I had sat up late the previous evening transferring photos from the SD cards onto the laptop, but this was our first Magic Kingdom day for the trip and I knew we needed to be there at park opening if we didnt want to waste the day. We had booked the preferred fireworks viewing for that evening. I knew where it was and it really isnt a great spot with all the trees in the way so there was no intention of using it, but I booked it as a backup as this was a planned MK day and Wishes was on the cards for the evening anyway.
I should tell you that DD takes absolute ages to get going in the mornings so I started waking her at about 6.45 am. I knew she would want to eat breakfast and there is no point getting to a park for rope drop if you want to go and eat first. It was about 7.30 before I was ushering her out the door and to the food court. Armed with a plan this time to utilise all of our QSDP credits I figured if we used some for shared breakfasts on some of the mornings it was one less meal to get through during the day. There was a big debate as to what to order because I dont eat eggs or sausage and neither of us eat bacon. Eventually, it looked like snack credits were the way to go in the morning until DD asked if we could get a platter with bits of everything. The trouble was that the Bounty Platter was bacon, egg, sausage ..... I asked if we could order one without the bacon and egg and they were only too happy (albeit very surprised at the request and asked a few times if I was sure) to oblige so we got sausages for DD, a biscuit (Blech! I dont eat them, but didnt have the heart to further complicate my clearly unusual request), a pancake and mickey waffles. I eat fruit for breakfast so this starchy stuff, although very tasty, left me feeling like lead after a few bites. The potatoes were so delicious though and they had heaped up plenty for us. In spite of sharing it, we were still defeated by the size of the meal. We did take a picture of it but I cant seem to find it anywhere.
Then it was the usual quick trip back to the room to drop the mugs off, collect the park bag and head out to wait for the bus. We got to MK as the park opened. It was mobbed! I was completely unprepared for the crowds that day, which didnt appear much different to my Easter week experiences. I really didnt know how to tackle this and was uncertain as to whether my normal strategies would work for us in this season. My view is that a large number of guests who manage to make it to park opening have small children who wake early, deeming Fantasyland a first if you plan to do it. Since that is no longer a priority for us, Tomorrowland is the next place to head. It was uncomfortable to move around Main Street and taking photos was going to be a waste of time so we made our way into one of the shops for DD to look at things and try on hats, although I made it clear that shopping is not for first thing in the morning and we needed to get moving.
Always have to try on a hat
Frontierland was our best option (I hoped it still held true) and it didnt disappoint. Splash Mountain was walk on but we by-passed it to get a FP for BTMR before going back to ride Splash.
We then went back to hit the standby line for BTMR which had a 5 minute wait, i.e. walk on. It took slightly longer due to a minor delay. A group of three folk in front of us who suddenly decided to stop and have a leisurely photo session in the queuing area, positioning themselves to occupy all available space in the walkway so that the line behind them came to a grinding halt. They were even fiddling with the camera settings with the two camera-less folk barking instructions on how to take the shot. It probably took all of 30 40 seconds, but was long enough that a CM actually walked out and came to see where everyone was. She neednt have bothered. We were right behind them and a moment before the CM appeared, DD piped up: Mum, tell them to come back at lunch time when the line is long so they dont get disturbed taking their photos. Dont you love it when your kids think out loud on your behalf in public?!
We walked onto Splash again and came back to ride BTMR once more before going to get DD a Mickey Premium Bar. That meant it was time to fish out the baby wipes all ready for the clean-up operation which I predicted, quite accurately, would be in about 5 minutes. We were near to the Liberty Belle and the wait time for the next departure was 5 minutes so we went over and walked straight on. There was a bit of a debate as to where to stand. I wanted to be upstairs and/or anywhere in the sun. DD refused to be anywhere but in the shade. She wilts in the heat. I struggle with the slightest bit of cool and didnt find it that hot at all. So we found an area on the lower deck with sun and shade and everyone was happy. Its such a lovely tour along the water and serves as a break and an attraction all at the same time, while offering views of Frontierland from a different perspective.
By now my taste buds were lusting after a dole whip so we made our way to Aloha Isle for one of these, which we split between us. It was now time to point out that we should be heading out of the park as we had a reservation for Whispering Canyon Cafe at 2.20 pm. Some of you may remember I really wrestled with this one as DD, not knowing about this trip, had mentioned many times that she would love to eat there. However I was a little uncertain about the actual meal as the menu had changed since ADR time in April and there was little if anything on there that I thought either of us would fancy eating. So imagine my surprise when she said, Oh mum, do we have to go? I dont want to leave here just yet. Once I was certain that she understood that we still had this reservation and would not be able to get another one this trip, I agreed, with a certain amount of relief, to cancel. I simply did that from the park. So that took care of that dilemma. Now that food had been discussed, we decided to get something to eat at MK and made our way over to Pecos Bills. It was already fairly busy but the line moved quickly and we ordered a chicken wrap with fries to share. Last year they were testing the system whereby you had to have your food before you could get a table. This was not happening now. We walked around for a good 10 minutes, the food now cold, unable to find a place to sit. On our third trek around the outside I was getting really annoyed trying to manoeuvre a tray with a large drink and cold food on it between all the people and I told DD if we didnt spot a table this round, I was going to abandon the tray of food and we could head over to Columbia Harbor House for a meal.
She looked at me in disbelief, but realised I was serious. Just then she spotted someone leaving and made a bolt for the table. Well done Tiggi!
It always happens here and there, but on this trip I was astounded at the number of people at parks and resorts alike, who would finish their meal and just leave their leftovers and rubbish lying on the table.
Feeling rather full after the wrap and our dole whip not too long before lunch, we made our way out of Frontierland. DD wanted to stop and sit somewhere. I saw that there were only 2 families sitting on the Adventureland verandah so I went to find out from a nearby CM how long it would be until Ariel came out again and the answer was about 15 to 20 minutes. Good. It was shady and we could sit down there and wait. So we made ourselves comfortable on the cool floor and sat and chatted to a mum and her little girl while we waited. By the time Ariel appeared the line had snaked through the ropes and extended beyond Aloha Isle. We had made a wise choice! Ariel was lovely.
We have meet & greet pictures from when she was in her grotto in her mermaid costume so it was lovely to have something different and this character really stepped into her role perfectly. It was quite interesting seeing the change in DD since our last trip 18 months ago. I watched the few little girls in front of us go up and gaze at Ariel in awe. Then my 8 year old strutted up, smiled and chatted but that sense of wonder in her eyes wasnt there anymore. The signs were there last year already so it was expected, but as the girls ahead of us were considerably younger the contrast was quite stark. It was now 2.30 pm and we opted to take a break at the resort for a swim before returning for the evening EMH. The park was very busy by this stage and there was little point exhausting ourselves for one or two things now if we wanted to stay late that night so we headed down Main Street, stopping at The Emporium on our way out before getting on the bus back to POFQ.
We were about to take a break at the pool for an hour or so. When we got to our room we found these
DD couldn't remember what they were called and called me in great excitement to say: "Look! We got more puppets!" I thought that was really cute.
Part 2 coming up: Our MK night.
So sad. I really do miss POFQ! Did September spoil you?
Where will you stay to conduct your 'research'? We fell head over heels in love with POFQ so my plans for a split POP/Poly stay next year have been altered to POFQ and just a few days at the Poly.
She said she didn't think we could possibly see all the sites and venues in 3 days... right....
Toontown will be gone when we go back and it was more of a sentimental visit than anything else but I wanted a few last photos of the Barnstormer which had been DDs introduction to Disneys coasters and the ultimate confidence builder which fuelled her passion for many other rides after that.
We did see the family afterwards and the little ones had loved it and they were going again so I felt better. 
I had a hard time leaving Florida this year! 
