Day 3 – evening
We decided to spend the evening at the Magic Kingdom so we could see the Spectromagic Parade. We got to the Magic Kingdom around 5 pm just in time to see the Dream Comes True show. But during the show it started thundering, so they canceled it. We ducked into Cosmic Rays for an early dinner. It was packed! We hung out until around 6 pm. My husband had grabbed us a Fastpass as soon as we had entered the park, so we headed towards Tomorrowland so we could ride Buzz Lightyear. Well it wasn’t quite time to ride it, so we hopped on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. We ended up staying on it for 3 trips! The kids loved it!
After the kids FINALLY had their fill, we went to ride Buzz with our Fastpasses. Emily and I were more interested in spinning the car around then trying to get the highest score. We had a blast!
Then we began to slowly make our way towards Liberty Square so we could see the Spectromagic Parade. We took our time browsing in the shops and I picked us up some funnel cakes from Sleepy Hollow. We picked some seats on the ground in a GREAT spot and enjoyed chatting with our neighbors. The Cast Members also brought out some hula hoops for the kids to play with.
We spent an hour waiting for the show, but the time flew by and the kids were so good! When the show finally started, it was so worth the wait. We had the best time!
By now it was 9:40 pm, so we dashed to Fantasyland to ride Pooh and Snow White before Wishes. Then we made it just in time to see Tinker Bell fly before the fireworks started. The show was great! The kids really enjoyed it.
The crowds and the wait for the buses after Wishes was NOT great. It took us 1 hour 20 minutes to get out of the park and back to our resort after the show! So in my opinion, it is BEST to be at the end of Main Street for the Fireworks, even if you have to wait an hour for your spot.
Recap:
Magic Kingdom from 5:10 – 11:30:
Dinner at Cosmic Rays – 5:15 – 6:00
People Transit Authority 3xs – No wait. 6:10 – 6:50
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin – used Fastpass. 5 minute wait
Browsed shops until 8:00 pm
Selected seat to wait on Spectro Magic and snacked – 8:00 pm – 9:40 pm
Pooh with Fastpass – 1 minute wait
Snow White – no wait
Wishes – no wait
Transportation to resort by bus: 1 hour, 20 minutes (note: this was the time it took to get down main street and then another 30 minutes at the bus stop plus the 15 minute bus ride.)
Catch up:
You are having such a magical trip!!
Buzz Lightyear is one on my fav rides in MK. I have an 8 year old son so it’s great to watch him on that ride. Thanks so much for posting all of your pictures. We will be going next year so it’s great to see the magic of the parks thru your pics!!!
Just an idea……
When you want to get from one end of main street to the other start walking thru Casey’s Corner (by the LARGE T.V. screen) & all the shops connect to one another so you can dodge the main street traffic on the sidewalks!
Gotta LOVE DISNEY transportation!
We like to eat at Rays when we are there too!
I love the recaps, keep them coming:) I would love a list of insider tips to go by when you get home and settled. We are planning on taking our little girl two years from now when she is 5, but I don’t know if I can wait that long!!!!! Maybe I can talk daddy in to going next summer when she is 4. As an adult I have never been to Disney, so I’m thinking my excitement level is going to be right up there with my little girl.
Since we have been to Disney numerous times, we alway use the parades & shows as FASTPASS tickets to all rides. This is the best time to ride most rides without any wait time!!!
There are time we have sat on on the sidewalk for an hour ahead of time to watch the shows. My advice take a blanket into the park with you (something for you to sit on later). One parent sit with the kids and the other can get a snack for the family. We take crayons and coloring books to keep our kids busy while we wait on the show. Makes the time go by faster!!!!!
Wow! It sounds like you and your family are packing in alot of fun!!!
I love the time line you give, You get to do so much in so little time, with kids I think that is amazing. Thank you for taking us on your vacation.
We normally sit right at the castle for wishes, but with kids this time might sit a bit further back. I’ll have to keep that in mind.
I have never been on the Transot Athority. Everytrip I say we are going to take a time out and go on it but we never have in all our trips. Maybe I should next time :) I LOVE, ADORE, and WORSHIP wishes and spectro but agree that getting out of the park is a nightmare! We usually hang around in our spot for a bit and look at the pics from the day while the crowds thin out some and when it is bareable make our way towards the shops and browse whle more people leave and then exit the park so we are not waiting in that bus line all night. I would rather be waiting in MK then in the bus line LOL
Sounds like a nice evening. I don’t think there is any easy way to exit MK at the end of the night.
Sounds like a lot of fun! I find that Cosmic Ray’s is almost always busy and packed. Wish I knew why. The last time we were in there, it was so packed we had to eat standing up along a window because there was absolutely no where to sit. We were lucky to have a place to stand and hope no one stepped on our food.
Sounds like a full day!
My son LOVED the people mover ride (Transit Authority).. we ask for a front cart and he would sit on his knees and as soon as it took off – he acted as if he was driving it… It is a great ride to catch a few zzzz on but still keep the kids entertained :)
Still impressed with how much you are getting done
Sounds like you are having a blast. What a great Christmas card picture!!!
Sounds like you are all having a great time. I can’t wait until September!
Spectromagic is so fun! I love that parade. And Wishes is fantastic :)
Sounds like a very fun evening!! Thanks for keeping us updated!!
Our family loves Spectro and Wishes!!! We always sit in front of the castle to watch the parade and then move a little ways down mainstreet to watch Wishes, but we had never thought of trying to ride a ride in between the two! That’s a great idea! Thanks! You are right…the bus wait and trying to get out of the parks afterwards takes forever!!!! That is by far the worst!
Sound like a great ending to a great day!
We love Magic Kingdom!
Where does spectro magic start? And does it go just one time at night? If you can believe it, my husband never wants to watch the parades…he usually wants to ride the rides while parades and fireworks are going on. I am determined to make him watch this time!
We sat on the crub outside of the shop closes to Casey’s. After Wishes we used the shops to exit. We was close to the gate at jumped on the boat to FW campground.
sounds like you had a blast!!!
I am really enjoying a vacation at Disney through your website this year. Thanks for all the updates. Enjoy!
What a fabulous day!!
Sounds fabulous! I know everyone has been telling you this, but thank you so much for posting while you’re there!
glad you got to see the second spectromagic parade and Wishes!