The day started with a breakfast buffet at the restaurant in the campground. While Terry purchased his tickets for the parks, Lexi and I browsed a kiosk that had minimal souvenirs. In trips past, I have seen people with pins on lanyards adorned with pins all over the place so I inquired what the big deal was. The Cast Member informed me that you can purchase a starter kit which comes with four pins (two sets of identicals) and if you see a Cast Member (that’s what Disney calls their employees) with a pin you want, you can trade with them. We purchased the starter kit that had a pink lanyard with outlines of glass slippers and pixy dust, and had princess pins on it. Lexi loved it but I don’t think at first she understood the concept behind it.
We then caught the ferry over to the Magic Kingdom for another day of fun. Remembering a tip that Barbara, Dennis, and Faron learned on the last trip when they took the Keys to the Kingdom tour that the majority of the crowd goes down Main Street USA and heads to the right side of the park, we decided to head left.
We arrived in Adventurland first, grabbed a Fast Pass ticket for the Jungle Cruise, then hopped on over to the Magic Carpets of Aladdin – a ride very similar to Dumbo.
We spotted the first Cast Member with pins, and explained to Lexi that if she wanted one of his pins, she could trade. She spotted his Ariel pin and promptly traded for it. At that moment a trading junky was born. We then got on the ride and Lexi was thrilled to be “soaring, tumbling, free-wheeling” and seeing the city of Agrabah (the town in the movie Aladdin) “shining, shimmering, splendid” from way up high.
(Lexi flying our magic carpet)
When we landed, it wasn’t our time for the Jungle Cruise yet, so we hopped over to visit Iago and Zazoo (birds from the movies Aladdin and The Lion King respectively) in the Tiki Room. Lexi danced and jiggled to the beat of the animated birds and Tiki Gods. Then, we finally boarded our cruise through the jungles of Africa, Asia, and others while our guide told some pretty terrible jokes as per the guides’ usual on this attraction.
We then rode the Pirates of the Caribbean which has been refurbished to include the images of Jack Sparrow from the recent movies. Lexi was scared because of the dark, but she did enjoy the "waterslides." In the gift shop at the end of the ride, Lexi picked out a Minnie Mouse toy that was dressed like a pirate princess which Uncle Terry purchased for her. She also picked one out for Abby. We then took a rest and cooled off with a drink. Once sufficiently rested me, Stefan, Lexi, and Grandpa took off for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad which Lexi loved! She is so much more adventurous than I was at her age and I love it. The plan was to go from there to the Haunted Mansion, but it was closed for renovations for the summer. Apparently ghosts are picky folks and like to redecorate from time-to-time.
Disappointed, we proceeded to a Snack Shack for some yummy treats – funnel cake and HUGE ice cream cookies. We happened to be in a perfect spot to watch the daytime parade, so we stayed put and did just that.
Here is a picture of Lexi, her pin trading lanyard, and her pirate Minnie Mouse while we waited for the parade.
Lexi waved elegantly to all the princesses as they passed by. This is something I love to watch. In fact, I end up watching Lexi more than the parade! Now I know what my parents meant when I was little and they would tell me “Someday you’ll understand.” Disney really is best seen through the eyes of a child…more specifically your own child.
After the parade, we went over to Space Mountain. While we were in line, it broke down again. That makes two days in a row! I remembered reading somewhere that if this happens, you can tell a Cast Member and they will give you a Fast Pass ticket to use anytime. This turned out to be true. We scooted over to the Tommorowland Transit Authority and rode the People Mover because I read somewhere else that if you do that while Space Mountain is closed, you can see the attraction lit up and it looks like a giant ball of spaghetti. Unfortunately, this plan was foiled as the ride was operating again. After the People Mover we went back over to Space Mountain to use our Fast Passes and Lexi rode it for the first time. About halfway through the ride, I heard her belly aching like she does when she’s complaining. I thought to myself “Oh no!” But Lexi made it through although I doubt she would want to ride it again anytime soon.
From Space Mountain, we proceeded to the Rose Garden for Story time with Belle from The Beauty and the Beast. This was really cute. Belle had two assistants that randomly pulled people (mostly kids) from the audience to act out parts of her story. Lexi wasn’t chosen, but I think she enjoyed it none the less. When it was over, Lexi jumped up and said, “Ariel’s grotto?” This was the thing she was waiting for all day so we went over there and she got to meet Ariel.
(Before storytime - Stefan, Lexi, me, and Pirate Minnie)
(During storytime)
(Lexi with Ariel)
We headed back to the campground for a quick dinner and then returned to the park where we rode Splash Mountain (yes we got wet).
Then, we watched the Wishes fireworks show, and watched the Spectromagic parade again. While we waited for the parade to begin, Lexi spotted a Cast Member with pins to trade. Lexi decided on a fairy pin of Flora, one of the fairies from Sleeping Beauty. When the Cast Member removed the pin, she explained that it was a special pin that is only available to Cast Members because of the Hidden Mickey on it. We looked at the back of the pin and it said 2 of 4. What a special find!
We finally made it back to the campground at about midnight. Lexi fell asleep on the ferry back to the campground but she claimed she wasn’t sleepy…just thirsty. Whatever!!!
Lexi took a bath and promptly fell asleep followed by Stefan and myself. We were all beat but it was worth it!!!!
Lexi’s favorite things of the day
1) Pin Trading!
2) The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
3) Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
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