We headed out to the bus at just past 7 am giving ourselves plenty of time to get to MK. My sister forgot the twins' autograph books and went back to the room to get them as the rest of the family headed for the bus stop which was at nearby Congress Park. Just as my sister, BIL, and I arrived at the bus stop, we could see the MK bus pulling up. Loading my sister's scooter on the bus was a little interesting and time-consuming. We were soon on our way to MK and were the only ones on the bus. MK was a good 20 minute bus ride away and when we arrived, more waiting as the scooter was unloaded from the bus and my sister/BIL tried to decide what to do about their double stroller. In the meantime, 2 more buses pulled up and a large crowd poured out of them. After having our bags checked, and spending a little time at the turnstiles because BIL's park pass wouldn't work, we were finally on our way down Main Street.
The Christmas decorations were beautiful but we were a bit disappointed to see a large crane behind the castle which detracted from the few pictures that we took of our group.
We headed for the castle and could soon start smelling the scent of bacon in the air. Rhys was extremely happy to hear about (and smell) bacon - one of his favorite breakfast foods and one that we have all but given up in the name of healthier eating habits at home.
We arrived at CRT about 20 minutes early and they checked us in right away and directed us towards the line for pictures. We waited for quite some time to have pictures taken with Cinderella and when our turn finally came, we were allowed 3 poses for our party of 11. We had a picture done of our kids, Sister's kids, and then all the kids together.
The CM had already taken our autograph books and had them signed as we waited in the picture line. Cinderella was very gracious and played her role beautifully.
We headed up the stairs/elevators and when we reached the dining room, the kids were bestowed with plastic wands (the girls) and sword (for Rhys although his cousin, Rebecca, later traded her wand in for a sword too) in addition to be given a small plastic star that said "Magic Wish" on it. The kids were thrilled. We were shown to our seats - 2 tables - so we split up from my sister and her family.
Orders were placed and I opted for the "healthy" breakfast consisting of yogurt, granola, and fruit rather than the stuffed french toast, bacon, sausage, eggs, and potatoes.
We were served coffee, more fruit, and a basket full of pastries including the BEST biscotti I have ever tasted - so incredibly buttery. MIL asked for more biscotti so we could save them for later and our server was more than happy to oblige. The kids were served french toast sticks with dipping syrup, bacon and eggs - but no sausage. The adults had more than enough sausage to go around.
Soon after sitting down and receiving our food, an announcement was made that the characters had arrived: Mary Poppins, Belle, Snow White, and Fairy Godmother who made their way to each table while we ate. After they had visited each table, they led the children in a special wish-making ceremony which only consisted of the children waving their wands/swords in the air, holding their "Magic Wish" star, making a wish, and then some lights blinked in the room. We were a little disappointed with the ceremony as they made such a big deal out of it during the announcement: "Look for a big surprise after the children make a wish". The big surprise was the just some lights in the room blinking like stars.
The last time we were at CRT, DD got to see Aurora but this time she was nowhere to be found. She didn't complain, though.
We made visits to the bathroom and then headed out to the park at just around 9 am. At this point, my sister declared that she was going to take her scooter back to the resort to get some rest so the rest of us continued on to our first ride. I had printed out a RideMax schedule just focusing on Fantasyland, Toon Town, and Tomorrowland today. Our first stop was the Peter Pan ride although I hadn't scheduled our first ride until 9:30 but we got done with breakfast quicker than I had anticipated. We located the ride and within an hour, we had gone on Peter Pan, IASW, Snow White and Dumbo. We were a little worried that the twins might be scared by the Snow White ride but they did just fine. While DH, our kids, the twins, my mom and BIL were in line for Dumbo, I went to get fast passes for Winnie the Pooh. The fast pass machines for WtP were not operating properly and after several tries, the CM was able to get a few fast passes for me and then printed out a few extra ones since I needed 10 of them. I headed back to Dumbo and got FIL to climb into the stationary Dumbo replica for a picture. I also got to snap pictures of everyone as they loaded onto Dumbo.
The ride was extremely short and were soon on our way to Toon Town after stopping for autographs and pictures with Donald Duck.
We headed for Goofy's Barnstormer first and Amina decided that she did not want to ride any roller coasters - no matter how small. So, DH and I took Rhys while my mom and BIL took the twins. The girls LOVED it so much that we got off and got right back on again to ride it a second time. I'm amazed because it's past 10 am and besides Dumbo, we have not had to wait more than a minute or two in line for a ride. Mickey's Country House was next which we explored for a bit and then finally met the Mouse himself in the Judges' Tent. We get our first Photopass card here and decide to combine both family's pictures into one Photopass number.
After a very disappointing fast walk-through of Donald's Boat (with NOTHING to do!), we headed to Minnie's Country House which was very cute but there was no character in her backyard in the gazebo. In the past, we had seen Pluto here. It was still quite cold, though.
At this point, we just need to pick up Buzz Lightyear fast passes and are well ahead of schedule being only about 11 am so we take time to ride the Walt Disney Railroad all around the park and back to Toon Town. It was really chilly but the kids enjoyed riding a real steam train. We walk from the train station to Tommorowland and get 10 Buzz Lightyear fastpasses but the stand-by line is only 10 minute so we get in line and enjoy Buzz a little early. Hands down, the winner of this round was DH whose score was over 70,000. I only scored about 12,000. We would surely have to do a rematch later in the afternoon. We're still a bit early for lunch so the group splits up with Mimi, Papa, and my mom taking all the kids on TTA while DH, BIL, and I go to Space Mountain. The stand by line is only 20 minutes.
It's noon and we decide to get some lunch. I had checked the menus and wanted to give the Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station a try but as we find it, it's completely deserted and the sign says "closed". I had no idea that this counter service would be closed so we quickly decided to eat at Cosmic Ray's which proved to be quite busy. The counter service restaurant was divided into 3 "bays": chicken, burgers, and sandwiches. MIL/FIL, DS, and I decide to have chicken and ribs while DH, DD, and my BIL decide on sandwiches. We decide that 2 chicken/rib combos would be more than enough food for the 4 of us along with a brownie and a carrot cake. Not only was the food enough - it was STILL way too much.
Finding a table was very difficult and the 6 of us squeezed all around one tiny round table down in the lounge. I helped BIL find a table for himself, the twins, and my mom - but nowhere near our table. DH had ordered a turkey wrap and we all shared. The ribs were absolutely delicious and the rotisserie chicken was quite good as well. I didn't care much for the carrots, but the mashed potatoes were quite good.
We finish up lunch and head out to Mickey's Philharmagic which my kids enjoyed but my twin nieces were too scared to put on the 3D glasses. We divert to Cindy's Carrousel because the twins insisted on riding it otherwise my kids are no longer interested in a carrousel. We use our Winnie the Pooh fastpasses and then spend about 25 minutes in line for the Indy Speedway which is the longest wait in line so far this day. Nobody is interested in the Astro Orbiter so we skip this ride this time. BIL takes the twins to ride the tea cups while the rest of us ride TTA.
While waiting for BIL to get back from the Tea Cup ride, BIL calls and tells us that they are waiting to see a preview of the new Monsters' Inc Comedy Club show. We hurry over to the theater and are also invited in. The first room is the "holding chamber" with monitors much like the preview area for Stitch's Great Escape but nothing is playing on the monitors. We enter the theater and the first noticeable problem is that the chairs are TERRIBLY uncomfortable. My toes barely touch the floor and the seats are hard plastic. I shifted my weight quite often to restore the circulation to the backs of my legs. I'm reminded not take pics after snapping 2 of them without really thinking about it. Roz introduces the show and Mike Wazowski hosts it. The storyline: they need to fill up their energy canister and can do so with laughter from the audience. The first comic up I don't remember the name of but the sound and lips are out of sync. The jokes are mediocre although DD is laughing hysterically at everything for whatever reason. The second comics (Mac and Cheez?) are better and it becomes obvious that they can interact with the audience just like Turtle Talk with Crush. One man sitting in the middle of the room is the focus of several jokes. Other audience members are picked out seemingly randomly and asked to answer the comics' questions. The last comedian is Mike's nephew, Marty Wazowski who I thought was the funniest. He was a "monster child" and had wittier lines and more audience interaction. After the show as over, the CM asks us a series of questions and by a show of hands, were asked about each comedian and if we though they were really funny, so-so, etc. As a reward for previewing the show, were were given fastpasses good for one MK ride to be used before Feb 2007. It was really kinda cool being able to preview this new attraction before it had actually opened.
After the show, we ride Buzz Lightyear again and this time I do much better scoring over 74000 points but DH scores over 90,000 and BIL actually scores over 1/2 a million! We have no idea how he did that. We see Stitch and get his autograph and pics then head over to see Buzz Lightyear who, instead of signing autograph books, has a stamp with which to sign books. We then board the Carousel of Progress which was a nice break and we got to warm up a bit. I think the highest temp this afternoon hasn't gone much above the mid-50's and we are all wearing jackets and gloves. We still have an hour to kill before the fireworks so we head over to Main Street and DS really really wants ice cream. Yikes! It's so cold outside but I can't talk him out of it. DD gets rainbow sherbet while DS gets Chocolate Cookie dough. Meanwhile, DH and the others go next door to the Bakery for coffee and hot chocolate. We find an empty table outside and leisurely sip on our drinks. MIL brings out the biscotti from breakfast which are great with hot chocolate. While finishing up our drinks, DS falls asleep on my lap as I sit on the ground.
We move towards the central hub to watch the fireworks and I'm amazed that there doesn't seem like there are many people waiting for the fireworks. We stand just south of the Disney/Mickey statue and have a wonderful view of the castle, the fireworks, and see Tinker Bell float by. The fireworks are gorgeous, as usual, and the music/narration brings tears to my eyes. DS is very tired and cold and I hold him on my hip for most of the fireworks. Near the end of the fireworks, he matter-of-factly says: "Boy, now someone needs to get up there and dust off the sky". LOL.
We fight the crowds to get out of the park and head to bus station #2 and waited about 10 minutes for our bus to arrive. We didn't bother with our 5 pm ressie at Crystal Palace (the one that had been rescheduled by Disney from 1845) and decide to eat at SSRS instead but the twins are tired and one is completely asleep so BIL and my mom head back to the villa while the rest of us decide to check out the Turf Club bar and grill. The wait for the 6 of us is only 20-30 minutes without a ressie but well worth it. Hot tea was perfect on this chilly chilly night. The crab cakes were served with 3 different sauces and we all tried out each others' appetizers including FIL's calamari - some of the best that he says he's had, and DH's onion rings with 3 sauces as well.
We have plenty of crab cakes and calamari to take back to my sis/BIL. DH and FIL have the steak while MIL has the pasta. My spare ribs arrive and are quite good but DS is fading fast and barely able to keep his eyes open. It's already past 8 pm so I have DH order some apple pie for me and I take DS back to the resort, drop food off for my sister/BIL/mom, and get DS in bed. He's out like a light. I jump in the shower immediately mostly because of a run in with a bird while sitting on a bench under a tree. Yuck. The hot shower feels great after being out in the chilly air all day.
Soon, DH and the rest of the family get back with dessert and DD gets off to bed. More food for my sister/BIL/mom - pasta and steak. We go over plans for tomorrow and call it a night. Thank goodness we don't have plans until after 10 am tomorrow at Animal Kingdom so we can all sleep in a bit. I have to remember to get the tickets for the Hoop Dee Doo Revue from Concierge and BIL will need to get his park hopper pass fixed as it didn't want to work this morning and he was issued a temporary ticket. We all get to bed before 10:30 pm and are exhausted after a wonderful first full day, but, again, I wake up at around 2 am to hear DS retching by my door. I jump out of bed like a slingshot, see DS standing near the kitchen, and quickly grab the silver mixing bowl I had tossed on his bed before I went to sleep. I shoved the bowl under his mouth just in the nick of time as he vomited into the bowl. After rinsing his mouth out and cleaning up the bowl, we both get back in bed. DS had been fine all day long and ate like a horse so I'm totally puzzled why he has thrown up 2 nights in a row.
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