So today was the day last year that made us want to return again for this New Year. However, I did have a niggling feeling that the day just wouldn’t live up to last year. I needn’t have worried as we have honestly had the best day!
We were up and on the 6am bus which felt like a lie in after yesterday. We arrived at the park and the crowd was much bigger than on Sunday, but we knew that would be the case. Getting in once they opened the park was quite difficult as people were pushing and shoving with no regard for one another, but once we were on Main Street and saw that beautiful castle I couldn’t help but feel so incredibly grateful to be spending the last day of the decade here with the people who make my heart burst with love. We had tried to tie up most of the day with reservations in an attempt to avoid the inevitable crowd. We had Be Our Guest Breakfast (we preordered meals for the girls and mimosas for us!) at 8.30am, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at 9.30am, Tony’s Town Square at 12pm and the dessert party at 5pm with fast passes scattered around them.
We didn’t have a set plan for rides other than fast passes as we decided to see where queues were minimal. We started with Peter Pan, Small World, and the carousel as well as Mickey’s Philarmagic which the girls absolutely love (although they always come close to taking someone’s head off reaching for the 3-d images!!) Breakfast was a nice sit down, and there was plenty of room. We then headed for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
We always take our own dresses and choose the cheapest package as other than choosing a dress it’s exactly the same experience. However, this time we were left waiting almost 55 minutes before being taken to the makeover part of the boutique, which meant we’d likely miss the morning parade we were planning on watching. We needn’t have worried though as not only were the fairy godmothers amazingly lovely with the girls, they worked at super speed so that we not only made the parade but got escorted to the VIP area which is an area of a few benches on the bridge near Liberty Square where we got front row seats. We were so close to the parade. It was amazing and the girls said it was the best parade view ever. Disney really do go above and beyond to make things right.
After the parade we headed for our Tinkerbell fastpass which wasn’t necessarily needed as there wasn’t too big a wait, but Polly really wanted it seeing as she was dressed as Tink. I think Tink must have had a rough night on NYE-eve (maybe a few too many botanicals?) as she was a little lacklustre, but the girls didn’t seem to notice.
We then headed for our reservation at Tony’s. We’d booked the parade package as we originally planned the 2pm parade, but after having to change fast passes around due to a last-minute BBB costume change we thought it was pushing it so opted for the morning parade. However, when we checked out what we wanted from the menu we decided we’d stick with the package anyway as the cost was similar and it gave us a backup plan.
Anyway, both server and food were great, and we left suitably stuffed. As soon as we saw the crowds we decided we would in fact stick with our parade viewing plan as we decided with a speedy dash through the shops we’d still likely make our Haunted Mansion fastpass. It was around 1.15pm by this time so we headed straight for the viewing area as we had nowhere else to be. I honestly can’t recommend this package enough. The area is roped off and policed really well to ensure only those with the package get in, and the views are amazing. Plus, you have loads of room to stretch out/ move around. The girls loved it and they also got the bonus of playing with the elves again which they missed out on this morning.
After the parade we encountered the severity of the crowd for the first time trying to get to Haunted Mansion. Obviously everyone needed the toilet at this point so after taking one look at the snake-like line coming from the restrooms near Crystal Palace we decided to head to the Rapunzel ones instead as there are loads of cubicles there and, as Polly says, they don’t smell of aeroplanes 🤷♀️ It was a wise move aside from the bottleneck outside of Columbia Harbour house which was sardine central! Still, our bladders were suitably empty in time to go on the ride (they were incredibly lenient with fast pass times today). The line seemed crazily long, but we were on the ride in about 10 minutes. Winnie was so scared last time and although she still covered her ears she watched it all this time so that was good.
After the ride we headed to our 7 Dwarves Fastpass. The girls have been counting down the days until Winnie turns 7 so they can sit together, but we realised that if they went on with just one adult they got to sit together with the adult behind. As a result, I ended up being bag lady whilst the other 3 rode (by this point I really wasn’t fussed so long as I got to sit down and rest my now elephant-like cankles!)
We managed to grab a 4th fastpass for Teacups which I usually hate but agreed to go on. Winnie then spent the whole time giggling furiously whilst trying to spin us as fast as she could to see if I’d be sick whilst Polly tried to stop her. Personalities summed up in one ride!!!
We went to see Winnie’s special fairy godmother Kaitlyn, who shares a birthday with her as she wasn’t there earlier, before heading to the dessert party. The party wasn’t open yet, but the queue was already huge. We were quite concerned that we’d never all fit into the plaza so scoffed our food fast (and Champagne Charlie Winnie supped her weight in sparkling apple juice!) before heading across to the plaza.
We needn’t have worried as there was loads of space and the girls had a wonderful time playing with friends they made there and dancing to the pre-firework party. It was so lovely watching the day turn to dusk, then the castle light up before the fireworks started and we rang in the new year with Mickey (well, English new year! We were never going to make midnight here!!)
A squash and a squeeze and CM with a seemingly magic blue wand that suddenly cleared the way and we were out of the park and heading home (well, after we waited for 2 full buses to leave!!)
I can honestly not put into words how incredibly blessed I feel right now. I got to start and finish 2019 in this wonderful place with my absolute loves who are my absolute world. And with them by my side, how can 2020 be anything but wonderful?
Happy new year you wonderful people ❤️
Doodle & Peg Do Disney 