In Search of the Purple Cat & Other Wild Goose Chases

HouCuseChickie · Dec 9, 2012

Cassie S. said:
What a great story at BBB! I love how THE Fairy Godmother checked on her Godmother's in training. And Sammie's hairstyle had some WOW factor! I feel Kendall's pain about Minnie's house being gone. My daughter never got to see it and was so upset when we found out it was gone. She loves Minnie and has seen pics of me when I was a little girl in front of Minnie's house. I told her that Minnie was tired of living in that house and wanted to spend more time with the princesses so they built more castles, lol.

It was really exciting to see her in there. I know Kendall remembers bits and pieces of her first BBB experience in 2010, and this was just leaps and bounds better. I actually really loved Sammie's hair, but am thankful that the only color her fairly godmother had was that pinkish/lavender shade. It just worked so much better witht he colors of her dress. I guess at least there's the M&G with Minnie around there, but honestly...what has been put in the place of those houses didn't really do much for us. I know they'll argue that M&Gs and the shopping make more sense, but I'd personally prefer to see the idea redone for the circus theme and have it be Minnie Magnifique's dressing car for the train carring the circus...or something like that. Not quite Minnie's house, but still that idea that you're behind the scenes in one of her places. Oh well- there's at least tons of other things that should make her a happy girl.

HouCuseChickie · Dec 9, 2012

And we're up in the air!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last time we rode Dumbo, we had the sense to sit far enough away from each other that we could take pictures of each other as we flew. Yea- not this time. This is DH and Kendall! Horrible pic of them, but a pretty fine portrait of their Dumbo.

It's also pretty cool to be up in the air spinning while the other Dumbo is going. I only wish we'd made it back over at night to at least see them both going.

The Great Goofini (aka Barnstormer) was on the list as next to ride, but sadly- it was broken down at the time. So, now 2 broken rides for the day and a Sammie who loudly told everyone "I'm really hating all the broken rides!" Ouch.

So, we checked out the Casey Jr. area- which was not something we'd be doing since it was sooooo chilly.

Then it hit me...DH always gripes that I'm the only one who has ridden the railroad. So, we're right there and the station is open...and the train is there...BONUS! So, train ride it is!!!

That's right folks...Lights!

And before you know it, we're pulling into the MSUSA stop...where LOTS of people are waiting to board.

And as they do so...I start noticing all of the little details in Sammie's hair.

I actually had to convince DH that the blonde pieces in the twisted extensions were not Sammie's actual hair and were part of the fake stuff.

One other treat...got to see the Avengers monorail as we waited...

Pretty sweet!

HouCuseChickie · Dec 9, 2012

I remember being really bored and having to wait a while for that time during the MSUSA load. I found myself taking pics of the same lights but at different angles.

At least once we got started up again we'd go by Splash and BTMRR. Since Sammie had measured up in DHS, it was time to see if she wanted to try these rides. We opted to take the railroad all the way around since we had the stroller waiting back on the other side of the park, but at least we knew she was game to try these.

So, I just snapped pics all along the way through that area and back.

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And we're back in the circus again!

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We did at least get a pleasant surprise upon our return...the Great Goofini was now up and running.

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So, we waved good-bye to the train...

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...and quickly made our way up in the queue.

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Sammie was too short to ride this in 2010 and it was closed in 2011, so this was a total first for her. So, naturally...We're #1!!!

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We had been having the girls take turns with riding partners...so, I got to ride in #1 with Sammie, and Kendall was in #2 with DH.

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HouCuseChickie · Dec 9, 2012

So, here's the first of our first row POV shots...

I know...exciting. LOL

OK, this is a little more like it...

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I know it's more of a kiddie coaster, but it's still fun.

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And before ya know it...we're done.

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At least it's pretty easy to spot and follow Sammie...the hair is hard to miss.

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So, DH decides we need to have popcorn. He can smell it...so we just start wandering...trying to find the source of the smell. On the way we see circus styled trash cans...

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...more of Casey Jr. ...

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So, I suggest to him that we try in here...

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While we see some tasty things in here...

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...we are informed that they sell sweet popcorns, but not regular popcorn. So yes, here we find ourselves on another wild goose chase. It seems to be a theme with us! They gave us some directions to the nearest fresh normal popcorn...but it didn't quite make sense to us. So, DH is back to using his nose to try and find the popcorn while considering some of the previously offered directions. I don't know how it happened, but he's walking with the girls and I'm pushing the stroller and when I look up- they're gone! So, here I am with a big red stroller all by myself in Fantasyland. I guess better me than the girls, but now the task of finding them. I'd walk back and forth and back and forth and no sign of them. I tried calling, but it's really hard to hear anything. Thankfully, texts were going through and we were able to find each other...and he was all crabby, but they did find their popcorn.

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HouCuseChickie · Dec 9, 2012

Our FP window for Peter Pan just opened up...so we decide to head that way.

I couldn't help myself though...I just had to get a look at some of the details on the wall for New Fantasyland.

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Sadly, nobody else seemed to care...so time to move forward towards Peter Pan...

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...but since DH and the kids wouldn't let me get more pics at the wall, I stopped to snap this pic after parking the stroller. I just liked seeing the decor for Philharmagic up against the Castle.

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OK, enough stalling...time to use these babies!!! And this is one of my favorite rides, so I'm pretty excited.

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It's funny how in such a big and crowded place you can run into the same people. We get into the FP line for Peter Pan and the family from Syracuse who rode over with us on the bus from YC wound up right behind us on line for Peter Pan.

There was a little bit of a wait, even with the FPs...so DH and Sammie were playing in line...

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...and in no time we were picking our ships and flying away to Neverland!

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This ride goes so fast and I like it so much (and it usually has such a long wait without a FP), that I rarely try to take pics. I was going to go against this and try at first...even started adjusting my manual settings, but then I looked down and saw Nana and thought to myself "no way I'm missing flying over London to try and get pics." So, I didn't!

We made our way back from Neverland and were faced with a decision...Small World? or move on? The girls have this strange relationship with Haunted Mansion, so we decided to move on and make our way to play with the ghosties!

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HouCuseChickie · Dec 9, 2012

If you've seen our previous reports...DH convinced the girls to try HM on their first trip. It was not a good thing. Over the next 8 months, we'd introduce them to more of the park music, they'd become fans of 'Grim Grinning Ghosts,' they'd supposedly understand that the lyrics are saying they're just silly ghosts, etc. And when we surprised them with that trip in Aug 2011, they'd beg to go on and beg to get off about halfway through. I mean, as much as they hated Snow White (DH is still upset that it was taken out), this was SERIOUS! I mean, it was as if they felt that the song tricked them...that those silly ghosties they sing about are a little too scary in person for the lyrics to the song to actually be truthful. Kids.

So, we've had a year and about 3 months between the 2011 trip and the 2012 trip. In that time, the girls have decided again that they love the HM music, love the hitchhiking ghosts and their friends, and can't wait to ride the ride again because they're no longer scared. By Halloween- they were even bragging about to friends and perfect strangers (the music is in my Halloween mix played for trick-or-treaters). Once the girls found out about this trip, they even made it perfectly clear that we had to ride HM at least once and they were no longer scared, but just to make sure...we played in the queue first...

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For the life of me...I don't know why, but they LOVE this cat!

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And they really just wanted to stay here and pop bubbles!

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Sammie also took this part as a true challenge. She really thought she was supposed to be able to keep the books from popping out.

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She was pretty bothered that we wouldn't allow her to try and stop the books, but we moved on and I snapped a few more pics before we headed in.

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HouCuseChickie · Dec 9, 2012

We were first into the room and greeted in proper creepy HM manner...

It was also nice being first in because you get the full dialogue before you're instructed to move to the "dead center" of the room. So, we're finally in and I get to take some horrible pics of the stretching...

And then we're on our way in to wait on the last part of the line. What's funny, the girls are now starting to look like they're having a change of heart. We asked them if they wanted to leave, but no- they want to ride. DH also noted to me that he'd never noticed the body hanging above us in that first room. I chuckled, but it's nice to see him noticing the details...helps keep things fresh when you notice new things each time.

So, I did try to take some lighting pics in here, but it's dark and we're moving a bit...so they weren't the greatest...

And I'm sure it has something to do with my camera settings, but it kind of creeped me out that every pic I took of these lights had these green traces above them in the photos...

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I'd later have it happen outside of HM, so I'm sure there's a perfectly logical photography explanation.

So, we get loaded into our Doombuggy and it's my turn again to ride with Sammie. We don't move more than 20' when everything comes to a screeching halt. Yes, another broken down ride. So, we sit there in our buggy of doom and I take pics of silly Sammie.

I start to hear it again from her about broken rides. We've always had such good luck in the past, but this was kind of ridiculous. Shortly after that, the lights came on and we were told that the ride would be closing down for repairs.

On the plus side, we did get a handful of these on the way out...

While still a bit creeped out, the girls wanted to ride HM...so we promised to return later or at the worst, on Tuesday.[/url]

HouCuseChickie · Dec 9, 2012

The girls were still acting a bit creeped out, so I suggested we go for the 'Happiest Cruise that Ever Sailed.'

Now, I've said it before and I'll say it again...I LOVE THIS RIDE. Proud to admit it. Nothing creepy or cheesy here IMO. I'd find out that my spouse does not share this feeling.

The line was relatively short. The girls eyed the $ down below and reprimanded a boy who was trying to come up with a way to get to some of it.

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And before you know it...it's time to set sail!

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Good-bye pretty queue.

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I don't know what was wrong, but for the life of me...I could not get a decent pic in Small World this time. I usually come out with a handful of decent things. So, I just had to be happy with what I did get.

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Now, not so much a breakdown, but we all know that this ride is more prone to "log jams." Well, I take whatever this was as a combo log jam/breakdown. We were pretty much bumper to bumper going into that last section...and this was how DH felt about it.

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I was just having fun taking TONS of bad pictures...

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...he on the other hand confided in me, and most of the people around us in our boat that he really dislikes this ride. Hates the song...thinks it's creepy...etc. It actually sparked this big discussion...I mean, it took us a good 15 min to get through that last scene...so why not? It kept Sammie from talking about broken rides, and we all found out that the kids are with me...yea, it's a good ride to them too.

We finally neared the exit...

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...and I guess DH was at least happy.

One other good thing came out of this...Sammie wants a Small World themed cake!!! I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to do a Small World cake![/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url]

HouCuseChickie · Dec 9, 2012

We really hadn't eaten anything but popcorn up until this point, so I suggested we stop for a bite to eat. We had a very early dinner ADR at Crystal Palace and I didn't want to ruin appetites, but they needed a little more food in their tummies. So where did we stop?

Need help?

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DH and I shared a chicken Caesar wrap, fries and a chocolate cake, while the girls shared a burger...

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The CMs at the counter also saw the birthday buttons and gave the girls double cookies...

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The wrap was huge and pretty tasty. We are not big QS people, but considering how many credits we had left at the end...we really didn't need to split meals like this. I guess it's at least good to know that the portions are huge for times when we don't have DDP and just want to order based on how much food we "need" vs. what is "provided in the plan."

And it wouldn't be a meal without another picture of a lighting fixture!

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After lunch, it was time to introduce Sammie to the two mountains she's now tall enough to conquer.

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Splash would be first and Thunder second...

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It was cool enough that Splash had next to no wait time so it was the no brainer first choice while fastpassing Thunder- which had a HUGE wait.

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Kendall was trying to prep Sammie for the ride as we waited.

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And here's our awful pic...

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DH made fun of me because he said it looked like I was hiding in the log out of fear! I think not! And the other plus, Sammie LOVED it![/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url][/url]

HouCuseChickie · Dec 9, 2012

Thankfully, we didn't have a big (or any) splash on Splash, because I had my camera with me and I forgot to bring my bag to protect it. I had it creatively tucked the whole time just in case.

We made our way to the next mountain, and wouldn't you know it...our crazy train is pulling into the station.

And before ya know it, we are on our way up...

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Love the view...

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Waving hi to the Castle...

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...and the other crazy train heading towards us...

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They forgot to mention that this would also be a wildlife expedition...

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I also got a kick out of reminding Kendall about her first ride on this last year and how she was quite alarmed to find out that nobody was driving this train. She was quick to point out "And there's still nobody driving it? What is wrong with them?!?!!?!?"

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This wound up being Sammie's fave ride of the trip...sooooo glad she was having fun with this stuff!

It was time to head back to the stroller parking in the area, snap a pic or two...

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And then move on to our next destination...

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HouCuseChickie · Dec 10, 2012

OK...my goal this afternoon is make it to our break after our early dinner...so I can watch MNF tonight!

So, when I left off we were getting in line for PotC. I have not had to wait more than 10 min for this ride since the 80s, but today all that would change. I don't remember what the estimated wait time was, but it was longer than I would have liked. So, what does a girl do in a long line????

Yeah- she takes pictures of lights!

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See....I wasn't kidding...LOTS of lights!

Thankfully, there was a very sweet woman in line with us from West Virginia and we had a really nice talk about our various WDW trips. I think she probably wondered why I was taking all of these pictures...I mean, I explained that I was going to do a trip report...but I did start feeling a tad strange after the 20th or so pic (yeah, this was only a sample of the light pics...didn't even put all of them in my set).

The line moved really REALLY slowly. We didn't know why until we got up front. I guess the ride kept having issues...and wouldn't you know it...we load onto a boat, go maybe about 30-40 feet, and BAM- the ride breaks down. We sat there on the boat for a LONG time...and when we finally did start moving we just moved into a line boats jammed up in the ride. It was literally like this until the drop. Yup- total day of broken rides. Sadness, but at least we were on PotC and not being evacuated.

They are quite dark, but I did at least try and take a few pics in there.

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(and blurry)

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After we got off, it was time to make good on something that didn't happen last visit. Some of you may recall that we missed the Tiki Room soft opening on our last trip by just a few tiny hours. I was sooooo upset, but we wouldn't miss it this time.

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We had some thick crowds to get through, but we were going to see those Tiki birds - darn it!

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And the girlies still love the Tiki Room music...so, clearly I've got a very happy Kendall here.

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Sammie is happy too, but she's on a mission to get in there.

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HouCuseChickie · Dec 10, 2012

So, this guy may be looking kind of angry...

...but we were pretty happy to be standing there waiting on the pre-show.

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I was not at the best angle, but the pre-show started pretty quickly and I was at least amused.

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Got a slightly better shot as we're heading in...

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It was all very surreal to me, but soooooo happy to be back in the Tiki Room. Also a plus...got us a seat right near Jose...not that it makes a huge difference, but I like being over there since he's the first bird that wakes up and he kind plays ring leader.

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Shortly after, the other birdies are waking up and getting ready to start the show...

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I was surprised at how many people that were in there, but it didn't stop us from dancing a bit in our seats as the music started up. I'd later overhear someone telling their wife that we actually knew the words. Just struck me as funny.

So, now on with the rest of the show...

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Not the easiest thing to photograph either...

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These guys totally cracked me up!

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I think we've angered somebody or something...

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Sad...it's almost over...

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Bye Bye Jose...

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On the way out...waved hi to Orange Bird...

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HouCuseChickie · Dec 10, 2012

We had considered a ride on a magic carpet...

...but the line was insane and even the girls were like "Well, we already rode Dumbo, so it's OK." Smart girls!

So, we opted for something I haven't done in ages that DH has been begging to do...

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I went kind of nuts taking pics on this...just because I'm a sucker for lush greenery and scenic views.

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And I had to take a momentary break from greenery and scenery...because it's a light!

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OK, back to the green...

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I guess there are also contraptions....

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Climbing higher...

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more green...

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HouCuseChickie · Dec 10, 2012

more contraptions....

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Civilization?

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There are also some really nice views up here....

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Praying there are no spiders hiding up there...

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Time to start heading down...

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The scenic views are now closer to the ground...and I can see that pesky camel. He'll be an issue in just a little bit....

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Dinner anyone???

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More plant life on the way out...

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HouCuseChickie · Dec 10, 2012

We leave the tree house and all of sudden DH and Sammie are raising a big fuss about Sammie getting spit on...and I'm thinking...how did I miss this? Apparently, the camel nailed Sammie in the face and even DH got some of the splash from it.

So, I went back to taking pics of lights...shocker...

It was at this point that DH said we'd make good on our promise to get the girls balloons. Sammie, wanted to make a train so that nobody got left behind again...

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This all worked for a bit, but with the parade crowd forming...Sammie and I lost DH in the crowd. I just love how he can be oblivious to all of this.

We made it all the way down to the end of MSUSA and went to 3 different balloon vendors looking for him.

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I finally got a text from him...all bothered that we "ran off." Ummm...no, ya left us in your dust and left us searching frantically for you guys. His directions to find them weren't great either, so I at least knew what kind of balloon Kendall wanted and just kept looking for a lone one of those...

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Then DH got all upset because I didn't buy Sammie a balloon, but he was in charge of all of the cash things for this trip! So, he got Sams her balloon as well.

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I have ALWAYS wanted a balloon like Sammie's - so I was pleased with her choice. I'm also happy to say that while one ear has deflated, it's been over 3 weeks and that balloon is still floating in my dining room! The princess balloon is about ready to hit the floor though.

We were nearing parade time and we had a pretty decent spot, so we decided to just stay there. First we watched the band...

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DH saw this as we waited and asked me for the 5th time if I remembered to put a hold on the mail...

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I was tempted to ask DH for a balloon of my very own...

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...but after getting smacked in the face a good 30x -so far- I decided we had enough balloons.

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We also got quite a show from this CM...he had pulled this boy out of the crowd and was giving him all kinds of special treats with lots of fanfare.

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Other than that...it was pretty much hanging out and taking pics while we waited...

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HouCuseChickie · Dec 10, 2012

I also started taking pics of the names in windows at this point...

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The parade was now about to begin...and all of the jokes about "When's the 3 o'clock parade?" started to subside. While we had a good spot, a nice couple sitting right on the street offered to squeeze closer so that the girls could sit on the curb with them. Very sweet!

And so it begins...

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We also got a little visit from the 'munks...

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HouCuseChickie · Dec 10, 2012

And the parade continues...

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Hmmmm....I've never counted before...

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I wish they had her out in the parks more...she's big fun!

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Alice isn't far behind...

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Now, I don't know about you guys, but I LOVE this spinny thing...

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And it has my favorite purple cat!

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HouCuseChickie · Dec 10, 2012

Spotted a familiar face...

And I got kind of misty here because she's talking to Kendall from the float. K may be dressed as Merida, but Belle is still #1.

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The parade is now over and we've got about 20-25 min until our early dinner ADR, so we head towards Crystal Palace.

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It doesn't take long to get through the crowd and check in...

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Of course, the wait takes FOREVER and this one is in need of some serious entertainment to keep this from becoming a disaster.

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I guess we are at least good at being creative with next to nothing. We invented this silly game involving a times guide. I couldn't tell you how it's played, but it keeps kids from losing it when your ADR wait is long and it's coinciding with what could be their cranky hour.

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At least she seems to enjoy this game...

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...and I start taking pics of lights again...

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And now both girls are playing the game....

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HouCuseChickie · Dec 10, 2012

Our buzzer eventually went off and it was time to be seated. We had some Mickey confetti on our table and Kendall immediately started doing what we did with them last summer...

...yup, wearing them!

Pooh was at our table before we even got a chance to really settle in...

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DH hit the buffet with Sammie, but Kendall and I had to lag behind to wait for the chef. So, I took pics while we waited.

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We also had a pink porcine visitor while we waited...

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We got the green light from the chef and hit the buffet...

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The chef also brought us some safe cookies for Kendall and had some safe nut free and gluten free chocolate brownie/cake in the back for later on...

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At least Kendall saved me some confetti...

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HouCuseChickie · Dec 10, 2012

We then stopped for a moment because Eeyore had come by...

Eeyore was quickly followed up by Tigger, who pretty much smothered the girls...

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...which is fine because they'll breath again once they start bouncing with him.

See, they're getting air...

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I just don't think Tiggers understand how much Kendalls bounce!

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Pooh also came back and was very happy to hear that he's Sammie's favorite and that we like hunny too.

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They are just WAY too excited...

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Thankfully, Piglet also came back since Sammie missed him on the first pass...

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Kendall's special "brownie" came out...

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We thought it was good, but she was being little miss picky at the moment. GRRRRRR

Sammie also got a little birthday cupcake...

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Make a wish!

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