We decided to redeem our Give A Day tickets for the Fastpass option on Wednesday. This enabled us to get 3 instant Fastpasses per person for the popular rides that use Fastpass and 3 for the less popular rides that use fastpass. We got to the Ticket and Transportation Center around 7:45 to make sure we had plenty of time to do this. We then took the monorail to the Magic Kingdom. We got there and lined up in the middle to be sure to see the welcome show. We didn’t need to rush back to any ride, so we werent in a huge hurry.
The first focus of the day was Peter Pan (Emily’s favorite ride.) We rode it twice and actually noticed a few new things! Then it was off to ride Pooh once before I lined up at Toontown at 9:30. Jason took both the kids on the Mad Tea Cups before meeting me. We had a great chat with a Cast Member who was from the Birmingham area. She retired and moved to Orlando so she and her husband could work for Disney! That’s my dream!!
We patiently walked back to meet the Fairies. We were first in line!! We met Fawn, Tinker Bell and Terrance. They were so funny! They were carrying on about how many acorns they could fit in their mouths. I got the whole thing on tape and will definitely be sharing it later this month!
After the Fairies we had to wait on Jason and Jacob. They were second in line to meet Mickey! (If you are first in line, Mickey will give you a tour of his house!) Jason talked me into riding the Barnstormer with Emily. I had ridden it the last trip and it scared me. But since I already conquered my fear of Dumbo and Aladdin, I decided it was definitely worth a try. And I’ll be darned if I didn’t love it. We rode it 4 times in a row! (1 minute waits each time!)
Then we hopped a train to Frontierland and Jason convinced me to give Splash Mountain a try. We decided to just go through the Standby line since it was only 10 minutes. It actually took 7! The ride was alright…. I didn’t love it and I am not eager to ride it again. Jacob HATED it. He got soaked and says he doesn’t want to ride it. We did spring for our ride photo though because it was really cute and it was mine and Jacob’s first time. He also talked us out of a small train and we let him because we felt bad that he was so upset.
I sent Jason to get a Fastpass for Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain (he used 2 tickets at each ride) and the kids and I made our way to Pacos Bills for an early lunch. The meal was really good although I wish they had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches there because the kids aren’t big hamburger eaters.
We then decided to go to Tom Sawyers Island for a while. We meant to just stay for about 30 minutes but ended up being on it for over an hour! But the kids had a blast exploring it. And yes we asked if they had any paintbrushes on the island and they said about 6 were hidden and we didn’t find a single one. :(
After the island, I took Jacob to play on the small playground located under Splash Mountain while Emily and Jason went to ride both the mountains. He is going through a phase where he believes everything other kids tell him and there were a few bullies on the playground that kept telling him it wasn’t his turn. So he got really upset and it wasn’t the best experience. Finally our window to get a Fastpass opened and we headed over to Fantasyland to get a Fastpass to Peter Pan. We then secured us a spot for the 3 oclock parade. It was soooooooooooooooo hot.
Jason and Emily met us just in time to see the parade. Jacob spilt his popcorn and first Chip tried to come over and eat it. Then the step sisters tried to get it and the Step Mother came over and stomped on it. Jacob was like “what on earth are these crazy women doing??” The parade was so cute and it was worth the terrible heat. Ugh I wish they would make it just a little later in the day.
After the parade, Emily and Jacob went to ride Splash and Big Thunder again while Jacob and I met Woody and Jesse. They were hilarious!! We had to wait on them to get back after the parade and first Woody went over to get himself some ice cream and Jesse had to drag him back to the line. Then they both got autograph books and marched off from one another like they were dueling and they raced to see how fast they could autograph! It was so funny. When it was Jacob’s turn, all he wanted to do was hug them. We got some really cute photographs.
Then our day went down hill….. I took him back to the playground and he spent the whole time whining and crying because there were a few mean kids on the playground. When Emily got done with the ride, she started whining too! UGH!
We took them on Aladdin and they enjoyed that and then we rode Pirates. I really wished we could leave at this point, but we hadn’t used any of our Give A Day Fastpasses and they were only good on that day. So we took the kids to eat at the Pinocchio Village Haus again. It was a nice meal, but then my husband start having a melt down! I had to keep the family from falling apart. Ugh. I do not recommend staying all day in the heat. This was our first and only day of the whole trip to do it. It just isn’t worth it!
After we ate, we went to ride Peter Pan 3 times. Twice with regular Fastpasses and once with the Give A Day Fastpass. It was funny to see the looks on the faces of people in the stand by line who saw us ride it over and over again.
Then it was off to ride Pooh twice and then Jacob begged for Goofy’s Barnstormer. So we rode it 3 times! Then we stopped by Buzz for 2 rides before we left the park for the day.
We accomplished a good bit that day, but the heat and our kid’s attitudes made it one of our least favorite days in the parks.
Recap:
Magic Kingdom: 8:30 – 8:30
Peter Pan – 1 minute wait
Peter Pan – 3 minute wait
Pooh – 3 minute wait
Mad Tea Cups – 1 minute wait
Rope drop at Toontown – arrived at 9:30 / 15 minute wait
Fairies (Kristin and Emily) – first in line! 3 minute wait
Mickey Mouse (Jason and Jacob) – second in line! 5 minute wait (while Mickey showed off his house)
Barnstormer – 1 minute wait
Barnstormer – 1 minute wait
Barnstormer – 1 minute wait
Barnstormer – 1 minute wait
Train to Adventureland – 7 minute wait
Toured Mickey’s house (Jason and the kids) – no wait
Splash Mountain – 8 minute wait
Lunch at Pacos Bills – took 45 minutes
Tom Sawyer Island – took 1.5 hours
Big Thunder Mountain (Jason and Emily)- 3 minute wait (used Fastpass)
Splash Mountain (Jason and Emily) – 5 minute wait (used Fastpass)
Parade – took 40 minutes
Big Thunder Mountain (Jason and Emily)- 3 minute wait (used Fastpass)
Splash Mountain (Jason and Emily) – 5 minute wait (used Fastpass)
Woody and Jesse (Kristin and Jacob) – 10 minute wait
Dinner at Pinocchio Village Haus – took 30 minutes
Peter Pan – 3 minutes (used Fastpass)
Peter Pan – 3 minutes (used Fastpass)
Peter Pan – 3 minutes (used Give A Day Fastpass)
Pooh – 3 minutes (used Give A Day Fastpass)
Pooh – 3 minutes (used Give A Day Fastpass)
Barnstormer – 4 minutes
Barnstormer – 4 minutes
Barnstormer – 4 minutes
Buzz Lightyear – 2 minutes (used Give A Day Fastpass)
Buzz Lightyear – 2 minutes (used Give A Day Fastpass)
Catch up:
Day 1 evening and Day 2 morning recap
Cindy Hubbard says
We stayed all day in the heat last week at MK and we had to take lots of breaks, like Ice Cream, indoor shows for AC and so on. That made it alot more bearable.
Sarina Jackson says
Cant wait to redeem our Give a day tickets!
Christina says
It’s hard NOT to have a meltdown in the heat. At least you didn’t have to wait in really long lines. That just makes it worse. I hope the rest of your days are better!
Laney says
Wow! You guys were busy!
Judy says
Thank you for the recap. It helps me remember that when we are there in July we need to take a break each day. Sorry you had to experience the whining and attitudes though.
Elisha C says
The last time I was at Disney, they didn’t have the FastPass system like they do now. I think they might have been just starting it out, but only during certain hours of the day. I can’t wait to go back and learn the FastPass ropes!
Michelle C. says
This was the only way as kids that my family was able to visit disney, by spending all day in each park because we didn’t do hoppers and we only had a few days. It was fun, but yeah, now that I am older with kids of my own, I think taking a whole week and keeping a pace may be the best way to do it.
Ryann says
Hope today’s mood improves!
Clare C. says
Hey, can I chime in asking about the paintbrushes? We were on Tom Sawyer Island a couple of weekends ago and I didn’t know to look for those…
Hope your day goes better today!
Jeananne says
Well, the meltdowns were bound to happen, especially in the heat. What makes me so mad are the mean kids at the playground!!!! I seriously get so angry when that happens and usually the parents of the kids are right there and do nothing. I usually try and hint by telling my kids- ask them to share or ask them to play nice, etc. in a loud voice trying to get the attention of the parents. It usually doesn’t work so I end up saying something to the mean kids myself. I know a lot of parents are against that but if you don’t stand up for your kids, who will? Plus, if it were my child behaving like that without my knowledge, I would want someone to tell me or them!
Laura says
Joining late… sorry for the silly question, but what is this paintbrush you guys were looking for on the Tom Sawyer Island?
Sounds like you’re having a blast! Thanks for taking the time to post your re-cap!
Cindy says
My son rode Kali when he was 2 and a half and got soaked and didn’t want to ride it ever again. But this last time we let him wear a rain poncho and he finally decided to do it after seeing Daddy and Mommy’s Mommie have so much fun. Then he was upset that he didn’t get wet, so we rode it 2 more times without the poncho. Kids are so silly.
I hate that about the older kids at the playground. Makes you wonder where their parents are, because if my son had done that to yours (he is 1 year older), then I would have stopped him.
Brittany says
Meltdowns are the worst but you kept it together.
lindsey says
when we were at disney a few weeks ago it was so hot also. We were going to buy the disney fan and squirt bottle but it was almost $20!!! They make a killing on those so many people had those there! Holy cow!
christy says
I love your recaps too!
We went to Disney for my kids first time when my daughter was 2 and son was 10 mo. on Memorial Day weekend (8 yrs ago). We definitely learned our lesson as it was miserably hot and SUPER crowded and my husband does not do good with large crowds where people run into you alot etc. The heat adds to the crankiness for sure!
We live only an hour away so we try to go once a year for a day. We’ve been in early March and it was nice, slightly crowded. Mid Jan but it was a little too cold and kinda busy (MLK jr bday).
But the best trip by far was this past October (end of the month) for my daughter’s bday (when they had free day on your bday). It was just me and her and we got there at 9 and it was beautiful weather and absolutely no lines on any rides. In my whole life (I’ve been there countless times) I have never been on so many rides in one day or been able to just walk on a ride like we did.
She is 10 so she was raring to go and we didn’t have to stop hardly at all. We got to see so many characters and did everything we wanted by 6:00 and then left.
We have the free Give a Day passes for this year to use and I think we will definitely have to wait until Fall as it is just too hot here now and I think it would kinda spoil it knowing how the 2 boys are in the heat!
Stephanie says
Wow! You guys did a lot! Have fun!
Deann says
I’m so glad you reminded me about the Fastpass option for our Give-a-Day tickets. We’re going to try to go in September for free dining and might use that option!
Angel says
WOW!! Bless your heart! WAy to go on keeping things together!! I never even thought about taking a afternoon rest period for the kids before reading all your blogs..but now its def in the planning!! Esp for my 2 year old,she will get whiney quick!! Pray you hvae a wonderful day to day!! Thanks for all the recaps!@! Love them!!
HeidiR says
Wow, what a day. I hope we meet Woody & Jesse too.
Jen says
Wow – 12 hours in the park… LONG DAY! Hopefully today will be meltdown free!
Anna D says
I completely understand about the heat. My daughter is hot natured and shuts down if she gets hot at sweaty. It would be very hard to leave Disney every day so she can cool off, but well worth it in the end.
Michelle says
You know you have last the battle when your husband has a melt down. I am sure today will be better
SusanB says
Sorry you didn’t have the best day ~ the heat just makes everyone a little more cranky!
Leyla says
I love all of your posts but you are on vacation. You don’t have to post all of this info. Enjoy yourself, you deserve it.
Glenda says
Thanks for the recap. You accomplished a ton of things!
Meltdowns are bound to happen even at Disney! My sister and I still laugh about her meltdown when we all went together in 2004. She and her DH were wandering around Epcot and they got “snippy” with one another because they couldn’t decide where to eat.
Hope today is more restful and enjoyable.
Glenda
Chris says
I love to read your recaps!! We have never gone back in the afternoons for a rest (I’m a before opening to after closing person ) but we may have to start if DGS doesn’t take it as well as DD and DS did.
Melody S says
My Emilee had a few melt downs in the heat also. It make’s it hard sometimes.
Jamie says
We’re still trying to figure out what to do with our Give a Day passes…we’re going in October and we were considering using them for Fastpasses. But it looks like you used them just 5 times and, since October will be slow, you just helped me narrow down my choices – we’ll probably apply them to a longer non-exp. pass.
Have fun!
Laurie says
If it’s hot now, what will it be like in July? What were we thinking? LOL
Actually, its the only time could go due to the two different school vacation schedules by kids have and they wanted to go on vaca with us! They are 19 & 17! They are usually not around us! LOL Well, we will have to do alot of pool time.
Looks like you are having a magical vacation! Can’t wait to read more!
Tanya says
So that’s what you’re supposed to do with Zurg in jail. I tried to get my daughter to make a mean face at him like she’d just defeated him. It didn’t really turn out. Like the picture.
Jessica Jones says
It has to be hot there!!! I understand the melting down in the heat! (my husband would too!)…..ok maybe me too!!!
Peggy says
Wow, if you were hot yesterday, what will it be like when I’m there next month? Yipes!
Hope today is a cooler, happier, drama-free day at the parks. Glad you enjoyed Barnstormer–it’s such a fun ride. I love Goofy’s popcorn crop you pass as you’re waiting. =)
Happy Friday!
sara says
aww sounds like a rough day-I can imagine the kids were hot (and the hubby too) you sound like an extreamly patient person though-good for you!
paint brushes on the island? ive never heard of that before??? do you win something? thats cool that they have that? When we went to Disney for NOJ since I was a youth leader I got a fast pass arm band and my husband and I went on Toy story like a million times in a row and I remember the look on peoples faces like-im sure ive seen those people agian hahaha. I felt bad but not bad enough to stop going on it! not liek that chance comes more than once!!!
Billie Jo says
Awww…..you cant go to Disney without at least one child having a meltdown because of the heat and being tired! lol Sounds like you are still having lots of fun!
Lisa Gray says
Nothing worse than the rest having a bad and you trying to keep up everyones spirits. Good job though. What a full day you had yesterday. You must be exhausted today!! I hope today is better.