Well, today was the big day, the one Polly has been excited for since we arrived, her 8th birthday! Both girls woke around 6.30am which wasn’t too bad considering they were asleep by 7.30pm last night, and they quickly opened the presents the birthday fairy had sent for them (she’s also left some at home because she was aware of the weight restrictions on suitcases…such a thoughtful fairy!) Winnie then proceeded to get her hands covered in Magic colour-changing felt tips which were one of the presents, and then got upset because she thought she wouldn’t be allowed into the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique with mucky hands! Bless her!
We didn’t intend to rope drop Magic Kingdom today but were up and ready for 7.50am so set off anyway. The bus-gods were on our side and one rolled up shortly after we got to the bus stop (albeit with all seats already taken but that’s always the case at that time as buses stop at Kidani first). We got into the park and queued for some Main Street photos before heading to the left of the castle as Polly wanted to ride Haunted Mansion before Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique whilst Winnie opted for Peter Pan (divide and conquer was the way to go!)
Queues for both were minimal and we all met up again at our appointment time. Now the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is currently undergoing a refurbishment, so check in is currently across the way in the Castle Couture shop where you choose package, hairstyle and get into your outfit) whilst photos are done in Sir Mickeys. None of this hindered the experience (although an evacuation of Castle Couture where the girls were getting changed added an interesting additional component to the day! It was done very well though with the godmothers maintaining the magic throughout and the girls had no idea anything was occurring. Well done fairy godmothers!) We has opted for the cheapest package as we had taken our own costumes/ accessories/ sparkly gold Converse courtesy of eBay and it’s second hand sellers which we kept hidden from the girls so they didn’t know any different (worked out perfectly apart from the fact that I didn’t account for the Disney food-overload! Winnie’s trousers were definitely a little on the snug side!!!) I think with tax it worked out around $80 each which was a big saving on what it would have cost to buy costumes there.
We were led into the castle (even though we hadn’t yet paid due to the evacuation. We must look trustworthy!) and the girls were seated next to each other (at check in they asked if we wanted the next available seat or to wait for two chairs together which was a nice touch). The Fairy Godmothers in Training, Heather and Amy, were both incredibly lovely and great with the girls. The hairstyles all changed yesterday and the new ones are quite fake-hair heavy as well as being quite tightly pulled back, which I wasn’t sure my girls would enjoy (you’d think I was beating them with red hot pokers when I have to even gently plait their hair!) but they were fine and the styles looked really cute when they were done (I think the unicorn coloured hair extension ponytail with matching floral hair crown was made especially for Winnie!!) The girls had a great time and smiled the whole time. It’s a lovely experience for them, and they really are made to feel like princesses.
After the photos we used a fastpass to meet Tiana and Rapunzel (does anyone else find the princesses in Fairytale Hall to be wooden? They talked non-stop at the girls, but it was as if they were simply reciting lines) before heading over to meet Aladdin and Jasmine. They were just leaving for a break, but we were almost at the front of the queue by the time almost everyone left because of this, and only waited 20 minutes in total. Now these two were brilliant! They played off each other and ad-libbed fantastically (Aladdin accidentally knocked Winnie’s crown, so Jasmine started getting mad with him for going back to his old ways! He blamed being friends with Flynn Rider. It was really good fun. Princesses of Fairytale Hall, take note…not only were their eyebrows on point (especially Aladdin’s…I wish I had those skills!) but Aladdin and Jasmine nailed the Disney meet & greet magic!)
It was almost time for our lunch reservation. We’d booked the Tony’s Town Square parade package as it’s only 1-credit and we knew we’d have a good spot to watch the parade on Polly’s special day without having to stand for hours melting in the crazy heat, which is what we usually do. I went in with no expectations as I’d read a lot of mixed reviews but have to say it blew us away. The setting is really nice and feels like you’re in a proper restaurant. Their service was the best we’ve had all holiday and our server, (another Amy), went above and beyond to make our meal as lovely as it could be. And the food itself was excellent! I had a calamari starters and steak main, and Steve had deep fried Mozzarella then pizza-pie. Portions were gigantic and even we couldn’t finish everything (you get three courses plus bread with oil and balsamic which Polly ate most of herself!)
We had ordered a cake for Polly which was a surprise for her, and she absolutely loved, so we skipped dessert and ate that (although the server bought us ice-cream to eat with it). We were never going to finish the cake ourselves, and there was no way we were lugging it round all day, so Polly asked if she could offer it to their other tables near us because they’d been kind and sang to her. She shared it out and was so lovely and polite with everyone (she can be quite shy, so I was so proud of her). Our server noticed what she was doing and came over to tell her what a kind girl she was. She then gave us all an extra fast-pass for any ride as a treat for her kindness to others. It made Polly’s day and I don’t think she stopped grinning after that. To have two different Amy’s who made her birthday so magical was really special because we recently lost a family member named Amy, and the girls decided that she must be sprinkling pixie dust down from heaven to make Polly’s day even more special. It made me feel very emotional and very lucky to have such wonderful souls in my life.
A quick pit stop to loosen the hair that was now starting to cause their heads to ache a little (they’re fussy things!!) before heading (well, waddling) for our 4th (I think) 7 Dwarves Mine Train ride of the trip. Afterwards Polly said she’d like to try Splash Mountain for the first time with her extra magic fast pass, so we walked to the other side of the park (it was so hot that I could feel a part of my soul breaking with each step!) and got in the queue. I have honestly never seen a longer fast pass queue. I know the ride goes down a lot, but it was crazy. It took 35 minutes to get through it. Mind you, the girls absolutely loved it, and getting wet was a great way to cool down so it was definitely worth the wait.
We then squelched back to Main Street to find our parade viewing spot. It was 2.45pm and almost everywhere along each side was full, but the reserved viewing area was practically empty, and we got a position directly down from the castle. It was an amazing view, but it was in blazing sunshine with zero shade, so it felt as though we were sitting in an oven. Cooking towels worked a treat though and along with an umbrella allowed us to get through it (albeit with faces like beetroots!) with the best view we’ve ever had. It was magical! Sweaty, but magical!
At this point Polly decided that the proposed Epcot evening wasn’t going to happen (thank the Lord! You know when a joint of meat is tied up with the string, and the string digs in so that the meat puffed out around it? Well, that’s my feet in their sandals today!) so she asked to go on her favourite ride, Carousel of Progress, before heading back. We were more than happy with this as a storm was looming, so we headed over and got on the ride (not sure it’s classed as a ride!). It’s so cheesy and dated but we love it (plus it allowed Steve to get his afternoon power nap in!) and it also meant we missed that part of the storm. We then headed out of the park picking up a few snacks on the way for the evening’s planned movie viewing.
Back at the hotel the girls opened Polly’s last surprise which is a mermaid swim in the morning. They then played a few of Polly’s birthday present games before eating tea whilst watching part of a movie in bed and falling asleep around 8pm!!
Just before she fell asleep Polly sat up and thanked us for the best birthday she’s ever had. That little girl really does have the kindest heart of anyone I’ve ever met. I’m so lucky to be her Mummy. If today is an indication of what having an 8-year old is going to be like, I’m pretty certain it’s going to be one very happy ride ❤️
Doodle & Peg Do Disney 