Grand Adventure, Day 2

[vdansk]

Friday, 2/6/09

The next day was the Magic Kingdom, and Joy walked like a trooper. After a good breakfast at Whispering Canyon Café (Don’t ask for the ketchup!) we took the launch over, and entered the park perhaps 15 minutes after opening. It was cool--50’s in the morning, 60’s later--and the park was pretty quiet until about noon. We rode the teacups first, then Winnie-the-Pooh, then Peter Pan and Small World. It was still too cold for Splash Mountain, so we were heading for the Haunted Mansion when we were diverted by a wall of cheerleaders. (It happened to be the day of the National competition, explaining the troop on our flight!) Instead, we went to the Jungle Cruise, intending to get Fast Passes, and found only a 5 minute wait. Leah was given a chance to steer, and the ride was enjoyed by all. Next was Pirates of the Carribean, where Joy gamely stomped her feet in her light up sneakers when it became too dark or spooky.

We went back to the Haunted Mansion, where a terrified small child ahead of us in line almost caused Joy to skip it! She was persuaded to give it a try, and pronounced it “A little scary but OK”, but had no interest in riding it again. We took a break for lunch, at which point Joy was obviously tired, so we took a launch back to our hotel for a nap.

Joy and I had a lovely 2 hour nap, and Leah had a 15 minute power nap, and then it was time to head back to the Magic Kingdom to see Aunt Terri and Uncle Don, who live in Orlando. The 3 o’clock parade was just reaching Main Street when we arrived, so we were able to watch the parade; ride lines were much longer, but we were also able to watch the Dream Along with Mickey show on the Castle Stage; this, along with the Winnie the Pooh ride, were the high lights of Joy’s day. Finally we connected with Don and Terri, and had supper together at Cosmic Ray’s, where I splurged on chili cheese fries. (Just like college!)

After dinner, Uncle Don took Leah onto Splash Mountain, nobly earning favored Uncle status, while the rest of us caught the Monster Laugh Floor; later, they did Astro Orbiter while we rode both Snow White and repeated Winnie the Pooh. Then it was time for the Fireworks--we found an empty bench to the right of the castle; a tree partially blocked the castle, but we had a clear view of both Tinkerbell and the fireworks! They were incredible, choreagraphed to Disney song segments, with an overarching story line, and we all loved them. Finally we said good night, and took the launch back to our room.

I managed a load of laundry at the Villa, then we all went straight to bed.