Our Day at Disney (Part 2)

After we finished up with Mickey, we went back outside.  It had been raining the whole time we were doing pictures and our stroller was soaking wet.  My Aunt and her family went on a ride to the castle in one of the old fashioned cars that drives around but I was super confused as to what was happening so stayed behind.  We took the kids on yet another break and changed Piper out of her Snow White dress because she was so hot and sweaty, then we went in search of something to drink.  One thing we learned that day was that if you ask for ice water at the little snack carts, they’ll give it to you for free.  So we definitely took advantage of that!

Luckily, we were in the same area as Crystal and so we were able to meet right back up and get in line for the teacups.  I never know how my kids will react to certain rides but this is definitely a new favorite for them.  Calvin loved being able to control the spinning and they immediately wanted to ride it again.  There was pretty much no wait so we got right back in line.

I couldn’t stomach a third ride so we left to find something else.  We were right next to a race car ride (the kind where the car is on that metal track so you’re driving but you have to follow the designated path).  Ethan was hungry and only two people could fit in the cars so JP took Calvin, Crystal and her husband Rob took their kids and I stayed with Piper and Ethan and the strollers.   Being able to sit for a bit after all the walking was a nice break.

After the ride was over, it was just about time for Crystal and her family to head out for their dinner reservation.  We made tentative plans to meet up later in the evening for fireworks and the Electric Light Parade but took pictures just in case we weren’t able to see each other later.

Ethan was so cute when Crystal and I were trying to get a picture, he was so fascinated with her and kept peeking at her and then being shy.

Then they left and we went to find another ride.  We decided to go on the people mover since there was no line and it was something we could all ride together.  That was fun but I do not understand why such a long portion of it is in the dark and why they haven’t changed the recorded thing that plays while you ride it, some of the stuff it was saying we were seeing wasn’t there anymore. 

  The kids had been begging to go on the carousel so we went on that first.  JP didn’t really want to go on so he stayed with Ethan while I took Piper and Calvin.

              

Then we went to Dumbo.  The wait for that ride said 20 minutes but there was no way.....it felt like we were in line forever.  This is another one that JP opted to skip so I had control of two squirmy, antsy, hungry kids and it was NOT FUN.  There were puddles everywhere the Piper and Calvin kept splashing in and the woman in front of us kept giving them dirty looks.  We finally get on the ride and it lasts about 30 seconds.  My kids understandably do not want to get off and can’t seem to understand why they can’t just stay on and ride it again.  Piper refused to leave the seat so I had to pick her up while Calvin is running around all over the platform; everyone was staring at me, Calvin ended up running into the metal fence so both kids were screaming as I was half carrying, half dragging them off the ride and I have never been more embarrassed in my life. 

Luckily I had packed a bag of snacks for the kids so I loaded them up after the ride and they calmed down.  It was about 6pm and JP really wanted to leave to beat the crowds and the traffic.  But I managed to convince him that was a bad idea by reminding him that it was only one day of our life, the kids were having a great time and we hadn’t been in the Haunted Mansion yet.  We looked for some other rides with short lines but were out of luck so just went to the Mansion.   Our kids did surprisingly well, they were so fascinated with everything they were seeing that they forgot to be scared.  

Then I wanted to find another ride but didn’t really know what I was looking for so we just wasted time walking around.  It was starting to get dark so we made our way back to the front of the park to find a spot for the parade.  It was just way too crowded though and I couldn’t handle being around so many people so told JP we could head back to the car.  I texted Crystal to let her know we were on our way out and she texted back that they were pretty exhausted too.

So we hopped on the monorail and made our way back to Epcot.  We got stopped a few times though so by the time we made it back into Epcot, it was just about time for their fireworks display.   That was the strangest thing I’ve ever seen.  I can’t even describe it but it starts off with these super loud explosions and Piper freaked out thinking the princess castle was being blown up.  It took forever to explain to her that the castle and the princesses were fine because they were in another park.

 

Then we made our way back to the car and went home.  As we were hitting the parking lot, JP was talking about how nice it would have been if we were staying at one of the resorts.  We started discussing taking a week vacation to see and do everything and JP said he would love for us to do that!   We made tentative plans to go during Piper’s spring break.....of course, now all that is up in the air because of North Dakota but if we do move and can’t make it next year, then the following year is definitely happening.

All in all, we had a great day.  We didn’t get to see and do everything but we got a nice taste and the kids had a blast so I’d say it was a success.  I wish we had  more time with my Aunt and her family but a crowded theme park probably isn’t the best place to have a reunion.  I know we will see them again and next time we’ll plan for something a little different.  It was great to get the kids together though and I know they all had fun.