This past weekend we headed down to Orlando to spend the weekend at the condo with my parents. It also worked out for Jonathan and I to go to the Magic Kingdom with Rosemary to celebrate her 6th birthday (thank you, Steve!).
We needed to be at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom by 8:30am. The park didn’t open until 9am so when we parked, we parked close enough that we didn’t even need a tram to get to the Transportation Center. We caught the first monorail of the day (with about only 20 other people) and rode over to the entrance.
So excited about the day!
We double checked about riding in the front of the monorail on the way over, but like we thought, it’s not allowed anymore. The last time we rode in the front Rosemary was 2, so she won’t remember it.
We were there early enough to see the opening show. In all the times I’ve been to Disney, I had never seen the opening show so that was very fun.
Once in, we basically made a beeline for Fantasyland. It’s also nice getting there early because then you can walk through the middle of the castle. I don’t know why, but I love doing that.
Since it was early, we managed to ride all of the Fantasyland rides except the tea cups in 40 minutes. It was amazing. By the time we were finishing up, lines had gone up to 20 minute waits. We rode Peter Pan, Snow White, Winnie-the-Pooh, the carrousel, and it’s a small world. It’s amazing how fast you can move without a stroller!
Riding the carrousel.
Walking onto it’s a small world. No line at all!!
Riding with her dad. Every time we ride this we talk about how Rosemary fell asleep in her daddy’s arms the first time she ever rode it.
In the stocks
After Fantasyland, Jonathan grabbed a bite of breakfast and we headed over to Adventureland to meet Tinker Bell (which did not go well), ride the magic carpets, see the Tiki birds, and ride the Jungle Cruise. Rosemary did not want to ride pirates this time.
After Adventureland, we went to Frontierland and rode Splash Mountain for the first time with Rosemary. I’ve ridden that ride quite a bit and never gotten as wet as we got on Saturday. And it was chilly! Thunder Mountain was closed so we didn’t get a chance to ride it. Next we headed to Tom Sawyer’s Island.
Then it was time for some lunch. Lobster rolls for Rosemary from Columbia Harbor House. She loves those.
After lunch we went over to Tomorrowland, but stopped and watched Dream Along with Mickey at the castle. We rode the People Mover, Carousel of Progress, and Buzz Lightyear.
It was almost time for the parade so we found a seat near the riverboat, which Rosemary wanted to ride next. By the time the parade was over though, the riverboat was closed for maintenance so instead we went over to the train and rode from Frontierland to Main Street.
From there we stopped by the Emporium to pick out a souvenir (a Minnie little doll set) then since we did everything Rosemary wanted to do (or at least didn’t want to wait to do) we caught the monorail back to the Transportation Center and then over to EPCOT. First we picked up our heavy coats…the temperature was definitely dropping!
We got to EPCOT around 5pm and got Soarin’ Fastpasses (the ride Rosemary REALLY wanted to ride) and then rode the Nemo ride. It was getting close to dinner so we decided to see how long the wait for dinner would be at the Rose and Crown. It was only 15 minutes so we waited.
Enjoying a roll.
Still daylight at this point. Dinner took a REALLY long time, we were there for about an hour an a half, and by the time we headed out it was dark. We did a quick tour of the World Showcase and stopped in Japan, Italy, and Mexico to look around a bit. Then we headed over to Soarin’. I think Rosemary liked it as much as she had hoped to.
Our last ride of the day was Spaceship Earth. By the time we were heading out, it was after 9pm, over 12 hours after we’d arrived. We took the monorail back to the Transportation Center and on our way out to the car, Rosemary asked to be carried. At first I said she needed to walk, but then I realized just how tired she had to be. I picked her up and she fell asleep in my arms. Jonathan carried her the rest of the way and she stayed asleep until we were back at the condo. It was such a full, wonderful, and special day. Even if Rosemary doesn’t remember it, I know I will.
