the Beast castle (we didn’t eat a meal there this time, but did on our last trip to Disney), nothing quite measures up to Cinderella’s chateau. When you arrive at the castle, you are greeted by the castle hands who announce your royal invitation into the castle for a family photo. Cinderella awaits, much to all of the little girls’ (many who have been dolled up at the Bibbity Boppity Boutique) delights. Then, there was us. We were there for the food. hahaha, but seriously. The breakfast at the castle is actually pretty amazing– coming from a lover of breakfast foods. I hope Brianna never tires of the princesses because I’m not sure I will tire of the food her castle has to offer..
If you’ve got girls, make your reservations ahead of time (you have to or you’ll never get in), and do it. Four other princesses, in addition to Cinderella, circle the ballroom giving autographs and taking photos with all of the little princesses in the ballroom. I did not attach all of these photos, but present were Ariel, Jasmine, Aurora, and Snow White. Sometimes, Belle is there too.
Today was also the day that we all wore our Minnie ears. Each morning prior to, the door to our side of the villa would open and a little voice would say, “Ashley and Kaitlyn, are you wearing your ears today?” Today, the answer was yes, much to Brianna’s satisfaction. The bow on her ears just happened to be blue, perfectly matching today’s blue attire. Special thanks to Vanessa from GoldAndArrows who customized these glittery ears and sent them to our Disney hotel just to ensure we’d have them on time for this big day. 😉
Posing by Kaitlyn’s favorite (starfish) and getting ready to embark on a journey under the sea with Ariel!
20-somethings wear ears too– especially if they’re rose gold and silver. 😉
As with any Disney park, you must go in with a plan. Wandering around aimlessly just won’t get the job done; this isn’t Kennywood, friends. (If you’re not from the Burgh, you might not understand that last one.) Our fast passes for the day were the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Space Mountain– three gems of Magic Kingdom. My aunt and I played around with the Disney Experience website a good bit months ahead to ensure 8 fast passes to these fan favorites. Everything else we needed to do would be penciled in around our morning, afternoon, and evening fast passes.
After breakfast, we had a fast pass for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, but since we had a little time, we went and caught Mickey’s Phillar Magic (a 3D show) prior to so breakfast could settle a little! This is always a fun traditional show, featuring many original Disney characters. After the show, we went to the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, a fairly slow-paced roller coaster that would be good for smaller children or those with weak stomachs. Fast passing a line is one of life’s greatest pleasures; it’s like legally cutting the line. You just scan your magic band at the entrance and seeeee ya.
Brianna and me 4 years ago (2013).
Us this year!
After that, we all rode The Journey of the Little Mermaid. Brianna and I always do this one together. It’s a slow paced ride in a seashell exploring the sea. We always cuddle up in our seashell, take a pic, and enjoy the “ocean” together. <3
After the Little Mermaid ride, the skies looked dark and a huge storm was approaching on the radar. We got in line for It’s a Small World and made it inside just in time for the skies to open up. Phew. This ride is a classic, one I’ve done ever since I was just a little girl. Last time we were at Disney, it was redone, but still very much like the original. It’s a tradition that we make a wish on that ride; it is for many others too as evidenced by the large amount of shiny coins that fill the water. I held on to my coin and made my wish in Hawaii where the girls in Hula skirts dance to the familiar song. We came out of the ride and put on our ponchos because it wast still sprinkling a little. Fortunately, we had missed the whole storm! Just as we stepped out in our ponchos, it stopped. How lucky we were that day!
It rained a little more that day, but not enough to rain on our parade.
Next, we did The Tiki Room and The Laugh Floor. The Tiki Room is a mystical and tropical room where you are serenaded by birds. The Laugh Floor, located in Tomorrowland, has always been at the top of my list. Always. Mike Wazoski from Monsters Inc. and his crew put on a funny show, poking fun at members of the audience and telling corny jokes. I’m gonna go ahead and call it a must-see at Magic Kingdom.
Next, We set out for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. This is a lot like the Toy Story Mania ride at Hollywood Studios (a game), but the Buzz Lightyear ride came first. Toy Story Mania is digital, but the Buzz Lightyear ride has actual tangible targets. When Gregory was little, he often sported full Buzz Lightyear get-up and spouted off, “To Infinity and Beyond” quite frequently. Oh, Buzz was his favorite of them all. When he met him that time in Tomorrowland, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen him happier– even after scoring a hat trick in the semi-finals.
If you go to Disney and don’t try on a crazy hat in one of the stores, did you even go to Disney?!
The two big roller coasters at Magic Kingdom are Thunder Mountain and Space Mountain. There is also a fun water ride, Splash Mountain. I, of course, am recommending all three, the third only if you don’t mind getting a little wet. We did Thunder Mountain (located in Frontierland right next to Splash Mountain) prior to dinner at Tony’s Town Square (located right at the front of Magic Kingdom). It is a Lady and the Tramp-themed Italian restaurant. I always loved that movie. After dinner, we did Space Mountain, an indoor roller-coaster that goes really fast! These two roller coasters are easily two of the best that Disney has to offer (up there with the Rock’n’Roller Coaster)!
We finished up the night with amazing fireworks over the castle. This year was an all-new show with scenes from Disney movies projected onto the castle as if it were a big screen. Disney music flowed through Main Street, USA, as the huge crowd watched in awe. The photo doesn’t even do it justice. The fireworks at Disney are better than the Zambelli ones prior to a Saturday night Bucco game. Swear.
This is by far my longest and most detailed of the four Disney park posts. I hope that I could bring you some of the magic from Disney’s Magic Kingdom or help prepare you for your next trip there through the lines of this blog post! Animal Kingdom is next in the line-up. More soon.
xo,
Ash
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