Disney Trip 2013 - DAY 4

Day 4 we made our way back to the Magic Kingdom

This was an early park admission day for guest staying at the DisneyWorld Resorts, so we entered the park early and had our breakfast on the Tomorrowland Terrace.  Dad had a breakfast croissant and Alice and I shared a plate of beignets. 

Alice really wanted to go to Thunder Mountain first, but only Fantasyland and Tomorrowland were open early, so we decided to try Tomorrowland first.  Since Alice seemed to like roller coasters, we pursuaded Alice to try Space Mountain.  BIG mistake!  Alice did NOT like Space Mountain.  She did not like having to sit by herself and she did not like the ride being totally in the dark.  So now Alice does not want to ride ANYTHING that is related to space! Suffice it to say - Alice was NOT screaming on this ride (see quote from DAY 3!)

We did go on the Buzz Lightyear ride and the Space Orbiter, but after that, we left Tomorrowland for good and headed back to Frontierland and Thunder Mountain! Alice had been talking about Thunder Mountain and the Haunted Mansion since the first day and was eager to get back to her favorites!

This day was also full of character autographs. We started the day with Alice and the White Rabbit and then met some of the Princesses again, and we finally got to meet Rapunzel!

Dinner was at the Polynesian Resort where Alice selected drinks from the bar for mom and dad based on color and accessories (a backscratcher for mom and a pink light up drink for dad). They had a few games for kids to play and everyone got a lei.

 

Since this was our last night at the Magic Kingdom, we made our way back to the park after dinner so we could ride our favorites again and watch the fireworks display within the park.

Alice quote

"When I'm not screaming I'm freaking out"

After 3rd time on everest ride

Disney Trip 2013 - DAY 3

Day 3 we were scheduled for Animal Kingdom

We started the day off at Tusker House for breakfast.  This was a character breakfast where we got to meet Donald, Goofy and FINALLY, we met Mickey!

 

 

After breakfast we went on the Kilimanjaro Safari where we saw many animals I can't even remember much less name, but we did see Rhino's, Crocodiles, Giraffes, Flamingos, a Lion and Ostriches.

Next we made our way to Expedition Everest, a Yeti themed roller coaster.  We rode this 3 times!  Alice said she liked most of it, but the big drop freaked her out a little. Her quote was "When I'm not screaming, I'm freaking out :-)" So this is how we gaged her fun meter for the rest of the trip.... If Alice wasn't 'screaming' she was a little scared - GOOD TO KNOW!

We spent a little time in Dinoland USA where Alice got to 'dig up' dinosaur bones, we also rode the DINOSAUR ride twice. On the Dinosaur ride we were to ride a vehicle back in time and try to bring back a live dinosaur with us. The first time we rode it, we got stuck on the ride for about 10 minutes.  The second time we didn't have the glitch, but Alice was disappointed both times because she though the dinosaur would be in the vehicle with us, although we did see 'video feed' of the dinsosaur roaming the facility ;-)

 

 

Alice by the Cinderella fountain

Breakfast with Mickey

Disney Trip 2013 - DAY 2

Day 2 we were scheduled to visit Epcot.

Some of our favorite things at Epcot were meeting Mulan, Jasmine AND Aladdin, Belle, Tigger and Pooh.

 

Alice loved the Test Track and Soarin ride, but not so much the Astronaut training at Mission Space. We ate brats in Germany for lunch and had dinner at the Aquarium and capped the evening off riding the Seas with Nemo and Friends, and Spaceship Earth.

 

 

Alice's favorite story to tell about Epcot was when she met Tigger. Tigger tried to keep her autograph book and kept hiding it from her. Alice found it twice and then had to 'forcibly' take it from Tigger, all the while the cast member's were telling Tigger he had several autograph books at home and he didn't need hers.

Disney Trip 2013 - DAY 1

Day one we visited the Magic Kingdom. We had reservations at the Bippity Boppity Boutique for Alice's transformation into a Princess, so until our reservation we made our way to the new Fantasyland to play a while. First we rode Prince Charming's Carousel, then we met Ariel at Ariels Grotto and got Alice's first autograph of the day. After that we rode the Journey of the Little Mermaid.  By then, it was time to head for Alice's princess appointment.

The Bippity Boppity Boutique is located within Cinderella's Castle. While Alice was getting her makeover, the Fairy Godmother was flitting around supervising the transformations. Alice got to met her Fairy Godmother and got her second autograph of the day.

After Alice was princess-ified, we took her official Princess Pictures, and then continued our tour of Fantasyland.  We rode the Mad Hatter Teacups, Dumbo, the Barnstormer, got 4 more autographs for Daisy, Minnie, Donald and Goofy. We then headed to ride the Peter Pan adventure and It's a small world.  By this time, it was getting close to our reservation at Cinderella's Royal Table at the Castle.

 

 

We were cordially invited to dine at Cinderella's Castle. We first had a photo and autograph session with the Princess Cinderella and then went up the grand staircase to be seated at the Royal Dining Hall.

Some of Cinderella's princess friends came to greet the diners.  One at a time, each was introduced and upon hearing who was coming, Alice began to clap and shout their name. I'm not sure how or why, but each princess came directly to our table to meet Princess Alice - FIRST.  First was Snow White, then came Aurora, then Ariel (as a human this time) and then Jasmine. Since Alice was dressed as Aurora, she got a special kiss from Aurora on the cheek. Each princess took the time to talk to Alice, and really made the day special.

 

 

 

 

 

After dinner, we found ourselves near The Haunted Mansion. I had told Alice that I especially remembered this ride from when I visited DisneyWorld as a kid. We rode it 2 times!  Then we started to try and find our way out of the park, but instead found ourselves at Thunder Mountain, so we decided to ride.  By this time, it was getting close to the fireworks, so many people were lined up to see the parade and fireworks.  Alice liked Thuder Mountain also, so we rode it twice before the fireworks started.  We made our way out of the park while the fireworks were going off. Larry carried Alice so she could watch the show.

Princess hug

Gaston's tavern

Ariel's Grotto

Disney Trip 2013 - First Plane Ride

We had told Alice that she had to be 5 years old before we would go to Disney. We wanted to make sure she was tall enough and old enough to enjoy all the rides and to be able to remember the trip. So, Alice turned 5 this month and for her birthday present, we went to DisneyWorld.

This was also Alice's first plane trip. We had American Airlines miles which were about to expire, so we splurged and got 1st class round trip tickets. Alice did so great on the plane.

 She entertained herself with her iPad, ate her breakfast on the plane like a world class traveler, and was very patient at our layover in Miami.

When we finally made it to Orlando, we boarded the Disney "Magical Express" bus which shuttled us to the Contemporary Hotel at Disney. Alice finally fell asleep on the bus. We had been up and traveling since 5 am!

We got settled in our room, went exploring, and even rode the monorail. We bought Alice a swimsuit (since mom forgot to pack it ;-) and took her swimming.

The last thing we did before bedtime was to watch the fireworks from our balcony looking out at Cinderella's castle.  It had been a long day but what a spectacular way to cap off the day!

City Dog and Country Frog

There is a sweet book we read called City Dog and Country Frog. The funny thing is as I read the book, Alice tries to read too, and copies every word I say. The funniest thing though..... She can't say the word country. She keeps saying City Dog and Crunchy Frog :-)

Alice's 2nd 5th birthday party

Alice was a little bummed that since her first birthday party was during the week and family would not be coming (ie. her cousins), she asked if we could have a party in Dallas with family. Since family members would have liked to come to the party too, we decide we could arrange this. We kept with the Powerpuff Girls theme for party #2.
The family party was attended by: Didi and Pop (at Didi's house), Gammy and Papa, Aunt Papa and Uncle Paul with Chris and Sean, Aunt Sissy with Joci and Juliette, Aunt Jen and Uncle Andy, Aunt Debbie and Jill, long time friend Allison with her SO Greg and their daughter Emerson...so it was a well attended party and Alice got to play with her cousins, and of course....got more presents which I think was the original goal of her request :-)

Alice's 1st 5th birthday

We had not planned on having a birthday party for Alice this year since we were taking her to Disney for her birthday. However, Alice really wanted to have a party with her school friends. I had received a free birthday party for 10 from a friend of mine who won it at work function so this year's party was at GattiTown.
We went back and forth on the theme for the party this year. iCarly.....Scooby Doo....and finally landed on PowerPuff Girls.
Alice had fun playing with her friends and introducing them to the Powerpuff Girls. Alice has said she wants her party next year at GattiTown, so I guess the party was a success!