Disney, Day 4 (Magic Kingdom)

(Confused? Check out Disney Day 1)

 The Heart of WDW
Saturday was our big day in the Magic Kingdom -- the boys' favorite because it has the most "rides." It was the first day we saw some sun alternating with the clouds, and it was the only day we encountered some lines. We especially loved...

Daddy: Thunder Mtn, Pirates of the Caribbean (POTC), and Buzz Lightyear Spin
Mommy: Monsters Inc Laugh Floor, Under the Sea
6-yr-old: Thunder Mtn, POTC
4-yr-old: Buzz Lightyear's Spin*

*It's hard to get a straight answer from Aaron about his favorites, since he doesn't separate the various parks, he tends to tell whatever he did most recently, or he repeats what Noah says. In fact, my neighbor asked him today what his favorite thing was at Disney World, and he said, "Eating!" Then he turned to me and said, "We ate at Disney World, right? Because I was so hungry (rubbing his belly)!" That said, he enjoyed everything he did -- all of which he still refers to at various, random times. (He didn't attempt Thunder Mtn or the Haunted Mansion, which Noah loved.)

A few highlights...

Astro-Orbiter: I'm a sucker for high, smooth rides with a view.

Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid

Two full days later, on the way home from the airport, Aaron piped up with, "How did Ariel get her voice back?" Someone was paying attention! (He is our silent processor. He may give you an instant answer, but it's often just to please you and thus meaningless. Once he's had a chance to mull something over, he comes up with great questions or answers -- minutes, hours, or days later.)

POTC was Noah's favorite last year, and he has spent the 12 months since dissecting it, asking me questions such as, "How did the mermaid get up on the beach before she died?" Meanwhile, Aaron soaked it all in with tentative curiosity, immediately followed by pride at his ability to now speak

See the golden-handled sword sticking out his back?
Ready at a moment's notice.

Noah's POTC language. We also caught the Jack Sparrow live show outside the ride, but the real post-show highlight which continues to entertain? The Gift Shop. The boys had saved their Christmas money to spend at WDW, so they went in together to buy a Star Wars Lego book in HS and weaponry at the POTC shop. Considering how often they are seen carrying these items around our house, I'd say they were good choices.

When we told Aaron (at Christmas) that we would be going back to WDW, he started talking about the "carpet that flies." It took me a few seconds to realize he was describing this ride! To him, it seems to represent WDW, so he wasn't sure we were actually in WDW until Saturday, when we finally rode the magic carpets.

Tomorrowland Speedway: Too bad teaching them to drive someday is not likely to be this fun.

We happened onto a character parade mid-afternoon, and I love this moment where Aaron and Mickey are waving to each other...

Then I took Aaron to Peter Pan and the Carousel...

...while Josh and Noah hit Thunder Mountain and the Haunted Mansion.

Thunder Mountain Railroad and Noah describing the twists and turns

Our last Family Movie Night before the trip was "Swiss Family Robinson" (or the first 1/2 of it). When we got to the full-size re-creation of their treehouse, I couldn't help feeling like we might be the only ones appreciating it. So go watch the movie! Right now! It's really great (though the end was a bit violent in my opinion = the boys loved it).

I took the boys through "Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin" first thing that morning, and as we walked through the mostly empty queue, Aaron spotted the robot/hologram-faced Buzz below middle. He started waving and shouting, "Hi, Buzz Lightyear! Hi! Hi, Buzz Lightyear!" It was the cutest thing I heard all week. So of course we went back later in the day. Twice.

Anyone look competitive here? Oddly enough, our scores improved exponentially through the day, and I don't think we were getting any better. Seems possible even the scores could be rigged to make it the "happiest place on earth." ;)

We ended the day with dinner at Tony's Town Square, where the movie in the lobby, Italian food,  reasonable prices, and prime MK location have made it a favorite for us. Then the Monsters Inc Laugh Floor, which was funny and amazing; I don't know how they make animated characters react to a live audience like that!

In recent years, whenever someone has asked Noah if he has ridden a boat, he brings up the ferry at WDW, which he rode with Papa Denny 3 1/2 years ago. So after the fireworks, we took the ferry back to the parking lot. He was thrilled. The people next to us may not have been, as Aaron brandished his sword and said he needed to use the potty. (FYI, there are no potties on the ferry.)

If you're still with me, bravo! You must really love us a lot. Last park: Disney, Day 5 (Epcot)