Disney Perfection

 

Not that you would expect anything less from the Disney cast, but today was a perfect visit to the Magic Kingdom.  It started out with Ken conceding future visits to Disney, laying forth the strategy to buy a multi-day pass with the no expiration option, because "really it makes sense cost-wise if we're going to be coming back every few years" (this is where I threw my own Main Street parade. Papa Frank had to be smiling when he heard that too).   Then, we had total awesomeness with dividing the 3 kiddos between the 4 adults.  We were able to let each kiddo pick the rides of their interest, plus we really did not have any massive wait times.  We all convened for lunch at Pecos Bill's, and then shuffled kids and adults around for the afternoon.  We enjoyed our rides and then met for ice cream while waiting for the Main Street Parade.  The kids all enjoyed it, and watched spellbound through the entire thing.  I have to say that Lucy was on cloud nine; she squealed with delight and named each Princess that came through the parade. 
After the parade we made our way back to the gates, perusing the stores on the way out.  We also bumped into cast members that had hula-hoops for kids to try out... and you all ~know~ we have some great hoopers!  All three Rogers kids showed off their mad skills:  Mitchell showing great improvement from last summer, Owen drawing a crowd as he hula'd two hoops at a time, and Lucy, grinning the whole time as she hooped. 
The wind was picking up as we returned the stroller and ventured up the ramp to the monorail.  While we did not get the green one Owen was hoping for, the gold one that arrived drew instant approval from all 3 kids.  After we "disembarked", we caught a tram to head back out to PLUTO 14 and our parked car.  We felt increasingly intense (ok, it was gale-force) wind, and BIG rain drops started falling from the sky.  The whole Baleiko-Rogers team did an ~excellent~ job running back to the car.  We no sooner got in and closed the doors before the sky opened up with some serious rainfall.  Ken did a great job driving through it, navigating the way to Flippers Pizzeria for a fantastic meal to end the day. By the time we finished eating the rain stopped long enough for us to get back into the hotel without being drenched.

Some of the kids' highlights  of the day include:

 Lucy:
-Watched a performance at Cinderella's Castle with Mommy and Daddy
-Went on and LOVED "It's a Small World"
-Danced in the street, and in the restaurant too
-Saw multiple Disney Princesses
-Rode Dumbo several times
-Rode around in the luxury of a Disney stroller
-Was the Official Elevator Button Pusher of the Day

Owen:
-Drove the Race Cars
-Rode on Aladdin's Magic Carpet twice
-Took the Jungle Cruise with Aunt Ruthie
-Helped con Grammy into riding Thunder Mountain with him

Mitchell:
-Drove the Race Cars
-Went on the Pirates of the Caribbean twice
-Climbed through the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse
-PLUNGED 50 feet down Splash Mountain with Mommy and Daddy
-Helped us remember where we parked the car (see above photo)

We are all looking forward to dining with Chef Mickey tomorrow for a late breakfast.  The kids will have their autograph books and pens in hand.  I am sure another round of photos will follow.  A huge round of thanks to Aunt Ruthie and Grammy for helping the magic happen today.  It was Walt Disney Wonderful. 

M - I - C - K - E - Y

WOW! What a week. We had a great week in Florida; who wouldn't love temps above 30? We did make it to the Magic Kingdom on Tuesday. It started off well (except for the sunscreen-in-Owen's-eyes incident); we have never parked so close!

We had "leftover" tickets from our very first visit to Disney world (I think in '86) that still had value on them... we redeemed them--I was using my original ticket, as were Ruthie and "Grammy". A nice sentimental start to the day. We also waited to ride the monorail in the very front with the driver. That was a big hit to the boys. If you ask them, they would both say that the monorail ride was their favorite part! It was completed with their very own monorail co-pilot license (Ruthie and I waited 20+ years for them! haha)

Lucy and Ken met us later, and we all had fun enjoying different attractions. The race cars were big, likewise the merry-go-round. We of course took in Its a Small World, much to Lucy and Owen's delight. The afternoon Parade was a nice cap to the day.

A few days later we enjoyed breakfast with the characters at Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary. YAY! The kids just sat in awe of their friends. Lucy just stared at Minnie, and Owen grinned from ear to ear. Mitchell scrambled to get their autographs.




















There were many happy memories remembered and made. I think that we carried on the tradition in fine form. I think Papa Frank would be proud.

There are LOADS of great pictures, so I will post more another night.