The original plan for today was to relax around the pool, maybe have a nap, and then head into Magic Kingdom late afternoon for the pre-dessert party for the first night of the return of Happily Ever After. Except, I forgot we are the family that don’t relax, and the plan quickly changed to heading into the park earlier to watch a parade and maybe do a few rides, which ended up leaving us with only a few pool hours. We got to the French Quarter pool as it was due to open, but there had been a fault overnight and the water level wasn’t right so there was a delay in opening. The girls went to have some breakfast, and by the time they’d finished there was still no sign of the situation being resolved, so the lifeguard suggested we head over to the pool at Riverside. He asked if we’d like a lift there, and the girls being the princesses they are said yes, so we got taken down on a golf buggy!
The Riverside pool has a very different feel to the French Quarter pool (and a slide so slow that Winnie actually came to a halt on it!) It is very pretty and feels very secluded, and the girls enjoyed an hour or so playing there before we set off back to the room to get ready for the Magic Kingdom.
We arrived at the park around 2 with no real plan, so decided to get an ice cream from The Plaza while we decided. The girls chose the kitchen sink, and they demolished it. It was actually a good call as it was so hot that the ice cream was melting super fast, so a cone would have likely ended up as a mess on the floor!
Winnie really wanted to see Flynn in the parade which meant we had to stand on the unshaded side of the route. We opted for the area in front of Hall of Presidents as there was a slight draft from the air con, but it was absolutely baking. Still, it was worth it as Rapunzel and Flynn were really excited to see them, Wendy remembered them as her duck friends and Donald even came over to say hello again.
After the parade we decided to head into Haunted Mansion to cool off before grabbing some food at Columbia Harbour House. We then went to Small World where we realised Steve hadn’t put Polly’s glasses in the bag which she needed for the fireworks, so he left the queue to go back to fetch them (whilst writing this I am actually wondering if he had them all along but just wanted to escape the torture!) We were on the ride ages as it kept stopping, but we had a giggle at the end scene as we firstly decided it was Small World heaven, but then changed our minds and realised it may well be Small World hell where all the characters are forced to repeat the same actions for all eternity.
We then went to meet Rapunzel & Tiana before Winnie decided she’d like a photo shoot in Sir Mickeys. The photographer was fab and had so much fun with them. He then told them to go to the lantern photo later, which is something we’ve never done as our only late park nights are for fireworks, so we decided we’d do it. A quick ride on Pooh where all 3 of us were crushed in together on one row and we went back to Main Street to meet up with Steve with a large latte as a reward for him bringing the glasses (that he may or may not have had all along!) It was still before 6 and the hub was already getting pretty packed with people waiting for the fireworks, so we were glad we had our dessert party spot.
We went to ride Buzz before deciding to get in line for the party as a queue was already forming. The cast members were really efficient though, handing out wristbands whilst we were in line, and they let us into the party around 7. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the food is definitely not worth the money you pay for the party, but for a special occasion such as this, knowing you’ll have a space where you won’t be squashed like sardines can make it worthwhile. The girls and I ate a bit and much non-alcoholic apple cider was consumed before we decided to head down and get a spot. Steve stayed for some peace and quiet (and much red wine!) and joined us a bit later.
You are meant to stay on the grass until 10 minutes before the fireworks, at which point you can stand and move forwards, but everyone stood around 8.30. I think the excitement was too much!
The atmosphere was electric, and we couldn’t wait for the show to start. When it did there was so much cheering, and everyone sang along. It really was amazing and a memory we will all remember for a long time. I took a couple of photos but wanted to watch with my special people rather than film, and I’m so glad (I can always watch it on the 5000 YouTube videos that will exist!!) It really was the most amazing night, and I am so lucky I got to experience it, even with the child next to me who kept hitting me and screaming all of the song words very loudly in my ear!!
After the fireworks they played the song again, so we stayed in the garden and had a little sing and dance while the crowd cleared, although the crowd was so big it didn’t really clear at all, so we decided to make our way to the Tangled Lantern photo which is just outside the Tangled toilets. We had to queue for around 20 minutes but didn’t think that was too bad, and we had the same photographer as earlier who remembered the girls and was really great with them.
We had a lightning lane for Mine Train to finish the night off. The girls asked to go at the front and absolutely loved it! We did consider People Mover afterwards, but we were all shattered, so opted for a few photos on Main Street and the bus ride back to the resort.
Nobody took much rocking to sleep, and I’ve no idea how tired they’ll all be tomorrow, but whatever happens it will have been more than worth it to be there for the most special of Disney nights.
Doodle & Peg Do Disney 