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!!