Low Expectations = Magical Moments

Yesterday I let Cavett sleep in. We were headed to Epcot, so it wasn't necessary to get a huge jump on the day. He slept until 10:30. We arrived at Epcot by 11 and Dad joined us around 1 at the Mexican World Showcase for lunch. After lunch we were able to do all the rides in Epcot that Cavett could ride--Figment's Imagination, Ellen's Universe of Energy, Spaceship Earth, The Land, Nemo, Talkin' Turtle with Crush, Mexico's ride and Norway's ride/film.

If you haven't read the updates to "My Disney Thoughts," I was a bit disappointed in Epcot. My first trip to Disney World was November of 1988 and Epcot was my favorite. I really thought it was cool and of course I loved the countries because I love to travel. What was unexpected this time was that not much had been updated. I thought Epcot was supposed to be on the cutting edge of the future. But I guess that the 1982 "future" has come to pass and they don't know where to head next. Innoventions was closed, the Energy ride/film was the same, Norway's film was exactly the same, the Land hasn't changed, Figment was the same. They had updated Spaceship Earth somehow, but it seemed to be the same to me. Hopefully, Epcot will get an overhaul soon.

The magical part of the day was that while we were eating dinner at the Rose and Crown in England, a cast member named Heather came to our table and told Cavett that Mickey Mouse got held up on the Monorail and wouldn't make it in time to start the fireworks. Mickey had asked them if there was a little boy eating macaroni and cheese that could do it for him. She gave him a wand with a rainbow of colors and they sprinkled pixie dust on it. When the appropriate time came, Cavett "blew" out all the torches that were lit around the lagoon and used the wand to make the fireworks start. It was just fantastic and he loved every minute of it. He made sure that there were blue and green fireworks too, since those are his favorite colors.

I thought that would be the end of the "magic," but it had only just begun! As we were repeating all our favorite rides at Magic Kingdom this morning, we met Alice and the Mad Hatter. As we were talking to her, she asked Cavett if he would like to ride the Tea Cups with her!!!!! We met her back at the appropriate time and he told her, "I'm gonna make you dizzy!" Cavett chose a green tea cup and off they went. When they got off the ride, they both acted like they were very dizzy.

So, I guess it's the little extra things that Disney does that makes the "magic." It's the smiles, the cordial words, the extra time they take to try to make every thing right if a ticket doesn't work or you can't get back to a ride during your FastPass. It may not be that you get to ride in a parade or that you get to spend the night in the castle, but all cast members try to make you feel special in some tiny way or another. We just got extremely lucky that something bigger happened two times.

Packing It All In

Today we really packed it all in and I feel that we have really "done" Magic Kingdom. If we went home right now, I'd be fine with it. Here's how the day went...

1. Jungle Cruise- still cheesy


2. Aladdin's Magic Carpet- just like Dumbo


3. Pirates of the Carribbean- little scary with skeletons, but not bad


4. Swiss Family Robinson- kept asking where the family was (loves that movie now!)


5. Country Bear Jamboree- terrible and Cavett wasn't that interested, but we got to cool off
   
6. Train Ride to Toon Town




7. Several character greetings- Robin Hood, Friar Tuck, Jimney Cricket, Max, Racoon from Poccahontas, Mr. Smee, Aristocats, Dopey




8. Goofy's Barnstormer Roller Coaster- 30 second ride, rode 2X because line was so short
   
9. Speedway


10. Tea Cups


11. Winnie the Pooh


12. 3D Philharmagic


13. Snow White


14. Ate lunch at Pinnochio's Pizza


15. Peter Pan- my favorite ride in Fantasy Land


16. It's a Small World- 272 little dolls singing


17. Ice Cream


18. 3:00 Parade


19. Nap
    
20. Dad joined us back at aTommorow Land for Buzz Lightyear for the 3rd and 4th trip


21. I went to Stich's Escape- Walt would definitely NOT approve. Sensory experience (smells, sprays, etc.) and I felt VERY violated. I thought it was a ride. Do not go to this...EVER.


22. Astro Orbiter- like Dumbo, but fast and higher


23. Monorail to Contemporary


24. Dinner at Chef Mickey's with Micky, Minnie, Pluto, Donald and Goofy at 9:15
    
    Funniest part of the day was at dinner. Cavett finally got some good vegetables. We kept getting him to eat them by telling him that as soon as he ate a bite, a character would come over. He put some broccoli in his mouth just as Donald came over. But, Cavett wouldn't hug him or say hi until his mouth was empty. Donald had some funny moves waiting on Cavett, but hey, at least we are polite.

I highly recommend having a character meal that is toward closing. We were one of the last ones out of the restaurant, so we got lots of attention and it wasn't as crazy.

Magic Kingdom with un pieu francais

Today was mainly spent at the Magic Kingdom. We got to the park in time to be toward the front of the gates when they opened at 9. It was a "Dumbo or Die" morning. We headed straight there and rode it 2X without any waits. In fact we accomplished ALL of Fantasy Land by 11:30 a.m. without any waits and we rode the Tea Cups (one of Cavett's favorites) 2x's as well. My favorite was Mickey's Philharmagic--another 3D movie, but much more kid friendly. Cavett also loved seeing Tigger and Pooh.


Next we headed toward Tommorow Land for an early lunch at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe and then on to Buzz Lightyear (Stephen's favorite). It was like an arcade game turned ride and you compete against the person you are riding with. Stephen won both times we rode. Lines were starting to build, but with the FastPass option, we avoided it, except for a 20 minute wait for the Laugh Floor of Monster's Inc. (Also rode Tomorrowland Transit Authority and Carousel of Progress).


We left the park to take a nap just as the rain began. Unfortunately, we were awoken though by renovations going on above us. So, we decided to go ahead and get up and go to Epcot via the boat. We had no reservations, but found an open table at Les Chef de Francais in France. Again, we split the meal and it was plenty of food and very tasty. Later, we headed toward the front of the park to Spaceship Earth. We rode SE and then took the monorail to the Magic Kingdom.





Cavett was able to ride in the nose of the monorail for both of the legs of the trip. It was the highlight of his day!



Once in the Magic Kingdom, we got some dessert and waited, and waited and waited for the parade and fireworks. Yes, they were spectacular, but it's just a lot of people in a little space waiting, and waiting. Did I mention we waited? :) Cavett still had fun blowing bubbles and made freinds with Roberto and Allie on either side of us. I don't think we will do the nightly parade/fireworks at MK again this trip, but I am glad we did it tonight. Tomorrow Dad will not be with us as we travel to Hollywood Studios. His meetings begin, but will have a few hours with us later in the week.