The Holton Family: Disney Day 3- Back to the Magic Kingdom

On Monday, we headed back to the Magic Kingdom. We went straight to the Peter Pan ride since it always had a long line and when we got there, it was only a 5 minute wait! The kids loved this ride! After that, we met up with Mark, Kara and the kids and headed over to Mickey's PhilharMagic for a 3-D (or was it 4-D?) show. I had a feeling Ava wasn't going to be crazy about this one, she was already being grumpy for some reason while we were waiting for the show and wouldn't put her glasses on. Well, I was right. Once the show started, Jeff had to make a quick exit with Renee (she DEFINITELY did not like it) and Ava ended up on my lap and except for a few funny moments on the screen, she kept asking "when's it gonna be done?". There were definitely some moments and LOUD noises that would startle, even frighten, a 3 yr old so I shouldn't have been surprised that she didn't like it. Zach, however, loved it!

Once we were out of there, we headed over to It's a Small World ride to help cheer up Ava. Seeing all the pretty dolls in their costumes and hearing them sing was the perfect antidote for Ava's funk, she loved it! She was definitely in a better mood when we got off that ride.

Next, we headed over to Tomorrowland to use our Fastpasses on Space Mountain. As Jeff and I stood in a VERY short line, we talked about how that ride hadn't changed a bit since we were kids. The whole atmosphere (as I am sure you remember) when you are waiting is dark and "futuristic"-at least by 1970's standards-and you can't help feeling some nostalgia for your childhood. That is the neat thing about Disney World, not much changes so everytime you go back, it's like you never left. So few things in life don't change, I guess that is why Disney is so magical (I know I sound kinda cheesy). Anyway, of course, Space Mountain was fun...if not a little rough...I don't seem to remember that part.

Once we got out of that ride, our kids were done for the day so we headed home. As we were waiting for the monorail, we asked if the kids could sit up front with the pilot (we overheard someone else do the very same thing the first day we were there) and they got a very special treat! They got to see how the monorail is driven and got an upfront view of the track and all the scenery. Mommy missed that one cause the stroller wouldn't fit up there so I just sat in the back with Papaw and Renee. Once home, everyone had a fabulous nap...the first in three days!!! Thankfully, everyone woke up feeling refreshed and ready to go, so off the the Magic Kingdom again! Gaga, Mark, Kara and their kids were still there so we planned to meet up with them later in the day to see another parade.

Once we were back in the park, we headed to Frontierland and immediately got in line for our picture with Frontier Donald Duck! That got the kids excited so then we walked over to Adventureland and rode The Magic Carpets of Aladdin (similar to Dumbo) where the kids were able to control their carpets and try to avoid getting spit on by a big, golden camel! We all enjoyed that one!

Next, it was the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, which we thought for sure meant we would be carrying all three children up the steps, but Zach and Ava surprised us with their energy level and they climbed the whole thing themselves! They had alot of fun looking at all the rooms up in the tree and imagining what it would be like to live up there.

Afterwards, it was the moment Zach had been waiting for...Pirates of the Carribean!! Papaw graciously watched the girls as Jeff and I took Zach on this much anticipated ride. He was so excited and we were a bit nervous that he would come away a little scared but he really surprised Jeff and I...he wasn't afraid one bit! He LOVED the cannons, skeletons (he has been big on skeletons for a few months now...or "stelekons" as he calls them) and the pirates and I think we sang "Yo ho, Yo ho, a pirate's life for me" about a million times afterwards. And of course, he went nuts in the gift shop (you know the ride exited into one...brilliant marketing strategy...frustrating a bit for parents!) and he did come away with a few prized pirate guns.

Finally, it was time to head back to Main Street to grab our spot for that evening's SpectroMagic Parade. Gaga and the rest of the group had claimed us a spot near the front entrance and the kids were entertained with hula hoops and popcorn until show time. (Poor Ava, she got bonked pretty hard with a hula hoop on the side of her head...she seemed to get alot of boo boos on the trip). Once night fell, the parade began with lots of light up floats, it was quite the sight to see...and of course my crappy camera did not do the floats any justice but oh well. Of course, Ava's hand was waving the whole time and Cinderella blew her a kiss which was very special. Pluto also came up and gave her a kiss and wouldn't you know, both occasions my camera missed!

Once the parade was over, we fought the crowds to the ferry to take us back to the transportation area where we hoped to watch the fireworks display. We stood around for about 10 minutes watching the lights on Cinderella's castle change colors and then the fireworks began! It was spectacular and very special as this was the first time Zach and Ava had seen fireworks (yes, really, our kids are kind of wimpy so we never wanted to torture them in the past...guess we had nothing to worry about). After the show, it was back home for some much needed sleep! It was a magical day!

Zach and Natalie ready for Mickey's PhilharMagic!

Happy after "It's A Small World" and a snack.

Ava riding in the pilot seat of the monorail...

and Zach too!

Frontier Donald and the Holton family!

Daddy, Renee and Papaw getting ready to ride The Magic Carpets of Aladdin!

Playing with the cannons outside the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse

Mommy happy she doesn't have to carry any children up all those steps!

On the way to the Pirates of the Carribean ride, who should we meet up with but Captain Hook! Arrggh! (Zach said he wasn't too sure about him)

Zach and Daddy outside "Pirates"...Zach was so excited!

Posing next to some pirate guns while we waited in line.

The Holton boys in front of Cinderella's castle.

Ava trying to hula hoop...it was really cute, she would let the hoop go and then shake her booty really fast...we got it on video I think! (This was pre-bonk to the head)