Let me start by saying who the players were. My DD (8), DS (3), DH, and myself. I actually purchased one Disney Trip travel planning guide (PP) and used it along with information found on this forum (Disboards.com) and other on-line sources. Based on what I learned from the message boards, travel guide, friends, and other sources, I put together this itinerary which allowed us to visit Magic Kingdom the most, while simultaneously visiting the other parks at least twice. DH felt it was a very ambitious itinerary; however, it became rather manageable due to a great deal of advanced planning. It was not our intention to try to 'fit it all in' on this trip (and impossibility at WDW); but rather to get a ‘taste of the World’ if you wish (pun intended). I hope next time we can have a longer visit to Walt Disney World. That way we could do the things we missed.
Day 1, Monday 6/29/09: Our good friend, K.M., drove us to the airport super early that morning. Our nonstop flight arrived in Orlando right on time. It was a hot sunny summer day in Florida. We took the Magical Express shuttle from Orlando Airport to the Wilderness Lodge Resort in Magic Kingdom. It was a quick 35min. ride. We checked in at the front desk and got our Keys to the World; however, our room wasn’t quite ready, so we decided to explore the Wilderness Lodge resort. This is a wonderful resort that has a lot to offer families, especially those with young kids. It is absolutely beautiful! The lobby area alone is worth a thousand words. No picture can truly do it justice. We went outside to the pool area. DS and I sat by the pool while DD and DH went for a dip in the pool. I had packed our swimwear in the carryon luggage (just in case). Shortly after 11am we were notified the room was ready. Ours was a Woods View room, Room#6022. It was located on the north side of the resort overlooking the pond. This room was on the 6th floor and had an enclosed balcony which was perfect for us. Our luggage arrived in our room shortly after DS fell asleep (he had been up since 4am!). DD went back down to the pool with DH. Afterwards, we all took showers, got changed and took a short, pleasant boat ride to Magic Kingdom. Shortly after entering the park we watched the “Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade.” We stopped at a gift shop to get an official WDW autograph book. We knew it was going to get lots of use during this trip. We had 4pm dinner reservations at Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom. The experience was everything we had expected and more. Dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table was the ideal way to start our children’s First Visit celebration. We were treated like royalty. After meeting and greeting Cinderella we were escorted upstairs to the royal dining hall. Our table was next to a large beautiful stained glass window with views of the park. We could see Fantasyland and Dumbo from where we sat. The food at Cinderella’s Royal Table was excellent, as was the lovely floor show with Cinderella’s Mice and the Fairy Godmother. DD got a wand and DS got a sword. DD got a special dessert treat, Cinderella’s Royal Chocolate Slipper (which I had ordered in advance). The Chef wrote “Princess [Her Name]” and “First Visit” on her plate with chocolate. It was a fantastic dining experience. After dinner, we made it a point to ride the Walt Disney World Railroad around the park once. On the second round, we got off at Fantasyland; then went on the Mad Tea Party, Dumbo, and Buzz Lightyear rides. The children thoroughly enjoyed these rides. We also visited Minnie’s Country House and Ariel’s Grotto. Between rides we walked around Magic Kingdom taking it all in. At 9pm we enjoyed Spectromagic and at 10pm we watched Wishes fireworks in front of Cinderella’s Castle. We stood directly underneath Tinker Bell’s flight. Both experiences left us in awe. :sohappy: On the boat ride back to the Wilderness Lodge we saw the Electric Water Pageant. Upon entering our room we discovered a Donald Duck white chocolate dessert, a beach bucket and pale with a Mickey Mouse chocolate covered Rice Krispies bar on a stick, two Mickey Mouse shaped straws, and a gorgeous and very large Walt Disney World canvas gift bag filled with all sorts of goodies, including fresh fruits and two Mickey and Minnie plush toys. Even though we were exhausted we couldn’t help but admire the lovely gifts and partake of a few of the treats. We were very tired but extremely happy to be together in Magic Kingdom at the Wilderness Lodge.
Day 1, Monday 6/29/09: Our good friend, K.M., drove us to the airport super early that morning. Our nonstop flight arrived in Orlando right on time. It was a hot sunny summer day in Florida. We took the Magical Express shuttle from Orlando Airport to the Wilderness Lodge Resort in Magic Kingdom. It was a quick 35min. ride. We checked in at the front desk and got our Keys to the World; however, our room wasn’t quite ready, so we decided to explore the Wilderness Lodge resort. This is a wonderful resort that has a lot to offer families, especially those with young kids. It is absolutely beautiful! The lobby area alone is worth a thousand words. No picture can truly do it justice. We went outside to the pool area. DS and I sat by the pool while DD and DH went for a dip in the pool. I had packed our swimwear in the carryon luggage (just in case). Shortly after 11am we were notified the room was ready. Ours was a Woods View room, Room#6022. It was located on the north side of the resort overlooking the pond. This room was on the 6th floor and had an enclosed balcony which was perfect for us. Our luggage arrived in our room shortly after DS fell asleep (he had been up since 4am!). DD went back down to the pool with DH. Afterwards, we all took showers, got changed and took a short, pleasant boat ride to Magic Kingdom. Shortly after entering the park we watched the “Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade.” We stopped at a gift shop to get an official WDW autograph book. We knew it was going to get lots of use during this trip. We had 4pm dinner reservations at Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom. The experience was everything we had expected and more. Dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table was the ideal way to start our children’s First Visit celebration. We were treated like royalty. After meeting and greeting Cinderella we were escorted upstairs to the royal dining hall. Our table was next to a large beautiful stained glass window with views of the park. We could see Fantasyland and Dumbo from where we sat. The food at Cinderella’s Royal Table was excellent, as was the lovely floor show with Cinderella’s Mice and the Fairy Godmother. DD got a wand and DS got a sword. DD got a special dessert treat, Cinderella’s Royal Chocolate Slipper (which I had ordered in advance). The Chef wrote “Princess [Her Name]” and “First Visit” on her plate with chocolate. It was a fantastic dining experience. After dinner, we made it a point to ride the Walt Disney World Railroad around the park once. On the second round, we got off at Fantasyland; then went on the Mad Tea Party, Dumbo, and Buzz Lightyear rides. The children thoroughly enjoyed these rides. We also visited Minnie’s Country House and Ariel’s Grotto. Between rides we walked around Magic Kingdom taking it all in. At 9pm we enjoyed Spectromagic and at 10pm we watched Wishes fireworks in front of Cinderella’s Castle. We stood directly underneath Tinker Bell’s flight. Both experiences left us in awe. :sohappy: On the boat ride back to the Wilderness Lodge we saw the Electric Water Pageant. Upon entering our room we discovered a Donald Duck white chocolate dessert, a beach bucket and pale with a Mickey Mouse chocolate covered Rice Krispies bar on a stick, two Mickey Mouse shaped straws, and a gorgeous and very large Walt Disney World canvas gift bag filled with all sorts of goodies, including fresh fruits and two Mickey and Minnie plush toys. Even though we were exhausted we couldn’t help but admire the lovely gifts and partake of a few of the treats. We were very tired but extremely happy to be together in Magic Kingdom at the Wilderness Lodge.
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lol