We had a very fun morning! We got on the buses at about 7:50 am. We got to the Magic Kingdom and we were able to get to the front of the line! Boy was that exciting! They also had hula hoops and loud music playing for the kids. They were able to run around for about 15 minutes before we had to stay in our spot.
The welcome show was very cute, what we could see of it. Being at the very front puts you at a disadvantage for seeing the welcome show, but that’s quite alright. We have a few rope drops at the Magic Kingdom this week and we won’t have to be at the very front every day.
We briskly walked down main street and got to the entrance to Liberty Square and actually saw them drop the rope. It was very ordered. We got to Dumbo and we were the second set of riders! But they were still testing Dumbo when we arrived so it was almost 9:15 am by the time we got off. I actually wasn’t scared this time because I reminded myself that in 55 years, no one has fallen off Dumbo.
After Dumbo, we high tailed it to Peter Pan. Waited for about 2 minutes and got in a boat. It was as beautiful and fun as we remembered! We grabbed a Fastpass after we road and got bonus fastpasses to Mickey’s Philarmagic. (This is the only ride the bonus fastpasses are for.)
Next we went to ride Pooh. We had to wait about 2 minutes again. We also stopped to pop some bubbles on our way.
Then it was off to ride the Tea Cups. Alice rides them daily at about 9:30 and we got to ride with her! Not in the same tea cup, but she was on the ride! (She picked 2 little girls to ride with her.)
Then it was off to meet her and the White Rabbit. We had only 3 people in front of us! The kids waited patiently. I was so proud of them.
Then we wanted to go meet the stepsisters, but apparently both her and the Fairy Godmother take a break at about 9:45 am. (Note: Always find a cast member and ask them what the character’s rotations are.)
So we headed over to the Carousel and ran into a Character Handler (these CMs wear yellow shirts). She told us about all the meet and greets in the area. Mary Poppins and Bert were greeting at the carousel, but we didn’t stop to see them. We then hopped on the carousel and road it. It was fun! My husband even got on a horse. I did not.
By now it was 10 am and we knew that Peter Pan and Wendy were coming out, so we asked a Cast Member where they greeted and we waited in the spot. Peter Pan sneaked up and goosed Jacob. It was so funny! Emily barely talked to them even though Wendy is her favorite. She can just be so shy!
Then it was off to say hello to the Fairy Godmother. Jacob gave her a great big hug even though he has no idea who she is…. He just loves hugging the characters!
We swung by Pooh to get a fastpass and then had a snack from the Enchanted Grove. We found nice, shaded tables and had frozen lemonade and chocolate chip muffins.
Then we decided to go to the Haunted Mansion since it’s wait was only 10 minutes according to the Lines App. It turned out to be more like 3 minutes. It was great! It was our first time riding it and it scared Emily. Bless her heart. I’m not sure if we will ride it on this trip again or not.
Then we decided to go ride Pirates since we hadn’t ridden it yet either and it also had a wait time of 10 minutes. We got there and saw Pirate Goofy greeting, so we waited for about 5 minutes and saw him. He is so cute!
Then it was off to ride Pirates. Always take the left on the ride. It’s a lot shorter then the right. (Of course I knew this ahead of time. Woo hoo!) The kids both really liked it. I hope we get to do that one again.
Then we headed back to Fantasyland and we rode Peter Pan and Pooh with our fastpasses. You should of seen the dirty looks we got from people waiting in line! Those poor people. I want to grab them and educate them. But some people just don’t want to do their research ahead of time…. So what can you do?
(We were going to see Mickey’s Phillarmagic too, but we got there right as the CM closed the rope! Oh man. I guess we can’t have all the luck. We will catch it at some point.
We also caught the Main Street Trolley parade on our way out of the parks. You should of seen all the people coming in! I am soooooooo glad we hightailed it out of there when we did. We also stopped and the kids each got a balloon ($20!). Jacob held his in the stroller and the string snapped and I jumped and caught the string! Yay me!! We tied the anchors on it and it’s fine. I told the little booger to hold it by the weights but he wasn’t listening.
We left the park at 12:30. We got a lot accomplished this morning! Didn’t quite follow the plans though…. but that’s ok! As long as you know when the best time is to ride most of the rides, you can throw the plan out at any time. The key is to NOT stand in a line if you can help it.
Here’s the breakdown:
Dumbo – 5 min wait
Peter Pan – 2 min wait
Pooh – 2 min wait
Mad Tea Party – 2 min wait
Alice and the White Rabbit – 4 min wait
Carousel – 2 min wait
Peter Pan and Wendy – 5 min wait (note we were not in a line here. Just waiting at the spot they greet at)
Fairy Godmother – 5 min wait
Snack – 20 minutes
Haunted Mansion – 3 minutes
Pirate Goofy – 5 minute wait
Pirates – 3 min wait
Peter Pan with Fastpass – 3 min wait
Pooh with Fastpass – 3 min wait
So a grand total of 13 attractions and 45 minutes worth of waiting. Not bad if I do say so myself. It was CROWDED after about an hour.
LOL.. happy to read that all your time on the wii really paid off on your jumping skills and the balloon was saved :)
I see another blog in your future.. wii to save a $20 balloon :) LOL
Keep posting :) .. I was on the bus next to you reading your site… JK
I love the tea cups ride. Thes kids are having a blast!!! Cute photo. I amazed on your morning schedule.I can’t wait what tommorrow brings.
Awesome job! I LOVE the opening ceremony at MK…it makes me cry. So we always stand near one of the planters to the side. A good view but still close enough to the ropes to be at Dumbo for an early ride. Your morning sounds almost identical to one we had in December. Enjoy!
Kristin,
What a fabulous morning! When I worked there, I worked at Tinkerbell’s Treasures in Fantasyland. So hearing your morning adventures brings back fond memories. Enjoy your day tomorrow!!!
I just love the picture in the teacups.
Mickey’s Philharmagic is one of my all time favorites! We never have a long wait for it, since they can fit so many people into the auditorium. Keep the updates coming! These are so much fun to read!
It looks like you’re having SO much fun! We’ll be there in 2 months and your posts are just making me more excited for our trip. Can’t wait to hear more about your adventures! Thanks for sharing!
Mickey’s Philharmagic is one of our “must sees”. I hope you get there later in the week!
That is an impressive morning!! Planning always pays off, doesn’t it?
wow…you were bookin’it! WTG in getting on that many attractions in such a short time frame. Always loved the Peter Pan ride but the lines are always so long, so love the idea of the “fast pass”…that ROCKS!
Gald you are havin’ fun!
reading your posts – makes me want to get an i-phone before we go in July so I can keep track of our trip too.
1. LOVE the new site design…LOVE.
2. I cannot believe you love us so much you are still posting while at Disney….It’s DISNEY!!!!
3. I soooo have to read all your posts on doing Disney. Took a trip in ’06. We have a 9 month old, and will go back before she gets old enough to be charged for a ticket! I am WAYYYY impressed with your knowledge and preparation!!
sounds like you all are having an amazing time
Sounds like you’re having SO much fun! I DO hope you make it back to Philharmagic- it was one of the most memorable things for my four-year-old. She LOVED the 3-D stuff (Muppets at Hollywood Studios, too) and she still talks about Donald’s flying (& crashing) at the end. Keep sharing- we are all living vicariously through you!!!
ThaTs awesome!! Great job! I will have a plan for next time that’s for sure!!!!
Wow! I can’t believe how much you accomplished in the morning alone!
I thought I was organized!
How do you find out what time Alice rides the teacups? Asking a CM or is it on a schedule?
Nice going Kristen! I am very impressed with your timing. I too know all about the dirty looks you get from others when you get to go ahead in the lines. I have a son with autism and needs a little extra assistance most of the time, so we are able to get a special needs pass for the family. But it isn’t obvious right off why we get to go ahead of the line and people tend to get a little impatient. It almost feels like I need to carry a sign around that says “Autism” on it. Having the pass was a lifesaver though. I don’t think we could have had even a remotely enjoyable experience without it. I am sure there are many others out there that are so greatful for this service too. I just hope people don’t abuse it.
I love all of these updates. How many autographs have the kids collected so far? I know you mentioned 4 books – think that they’ll get over 100 each? My kids are afraid of most of the characters. I’m hoping this year goes a little better. Thanks for the updates!
Back in the 70’s I remember being at Disneyland and going on the Jungle ride. As everyone was boarding the boat the CM was welcoming everyone and jokingly said “The last one on the boat is a Hippo.” Well my Mom was the last one on the boat and I was sooooo mad at him for calling my Mom a Hippo I did not enjoy the ride at all. I could not understand why he was saying my Mom is fat. LOL
I am so excited for you. We went last September, but it was two weeks after my mom passed away. Don’t get me wrong we had a good time, but I didn’t feel prepared and honestly I have a hard time remembering a lot of it. I can’t it out of my system, but I just feel that my family needs a “do over!” Hoping maybe next year. Doing Weight Watchers, and I have a deal with my husband that when I hit my Lifetime we are going back. He is anxious to go as well. If that’s not motivation, I don’t know what is!! We bought a balloon to and my son and I released it to send to my mom in heaven. I told her that we were going to do this before two days before she passed. It was a nice moment, but everyone around us were so concerned and kept saying, “mam, do you know you just lost your balloon?” So I had to explain to everyone why we let it go.
You sure are getting your monies worth already. Love the pic of your kids in the T-cups. Looking forward to your adventures at Epcot, still not quite sure what its all about.
Keep the updates coming! I love it! My daughter even asked me, what are those people on the computer doing now? LOL If you are there early again, I read a “secret” of Disney World. I don’t know if it is true. I read that if you go into Tinkerbell Treasures, you may be able to wake up Tinkerbell for the day! The first person to go in and ask to wake her up, gets to do it with a magic wand! Try it out and see if this is true!! My daughter would love this!
Love your new blog design. Had’t been able to spend time on the computer lately. I am going to start my own couponing account next month to save for a big vacation hopefully next year. FYI when your kids are ready for seaworld or aquatica….buy the passes online from sesame place. the super grover. its a little expensive but sooo worth it. unlimied admission to sesame in pa, busch gardens in florida and virginia, seaworld in texas, florida and california, water country usa, and aquastica. free parking and 10 % off food and gifts
So Kristin, You were soooooooo close to Dole Whip:>
Only 45 minutes of waiting! You are my hero!
Wow! We haven’t been to WDW since 2001 but we waited in a lot of lines (one reason my DH doesn’t want to take DD anytime soon). I can’t believe you were able to do so much with so little waiting. I’m going to start taking notes now so I’ll be ready whenever we do get to go!
I grew up in central Florida and remember the days BEFORE Fastpasses. I went back two years ago and was able to use the Fastpass and it was wonderful! It made the whole visit so much more enjoyable as we weren’t spending our whole day standing in line!
Kristen is making me so excited about going to Disney. I can’t wait until my boys are old enough to go. I’ll have to start my own Disney fund.
Just Disney right now. My kids are still too young to even think about anywhere else. :)
They spit out with your fastpasses. We got them when we were getting Peter FPs and again when we got Pooh FPs.
HAHA numbers just stick with me. I worked as a cashier for 5 years in a grocery store where you had to hand key in all the prices at the register. On top of that, it’s on the wrong side of the tracks and people changed prices so I just memorized all the prices. If they came through my register, they got charged the correct price without me saying a word to them. hahaha.
We actually didn’t grab the fastpass to Pooh until the return time for our Peter Pan Fastpass had opened. Peter Pan’s return time was at 10:15 AM and we got Pooh at 10:20 am with a return time at 10:55 am. You can have more than one fastpass at a time, though. You don’t have to use the one you have to get another.
Great pictures!
Your morning sounds WONDERFUL! We do the same thing—arrive early and go from ride to ride wtithout a significant wait. I am always amazed at the large crowds entering the park around lunchtime. Oh well, I guess the lines would be longer for us if EVERYONE did like we do. LOL.
Where are your headed next after your break?
Can’t wait to hear more.
Glenda
I will upload all the photos to flickr when I get home. :)
Wow! I can’t believe how much you got done in a little amount of time! What’s left for the rest of your trip (haha). If you get a chance while your there and want to do something nonDisney, the water park Aquatica is really nice (especially for kids). You can get a SeaWorld and Aquatica ticket pretty reasonable. Have fun!
YOU GUYS ROCK!! I had planned to clean the house today, but instead I’ve been glued to the computer tracking your posts.. hehehe I’m so happy for you guys!! (and a tad jealous, I must say!) Makes me want to pack everyone up and head to Orlando – was thinking Downtown Disney, but it’s sooo hot outside right now. Think we’ll hold off until next weekend when Sea World starts their “After Dark” hours. Are you guys hitting any other local attractions on vacation or just Disney World?
Thank you for letting us know you bought your kids the balloons! I buy them for my kids too even if they are $10 a piece! My parents never got me them growing up and they are the most exciting purchase on Main Street since they are everywhere! I’m glad you are frugal enough to save but smart enough to spend! Thanks!!! Can’t wait to read more of your fun!
What are the bonus fastpass you mentioned? You got a FP for Peter Pan and one for Mickey’s Philarmonic at the same time? Did they come as a bonus at Peter Pan or did you have to get them at Mickey’s? I have never heard of them.
I am really enjoying reading your up-to-date reports live from Disney World!! Can’t wait to get back there with my kiddos. I thought we knew a lot of ins and outs, but I am still learning things through reading your posts. Very helpful!! Thanks so much for including us in your journey!
WOW! You did good…Love the pics.
I am tired just reading your blog, or maybe because I got up at 7 AM. That is a bunch of rides and sounds like you got in and out before the masses arrived.
I would much rather be there than sitting at my desk. But I have to say, reading about your trip is a great deal of fun also.
– Steve Pixie Vacations
I think the most amazing part of this all is how well you are keeping track of all of this stuff! Lol. Teach me Yoda!
Sounds like you had an awesome morning! I wish I was there right now, but instead I am sitting at home with my kiddos. Maybe one day we will make it to Disney with our little ones (ages 4 and 15 months). I will definately have to do tons of research like you have done so we can have some great fun and ride tons of rides. Keep posting pics. I love looking at the HUGE smiles your kids have on their faces when they are meeting characters or riding rides. Looks like they are have a great time.
I am so impressed!!! You are doing awesome with the ride wait times. Think of the business you might get if you could hand out business cards telling people YOU TOO COULD DO IT THIS WAY AND I CAN SHOW YOU HOW! LOL!!
I just laughed so hard out loud! I have had a balloon almost get away from me too! I can just imagine your jump to save it as I remember feeling like I was jumping for my life! LOL – thanks for the updates – it is so awesome to get this perspective – it will really help us…
OMG! That is AMAZING! I hope our trip runs just as smooth as far as being able to ride without waiting. How were u able to get 2 fastpasses @ the same time. I thought it was locked @ 1 & you could not get your second one until the time frame for the 1st one had come around. Dude (Something my son now says alot that I’ve picked up on), you are awesome.
What a fun morning! We have never gotten to MK early enough to see the “Welcome Show”, but sounds like fun.
are you posting photo’s anyplace like flickr? I cant wait to see more photo’s of your trip!