Disney - Day 4

Our last full day at Disney we gave it all we had - and it was a long, but fun-filled day!

We decided to head back to Magic Kingdom and we had all of our stops mapped out and the times to meet the princesses all organized. To boot, it was another beautiful and seriously warm day and we were basking in the sunshine while we still could!

We started out with a visit with Princess Tiana...

Then we headed to visit with Jasmine, but when we got there, we realized that the line was long. We decided to watch the Tikki Room bird show, instead. I remembered watching it when I was a kid and loving it! My memory was filled with colourful birds singing lovely songs. What I realized once we were seated and watching the show was that I obviously blocked out the room getting really dark, the thunder claps, and the noise level. Epic fail for mom. Both girls were terrified! Ailee yelled out in a loud voice, "How are we gonna get outta here?!"

That day was all about the character visits, so it was then off to visit with Tinkerbell. I was positive that Ailee would adore Tinkerbell as she loves pretending to play with pixie dust. However, when it was our turn in line, Ailee started freaking out and wouldn't go near Tinkerbell. Turns out Ailee was terrified that Tinkerbell would cover her in pixie dust. She was worried she would start to fly! Tinkerbell tried to reassure her that she doesn't bring her pixie dust around the humans, but to no avail.

Luckily, we had a Fast Pass for our visit to Mickey...

After a quick lunch, we lined up for Maelyn's favourite ride, 'It's a Small World." Ailee had just fallen asleep in the stroller and the stroller wasn't allowed in line, so I carried her. A half hour later and with a really sore back, we climbed into the boat. A very-grateful-me was happy to be in the boat - and Ailee continued to nap, even with all the noise and the loud music.

Once Ailee was awake, we went for another ride on the carousel and then used another Fast Pass for the Little Mermaid ride. This one was a favourite of mine - I loved how they simulated going under the water and the cold rush of air was a welcome relief from the heat. When there were scary parts, I covered Ailee's eyes while she covered her ears. :)

Our last character visit was a coveted one - with Anna and Elsa! The girls were beyond excited to see the sister princesses. Paul and I were beyond excited that we had a Fast Pass and avoided an hour and a half wait in line!! :S 

Although Ailee had smiled and posed willingly and happily with the other princesses, she talked non-stop with Elsa, even telling her that she liked the curtains that were in the room. Too cute!

We finished off our visit to the Magic Kingdom with a ride around the park on the train. It was seven in the evening by the time we left! We had dinner at the resort and then went for our final swim. The girls were thrilled to swim while it was dark outside! It was a chillier evening, but we just love spending time in the pool together. :)

Once the girls were asleep I spent some time packing and then crashed myself.

Disney - Day 3

Today was another wonderful day full of adventures and amazing weather - a perfect day for a birthday. :)

First thing this morning Paul and the girls surprised me with wonderful cards the girls made themselves and a Disney pendant for my new Pandora bracelet - so thoughtful!

This morning was less stressful than yesterday morning, as we weren't racing to get to a FastPass selection in time. We headed towards Epcot on the bus and while on the bus, realized we were sitting beside another family from Newmarket - small world!

The first thing we wanted to do at Epcot was to meet Princess Mulan. We didn't realize that most of the part didn't open until 11 am; but we didn't get there until 10:30, so it wasn't that big of a deal to wait. While we were waiting, one of the hosts asked the girls if they would like to open the park today. Neither of them had any idea what they were agreeing to, but they said yes! They got to go with her and yell loudly that the world showcase was open for the day. Fun!!

Maelyn to Mulan: "Hi Mulan. Did you know that I am Chinese, too?"

The picture of Maelyn with Mulan that was taken by the PhotoPass crew member is
one of my favourites...to come soon!

Ailee was feeling shy this morning, but Mulan knew how to draw her in...

After visiting with Mulan, we headed towards Norway and ended up in a shop full of Frozen merchandise. Oh boy - I had a feeling that this would be where the money Grandpa gave them for the trip would be spent. :)

A look of joy after a spending frenzy...thanks Grandpa! :)

Then it was time for our character lunch. While we were eating, five princesses made their way around the room and greeted everyone at their tables. Maelyn was beside herself with excitement, to the point where she couldn't even eat her lunch. Ailee, who had been cranky and overtired up until this point, started to perk up.

Maelyn's line for Princess Aurora: "I have you on my shirt! Oh, wait! You are also on my (autograph) book!"

Maelyn to Cinderella: "Don't you remember me? You were at my birthday party when I turned five." 

Cinderella replied, "Oh, I thought you looked familiar! It is so nice to see you again!"

Maelyn: satisfied grin on her face...

Maelyn to Ariel: "I don't need your autograph, thank you. I got it yesterday when I met you."
Ariel: "That is when I had my fins/tail. I was at the Magic Kingdom."
Mama: Good save, Ariel!

 

Near the end of the lunch, the princesses start a parade around the restaurant and the kids join in - the girls were happy to join the other kids and go wherever the princesses went.

After lunch we went over to Future World to go on the Soarin' ride that everyone has been recommending. We were excited because we even had Fast Passes for the ride. We were disappointed when we found out that Ailee was two inches to short to go on the ride. Mama and Ailee sat out the ride while Maelyn and Daddy had a blast. Maelyn loved it so much she couldn't decide if she liked the 'It's a Small World' or the 'Soarin' ride better.

By this point in the afternoon it was absolutely boiling. Paul and I were suffering a bit as we are both red and a little burned. We decided to cool off with a treat....or two.

We were going to try and head to Morocco and see Jasmine, but we decided that the pool back at the resort sounded even better. On the way out of Epcot, we ran into Pluto...

After a few more photo opp's with the Photo Pass crew and then a quick bus ride we were in our hotel room, getting ready to swim. Once again, a highlight of the day was spending time together in the pool - the girls just love the water and it was great to cool off.

We have decided that tomorrow we are heading back to the Magic Kingdom - we have some unfinished business there. :)

Disney - Day 2

Today was our day at the Magic Kingdom and we had to get started early. Although the girls slept well last night, we still had to wake them up this morning.

After a quick breakfast, we just made it on the shuttle bus in time and got to the park in about 15 minutes. The girls, especially Maelyn, were beside themselves when they first laid eyes on the castle. They have been waiting for that view for a year now. It was wonderful to watch their excitement!

Using her magic band to enter Magic Kingdom...

We had to head right to the Bibbidi Bopidy Boo boutique because the girls had an appointment to get done up in full princess style.

Getting into their dresses...

What I hadn't accounted for was how overwhelmed the girls would be feeling. Maelyn in particular doesn't like crowds or new situations and her sister is quick to follow if she senses that something isn't right. Throughout the experience, Maelyn had that pensive look that Paul and I are so familiar with and we recognized that she was stressed. We kept reassuring her and eventually she did show signs of enjoying herself, but Ailee sensed her mood and in the middle of getting her hair done, she started to cry - and it broke our hearts. We reassured the girls that they didn't have to stay; we could stop right there and go enjoy some rides. But they both wanted to get dressed up, so they continued and enjoyed the nail painting and glitter more than they did getting their hair done. In all, they were thrilled with the end result and we had happy girls on our hands again.

The pictures that the Disney photographers took are really well done and show the girls all done up - but I haven't downloaded them yet. I will post them later in the week!

Then it was off to explore. We rode the carousel, which the girls loved. Next was the 'It's a Small World' ride; which the girls have decided was the best ride of the day and they are begging to go back and do it again.

We then tried to meet up with Princess Tiana to get her autograph, but we were a little too late. However, we did then end up getting a prime spot from which to enjoy the parade. All of the princesses were in the parade and the spectacle they put on was fabulous! The girls were in awe and they loved every minute of it! Especially when the dragon in the parade breathed fire right as he passed by us!

By that time is was lunch and it was insanely busy! Paul and I can't get over the crowds - and this type-A personality was feeling a little overwhelmed with the immensity of the park and the variety of options and choices one has to make. Lunch was no exception - crazy lines, crazy amounts of people.

On a side note, our girls with distinctly Asian taste buds haven't enjoyed the food here very much; they are living on grapes, french fries, and pizza.

After lunch we headed to Ariel's Grotto just in time to use our Fast Pass - which was fabulous because we didn't have to wait in line at all! The girls were able to meet Ariel and get her autograph. So much fun!

When we were walking we realized that we were close to where we would be able to meet Merida. We took a chance and were one of the last people to be able to greet her that day. It was boiling outside by that point in the day, but the wait was worth it!

We had one more stop and Fast Pass to use before heading back to the hotel. We went to visit Belle, where they put on an interactive play with the audience. The set and details were amazing, but Ailee doesn't like loud noises and some of them were scary, so she spent most of the time hiding in Mama's shoulder. Paul and I loved it because it was air conditioned!! :)

On the walk back to the bus (which took awhile because another parade was going through Main Street), Ailee feel asleep and had a power nap. As soon as we got back to the hotel, we had a snack and then after changing, we went for a swim.

The girls adore being to spend time in the water and giggle almost the entire time we are in the pool. It was tough getting them out!!

Tomorrow, we are off to Epcot and lunch with the princesses!!