Because of Disney's sheer size it doesn't matter where you stay...no matter what, buses and monorails are going to be a part of the experience. Thankfully, Disney has it down to a science and makes it as easy as possible. Each hotel has a shuttle to whatever Disney location you want to visit...and with our park hopper tickets you could visit them all everyday if you wanted! This time we had only one goal: "Magic Kingdom or Bust"!
Waiting for the bus! Can you feel their excitement...they had NO idea what they were really in for!!
Just a short bus ride stands between us and the 'real' castle.
Walking up to the gates Hannah was talking up a storm about the castle and the Princesses...I don't really know what she was talking about at this particular moment, but she looks so stinkin' cute!
We walked in the gates at probably the worst possible time. Planning fail #1. It was right at the tail end their "Celebrate a Dream Come True" parade and it was complete chaos. Despite the excessive noise, immovable crowds of people and lovable Disney characters dancing in the streets, I managed to push our way to the center of town square so the girls could have this view:
And their reactions to seeing it for the first time...
I wish I could have bottled it. Pure wonder and joy. Truly magical.
Once the parade ended, we took a stroll down Main street...with about 10,000 of our closest friends ;) The girls were so overwhelmed by everything that they didn't know what to think! A photo opp was not at the top of their list, but I forced the issue anyway. How can you go to Disney and not get a family shot in front of the castle?? Maybe next time we go Hannah can look like she is enjoying herself ;)
Daddy and Alyssa in front of the iconic Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse Statue...that sky doesn't even look real, does it?!?!?!
Grandpa and Hannah taking in the sights. What should we do first...
Meet a princess, of course!! Waiting in line to meet Merida!!
Our very first princess meet and greet!
Merida was really nice and she had a cool accent ;) The girls really liked her, but they were really shy. I think they were still just in awe that we were finally here!
She is a real princess...
Trying to get a PhotoPass picture with the castle behind us...
Mission Accomplished:
I wish I knew what Alyssa was looking at in this picture!
After taking a look at the castle and meeting Merida it was time for dinner. I had made reservations at Crystal Palace so we could be right in the Magic Kingdom for the first night...and, as luck would have it, we had a stunning view of the Castle from our table. Crystal Palace is a buffet and character dining experience with Winnie the Pooh and Friends. The food was pretty good and, even though the girls don't really like Pooh, Alyssa had fun with the characters. Hannah was pretty nervous (and tired since they had already been up for 13 hours by this point...with NO nap), but warmed up to them as the night went on. Each one visited our table during our meal. They signed our autograph books and posed for pictures.
Alyssa was right behind Eeyore for the 'parade' around the restaurant...Hannah refused to participate :)
After dinner we were all getting really tired...it had been a loooooooong day. We decided it would be better to not any rides, or even show them Fantasy Land, until we could back more rested. Instead, we made a quick trip to Pixie Hollow, which Hannah had seen right before dinner, so the girls could meet Tinkerbell. We also got to meet Rosetta. It was so sweet...it is definitely in the top 10 memories of the whole trip.
Rosetta asked them if she could name some flowers in her garden after them ;) She cute how they stay in character no matter what.
Tinkerbell was awesome. She really took her time signing the girls books and talking with them. Dan was even captivated. When we first saw her he said, "I can't believe how much she looks like her!" Ummm...that is because it is her ;)
After meet the fairies we called it a night. Sweaty and tired we caught the shuttle to Pop Century. Back at the hotel, it took no time at all to get them to fall asleep. Good thing, because we had to be up early for extra magic hours at Animal Kingdom...
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