Magic Kingdom: Take 2 (Day 9)

Only one update today as it was a long day and dont want to repeat myself too much.

So it was Magic Kingdom for a second time (first time for the parents) and everyone, apart from my dad struggled a little to get out of bed. No breakfast, just coffee (and energy shots).We had arranged to go to Bell’s castle for lunch (well its the Beasts castle but as its assumed they married its technically hers - that’s how it works right?). Weather was hot with no forecast of rain so all good. Wanted to hit the park using the same route as before, Adventure Land, Frontier Land, Fantasy Land and then Tomorrow Land to finish.

We managed to get the three mountains done today - woot, two in the morning, Big Thunder Mountain first, followed up by Splash Mountain. Grace had contracted a little fear of heights, probably due to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror so sat Splash Mountain out this time around. Started raining too but only for 10 minutes or so. Next on to Haunted Mansion and then a few Fantasy Land rides in between another shower (which was the last of the day) all before lunch.

Be Our Guest!

So Be Our Guest for lunch in an amazing castle-esque building complete with elegant decor. Food was ordered via a touchscreen panel, which was a little strange but really straightforward (ah the wonders of science, putting people out of jobs and stuff). We then decided where we wanted to eat and chose the forbidden West Wing, DUN DUN DUUUUN! It was totally authentic, dark and creepy with thunder and lightning effects and the encased magical rose in the window. Food came super quick and it was huge portions (opted for roast beef & horseradish sandwich), so pretty good value for money considering where it was. Everyone seemed to enjoy their food too, but no character meet & greets like Cinderellas Royal table. Then had ‘the grey stuff’ for dessert which was called the masters cupcake, though I didnt really get to see that as wee Grace, who only got a cookie had already seized it for herself.

Seven Dwarfs mine train was the first of the afternoon, and Grace who apparently was promised a pony (toy pony) for going on the ride, now was apparently getting two ponies. Must be getting old and forgetting things… ;) She duped the boys into buying her more toys the day before and now she had moved on to me, sly wee monkey.

Tomorrow Land!

The boys really wanted to try out the Speedway last time so me, my dad and the kids all went on with Patrick being old enough to drive himself. Gracie wanted to drive our car, but having no coordination and attention span she gave up have way through and just sat back and enjoyed the ride, where I know had to steer (badly I may add), GoPro the drive (very bad I may add), accelerate and take photos all at the same time. Cant wait to see the footage on that one (probably mostly of my knee or the clouds in the sky).
Space Mountain next and even though they sent me an email saying it was closed for our FP+ time, it was open - it was only me and Patrick who wanted to go on it, so off we went. It was one of Patricks and it didn’t disappoint. Carousel of Progress, a nice simple one rounded off the day, and me and Grace sat this out two years ago as she was a baby and babies sleep a lot so she was asking the hundred questions she asked before any ride today. Is this a ride? Does is go fast? Does it go down? Can you hold my hand if it goes fast? Does it going down a wee bit? She really liked it though especially the dog, though she did question why the dog seemed to live for over 100 years which was really very observant (shell be a scientist at the very least our little Gracie).

Of course, things don’t always go according to plan do they? Robert left his hat on the ride and we were told we would have to wait twenty minutes before they could look for it as that’s how long the ride takes to cycle back around to the start. While we were waiting we went and met Buzz Lightyear who was pretty cool, another off our list. Were due to return to Magic Kingdom again (were here for three weeks so why not) and next time well be doing some character hunting to get photos and autographs, as we skipped by most of them today on the way to our rides :) The operators couldn’t find Roberts hat, and even although WE had lost it they gave us a voucher to get a new one from one of their stores - how amazing is that? Disney - YOU ROCK! First hat I seen in the store was Mike’s MY cap from Monsters University and there just cant be a better hat that that so it had to be done. It didn’t fit Robert, so Patrick swapped his one for it (as its the coolest hat in the world, see my IG image posted today for evidence, Ill mostly likely find a way to win/steal it from Patrick in the near future - watch this space).

Homeward bound for a quick rest and change the headed out for dinner at Perkins, which was pretty decent. Returned via Madame Tussauds, a new attraction on International Drive, which we had tickets for. I remember going into the one in Blackpool years ago so was looking forward to it and for the kids even more as they didn’t know what to expect. See a few greats, Einstein, Martin Luther King, Ali, Samuel L Jackson and Jennifer Lawrence to name a few. I seemed to be loving it more than the kids, oops.

Rest day in the form of Aquatica (first time Ill have been), just really want to take it easy tomorrow though as we have a big day at Islands for PG’s birthday on Tuesday :) :) :)