Views: 235
It’s Magic Kingdom day!
If you’ve ever thought about zipping in and out of Magic Kingdom, think again. There is no going home in the middle of the day for a nap, not unless you plan to lose half your day.
We start our hike to the transportation center, listening to an upbeat cast member tell us how the entirety of Disneyland can fit in just the Magic Kingdom parking lot. We entertain the notion of taking the ferry to the entrance until we see the crowd waiting. More cast members encourage everyone toward the monorail, promising it’s faster than the ferry even though the line is much longer. We reluctantly succumb to yet more demands to ‘fill up all available space’, a phrase that still haunts me. But once we’re on the monorail, it’s spacious enough to enjoy the distant view of Cinderella‘s castle growing closer as we approach the park entrance.
Fall has always been my favorite season. Whether it be the colors, the pumpkins, or my birthday, fall is hands-down the best time of year. So I am stoked to see Main Street decked out in fall decor. And the view does not disappoint.
After an evaluation of wait times and weighing our options with the Fast Passes we have booked for later (Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and Peter Pan), we head to Tomorrowland to accomplish Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (about a 45-minute wait) and the Tomorrowland Speedway (about a 20-minute wait after a bump into a newly formed line and accidentally cutting a huge group not paying attention. This is Disney people, we take no prisoners!). After a round of Mickey treats to keep the clients happy, we hit It’s a Small World (about a 40-minute wait), during which I discover the magic of MOBILE FOOD AND BEVERAGE ORDERING.
By the time we’re on the ride, I not only have a nearby place picked out for lunch (Liberty Tree Tavern), but I have our lunches FREAKIN ORDERED. All we have to do is press the ‘I’m Here, Prepare my Order’ button, then hold our hands out at the window. This is one of the most amazing features of the My Disney Experience app. No line, no fuss, just show up.
Afterward, we FINALLY hit up our first Fas tPass (12:40 Splash Mountain). Once we’ve exited, we wander a bit as we evaluate what looks like the makings of the parade path through Adventureland. What happened next was probably the best happy-accident of the entire trip. I comment on the SHADED open area on the other side, just behind the rope, and we make a bee-line for it. A young couple looks slightly dejected as my two young children settle onto the concrete just behind the rope, but what adult (with no kids) is going to yell at kids about cutting in front of them at the Magic Kingdom? Once again, we take no prisoners. From this spot, we catch a fantastic view of the Festival of Fantasy Parade. And the fact that we’re on the shaded side was a godsend in that Florida sun. The other side… not so lucky
Afterward, we make our way to our next Fast Pass (2:20 Space Mountain). This was an interesting experience considering our 5yo was well within the height minimum, but as we’re about the board the cast member looks at both of my kids and proceeds to ask if they’re both at least 7. What would you do? Of course, I smiled and said yes, and both kids boarded the single file bullet-style coaster car ahead of me. I’m super nervous by this point that I’ve signed my son up for brain or psychological damage. An age minimum? But why? This worry, of course, kept me from really enjoying the ride and continuing to ask said 5yo if he’s okay the entire time, but I made sure I yelled along with the kids at every turn through the dimly lit track twisting up and down within itself from every which direction, just to make sure they knew it was fine to enjoy the thrill! My 8yo proceeded to leave her hat, and then we had to go back to the beginning of the line through the back entrance to retrieve it, all while making sure the kids understand that it wasn’t ride it again. Which they were ready to do because they loved it!
We hit up what short line we could find (Prince Charming Regal Carosaul) before our 3:45 “dinner” at the Crystal Palace. I have to confess: this is my first experience drinking wine in Magic Kingdom. The kids, of course, loved the Winnie the Pooh characters and the ice cream, and my husband and I, of course, loved the all-you-can-eat bar of carbs we’ve now fully embraced. Exiting into the sun with the castle in view and the Mickeys staring down at me—judging me—was quite an experience.
We have time for another short line (Mickey’s Philharmagic) before my proudest Fast Pass: Peter Pan’s Flight. I’m well aware by this Disney trip that there’s no way we’re doing this ride unless we have a Fast Pass due to the outrageous yet consistent wait time. Luckily, I planned ahead! We’re now able to grab another Fast Pass—Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid. 
Once we’re out, we’re thinking it might be time to look for a seat for the 9 PM show. It’s 7:30 PM by this point. So we get the kids light up bubblers and park it. 1.5 hours later, we watch a FANTASTIC Happily Ever After projector light show that makes Cinderella’s castle look positively ANIMATED, accented with fireworks. The wait to have a seat so close we can see all of the animations from top to bottom and end to end was well worth it.
Once it’s over, we observe the mass exodus and elect to hang out a bit. We then hear an announcement for the 9:45 Once Upon a Time light show. What the heck, we might as well wait out the crowd. So we stay and watch. It’s good, not as amazing as the first show, but still beyond impressive.
By 10 PM, we join the throngs of people corralling down Main Street, and it is UN-comfortable. As is the 20-person wide line waiting for the monorail. Let’s just say, but the end of it I had been carrying a sleeping 5yo for much longer than I’d like to admit—though I can’t deny I didn’t soak up the snuggles—and we didn’t have them in bed until 11:30 PM.
I think we more than earned a lazy morning the next day!
Related Posts
