#DisneySMMoms 2010 – Rainy Day Magic in the Kingdom (Day 3, Part 1)

We woke up on Tuesday, February 9th ready to have a magical day. And it was going to be extra magical because we were going to the Magic Kingdom. Unfortunately, we had also been dreading this day. You see, the weather forecasts kept predicting rain. We were lucky with last year’s trip that we only had one day with rain (JSL’s birthday) and even then it was only for a few hours. Still, we forged ahead. We didn’t even eat breakfast because we wanted to be at the Magic Kingdom for the opening show. To be prepared for hungry kids (not to mention grown-ups) we did pack a few snacks, though, and munched on those until we ate a proper meal.

As with the previous day, I went ahead with the kids while B got ready to go. On our way to the bus stop, I took a few photos of our hotel grounds.

We got to the Magic Kingdom with time to spare. While waiting, I obtained some maps. Then I went and returned them because I somehow got maps in German! Achtung. Mein Fehler. With the right maps in our hands (including the boys, like last year they just adored having maps to hold), we watched the opening show. First, a man and some dancers came out, performing a little song and dance. Then we heard the Magic Kingdom train roaring into the station. Off came Goofy, Donald, Snow White, Daisy, Pluto, Aladdin, Jasmine, Chip, Dale, Alice, the White Rabbit, and, of course, Mickey Mouse. With them was a lucky family chosen (somehow) to open the park with all of them. A short show and some streamers later and we headed into the park. (Note the very overcast skies.)

As with Hollywood Studios the day before, I took all of our tickets and walked ahead. This time, I went to Space Mountain and obtained a Fast Pass. NHL was going to ride this with B later as it was closed for renovations when we went to Disney World last year. When B caught up with me, we went on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. This was another favorite of ours from last year. It’s no Toy Story Mania, but it is still fun. NHL rode with B while JSL rode next to me.

Next, it was time to coax NHL onto something we had wanted to do last year, but that he was too afraid to go on. Stitch’s Great Escape. He was worried that Stitch was going to scare him and spit on him. We explained that only the Downtown Disney Stitch (on top of the big Character Shop) spits. Reluctantly, NHL went on with me. We got inducted into the Galactic Federation’s Prisoner Transport Center and, after dealing with an easy criminal, got sent quickly to deal with a severe one. Yes, the prisoner was Stitch. Luckily, he was imprisoned in an escape-proof case, right? Well, not exactly. Stitch made quick work of the case and wound up around us. Only we couldn’t see him because he also got the lights. This attraction was ok, but certainly not for small children or anyone who can’t stand the dark.

Next, we decided to go on the Tomorrowland Speedway. The engines were revving and the smell of burning gasoline was in the air. It seemed like quite a fun ride. Yes, the line was long, but they moved it quickly. NHL and B got into a blue racer while JSL and I got into a yellow one. We each let the kids drive (though I operated the gas pedal). Let me tell you, there is no way JSL is getting his driver’s license yet. He was all over the road! Luckily, there’s a beam in the center of the lane that prevents the car from swerving off course too much. Still, by hitting the beam hard, JSL almost launched himself out of the car a few times (even though he was buckled in)! Still, he had a blast. The engine was roaring, the wind was in his hair and he was chanting "I gonna get you NHL!" From what I heard later (and saw), NHL had a great ride also, albeit with less beam-hitting.

After our little drive, we went to see what quickly became JSL’s favorite ride: The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh. He loved seeing Pooh Bear, Tigger, Eeyore, Rabbit, Piglet and the rest. This ride is really fun for the little ones as it condenses a few Winnie The Pooh stories into one fun ride.

After our honey (sorry, "hunny") pot ride, we rode on a flying pachyderm. Of course, I’m talking about the one and only Dumbo. Except I guess I shouldn’t say "one and only" since there are quite a few Dumbos on the ride.

Post-Dumbo, we headed back to Tomorrowland so NHL and B could ride Space Mountain. As we neared the rollercoaster, NHL started got nervous. He didn’t want to go on. Shamelessly, we bribed him. If he rode Space Mountain with B and then with me, we’d get him a present. I waited with JSL while B and NHL rode the ride. They came back out and, apparently, NHL hated the ride. They had remodeled it since B was on it last and the ride was almost entirely pitch-black. I forgave NHL the "ride with me" portion of our deal (since I didn’t want to go on it anyway) and we promised him a toy for going on with B.

After Space Mountain, we walked back over to Snow White’s Scary Ride. This was a ride we didn’t go on last year so it was new to the boys. At this point, the rain was starting and this got us out of the coming downpour.

After Snow White, we moved on to Cinderella. Cindrella’s Golden Carrousel, to be more specific. Somehow, we never went on this last year and the boys love carrousel rides. This one was no exception.

Riding horses can make one hungry, so we ate lunch at Pinocchio Villiage Haus. We all enjoyed our pizzas and even spotted a hidden Mickey. Can you find it?

After refueling, we continued on with our Magic Experience. And since this post has gotten so long, we’ll continue on – tomorrow!