It didn’t take long for the bus to arrive at the hotel and we were on our way to the Magic Kingdom. The bus ride was only about ten minutes or so and we arrived shortly after 1230. By this time the security lines and the admission gates were not overly busy so it didn’t take us much time to get our bags inspected and head through the gates.
Upon scanning our bands for the first time, the Mickey head at the gate not only flashed green but purple as well, which prompted a “Welcome Home” greeting from the Cast Member. A nice touch that I don’t recall from our December visit, our first as DVC members.
Our first FP+ window was already open and we wanted to make our way to Pirates before the 120 expiration. Before we could do that, we wanted to get Ella’s guest assistance pass all set up so we jumped in line at City Hall only to be told by the friendly Cast Member working the line that GA was now available by visiting the Chamber of Commerce next door. There was no line at the CoC and within a matter of moments we were all set for the trip and ready to head down Main Street for the first time.
Just as we were about to round the corner near the Emporium, a voice called out “MATT!”. TO say I was confused by this was an understatement. We had literally just arrived and not five minutes into our MK visit someone was calling my name. Even as a familiar face approached I was still completely out of it. It didn’t kick in until I heard “it’s me,
@Tuvalu ”. Kelly and I were both very excited to bump into yet another friend from WDW Magic and we had a great, albeit short, chat before we went our separate ways. We definitely couldn’t head off without taking a photo to commemorate our visit.
WDW 2018 by
Matt Mandrusiak, on Flickr
What a great way to start our Disney trip!
With that, we slowly made our way down Main Street toward the turn to Adventureland. Soaking up the sights and sounds of the best walk in Disney put a smile on all of our faces. And the smells definitely started to make us pretty hungry after the long travel day. I left the group and hurried my way to the Mine Train to get a return time while the rest of the girls made the stroll toward Pirates.
We figured we’d jump on our first ride before grabbing something to eat. Pirates is one of my mom’s favourite Disney rides and the girls have gotten into it now that they know that first drop isn’t so scary. That was something that used to terrify them both! Not a bad attraction to start us off.
WDW 2018 by
Matt Mandrusiak, on Flickr
PhotoPass_Visiting_MK_413085175992 by
Matt Mandrusiak, on Flickr
WDW 2018 by
Matt Mandrusiak, on Flickr
Since we were already in the area, we decided to pick up the perfect treat to satisfy our hunger, a Dole Whip! It was a smoking hot day and the line was huge so we tried out the mobile order option from the MDE app. First time using this feature and I gotta say, it was definitely convenient and a nice time saver. Our Dole whips were up at the counter and ready for us to enjoy in less than five minutes.
WDW 2018 by
Matt Mandrusiak, on Flickr
WDW 2018 by
Matt Mandrusiak, on Flickr
WDW 2018 by
Matt Mandrusiak, on Flickr
Again, sweltering hot outside so we figured we’d jump into the tiki room and eat our treats in the nicely air-conditioned venue. Pirates, Dole Whips and the Tiki Room, definitely a solid start for our first park visit.
With the Dole Whips behind us and the Tiki Room finishing up, our return time for the Mine Train was opening up and Lennon couldn’t wait to get on her favourite ride. Off we went towards Fantasyland. The moms were worried the entire walk as they don’t do well on roller coasters. Constant complaints about neck aches and headaches would be the norm throughout the trip but we convinced them they would be just fine on this one so we all got in the FP+ queue upon our return.
You could tell they were nervous but the ride was a blast…can’t you tell!?
WDW 2018 by
Matt Mandrusiak, on Flickr
WDW 2018 by
Matt Mandrusiak, on Flickr
PhotoPass_Visiting_MK_8261728243 by
Matt Mandrusiak, on Flickr
PhotoPass_Visiting_MK_8261728231 by
Matt Mandrusiak, on Flickr
Since we were in Fantasyland and the kids were on a roller coaster kick, the Barnstormer was our next stop. On our way through the queue you could see some of the construction going on for Tron. I’m super excited about this addition to the park and I ended up getting a backstage look at the construction site when I returned for the Disney Institute course. Looks like it’s going to be pretty impressive once it’s ready to go.
WDW 2018 by
Matt Mandrusiak, on Flickr
I think the moms screamed more on the Barnstormer than the Mine Train!
Because it was so hot the girls were more than happy to jump in the splash park for a bit. Although it did take some coaxing from Kelly at first!
WDW 2018 by
Matt Mandrusiak, on Flickr
WDW 2018 by
Matt Mandrusiak, on Flickr
And Kelly was quick enough to spot our future rides to help us around the park 30 years from now.
WDW 2018 by
Matt Mandrusiak, on Flickr
After the girls were done cooling off in the water, we wandered through the Big Top gift shop and ended up picking up more treats for Kelly and the kids. A cake pop for Lenny, a Halloween rice krispie treat for Ella and a chocolate covered Strawberry for Kelly. All were very happy and so was I as I finished the leftovers that Ella and Lenny couldn’t’.
WDW 2018 by
Matt Mandrusiak, on Flickr
You could see some clouds pushing in and the blue sky was getting darker as we arrived at Winnie the Pooh for our next ride. We bounced through the Hundred Acre Wood and stepped off just as some big thunder and lightning were cracking around. Instead of getting caught in the imminent downpour we quickly hustled to Mickey’s PhilharMagic hoping that the storm would be quick and the show would allow us to miss it all.
PhilharMagic is still the best 3D show on the property in my opinion. From what I could see, Lennon agreed as she was singing and dancing along and reaching out trying to grab all of the effects.
With the wait leading up and then the show itself we were likely indoors for about 20 minutes before heading back outside. It had rained but not very much by the looks of things. I retrieved the stroller and our next plan of attack was to head back down Main Street, hit up the shops and then make our way over to the Wilderness Lodge for our 520 dinner reservation at Whispering Canyon.
As we walked past the castle the skies started to open up and it started raining buckets! We raced into the shops near Casey’s Corner and slowly made our way down towards the Emporium exit. The moms ended up buy ponchos for themselves and the girls (smart call) before leaving the store. Everyone spent quite a bit of time inside but I enjoyed watching the rain under a canopy as Lennon dozed off in the stroller.
WDW 2018 by
Matt Mandrusiak, on Flickr
It was coming down hard but we had to eventually make a move towards the exit or else we would be late for our reservation!
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