We were [again] up early and headed for the fun. This time we were off to the Magic Kingdom. Finally we were going to see Cinderella's castle and Mickey Mouse. We dressed in our best mouse ears and headed out.
Right inside the gate we came across PLUTO. We couldn't believe our luck. Pluto has been Noah's favorite since he was just tiny but we never found him when we were at Disneyland. So we jumped right in line to get our pictures taken. Now, none of us were really sure how this would turn out as Noah doesn't seem to like the giant animals but we were all presently surprised.
He stood right there for his picture and before we left, he even gave Pluto a high-5. Unfortunately, no one had their camera out anymore so we didn't get an actual shot of the two touching. Then we found ourselves in the perfect location to catch the first parade of the day. Fittingly, it was the Thanksgiving Day parade. Since Abe Lincoln (or maybe Harry Truman) the president has been pardoning a turkey before Thanksgiving. Well, this year's lucky recipients, May and Flower, were then sent to Disney World. They were the marshalls of this special parade before being taken to their new forever home at the Animal Kingdom.
Next we boarded the train and headed on back to Toon Town to meet the Mouse himself. Again, we were very impressed by Noah's bravery and Mickey, too, got a high-5 (again no photo coverage).
Then it was time for some playing. Mommy overheard the cutest conversation. Noah was in the playhouse with another boy who had on a giant wrist watch. Noah pointed at it and said, "What is that?" The boy said, "That's my watch." Noah said, "Oh! Cool!" And both boys were off for more fun.
Donald's playground even squirted water, so we got a little wet. (Good thing to remember if we are ever there when it is actually warm.) Over the past few days, Noah had seen several people with their faces painted and said that he wanted to do that. When we came across the place to do it, he did not back down. He picked out the face he wanted and we waited in line. He sat on mommy's lap and let the lady paint his face.
He kept giggling because it was"kind of tickley" and he tried to lick the brushes a couple of times, which the lady didn't like very much.
But we were very proud. And here is what Donald looked like.
Briefly. Until most of it was swiped across mommy's new white t-shirt. Mommy's cousin Amie has been working at Disney World for about a year now. She majored in theatre production and has since gotten in to that department even though she started out driving the safari trucks in the Animal Kingdom. We thought she was going to be in Michigan but found out on Wednesday that she was actually in Florida. My dad called and she came and met us for the morning. She had some staff privileges like free popcorn, so she and Noah were fast friends.
Daddy and Noah then decided to try a roller coaster. We thought Goofy's barnstormer was kind of a kiddie's ride. Turns out it wasn't but noah made the height cutoff so daddy took him. As mommy stood and waited for them to get on the ride, she didn't see anyone else as young as Noah and she kept trying to call daddy's cell phone to tell him to bail, but he didn't answer. However, he didn't answer and they survived. In fact, it was so fun mommy and Noah went back later in the evening. Next we were off to ride Dumbo.
I have to admit this was not the highlight I was hoping it would be. Don't get me wrong, he liked it and all, but it was just another activity. He was a good driver though. Next we hit the Merry. We decided Benjamin was probably ready to try this crazy ride and boy were we right. He has the biggest smile on his face the entire time.
It was probably one of the cutest things of the whole trip. He just looked like such a big boy on his horse, waving and smiling to passers-by.
Next was definitely THE highlight of the trip - It's a Small World. Had we gone on it a second time, our boys would have no doubt passed out from exhaustion. There was more pointing, dancing and squealing than I would have guessed possible. To say they loved it would be an understatement. Grandma claims they liked it because all the people were just their size. Whatever the case, it was great. Next we headed up towards the front to catch the holiday lighting of Cinderella's castle. Cinderella said she wanted it to sparkle like icicles. I think they did a pretty good job.
Next it was daddy and Benjamin's turn to ride Dumbo.
Daddy says he thinks Benjamin enjoyed it although he spent most of the ride watching the center post. Maybe he was afraid he would get dizzy. Lastly, we picked up Benjamin's souvenir before heading up to the front of the park.
We were all set to leave when we stumbled upon the Electric Light parade, so we stayed to watch that before heading out. Noah had worn himself out and we couldn't wake him for anything. Such a bummer too because he would have loved all the lights and music. Oh well. Guess we will just have to take him back again sometime. What a wonderful day spent at the aptly-named happiest place on earth.
Sweet little Benjamin just sat there waiting for Noah to decide what he was going to do.
He told Santa that he wants a bag of animals. (It started out as just a snake. Then a giraffe. Then a lion. So he decided it would probably just be easier if Santa brought him a bag full.) He also informed us that Benjamin wants animals too. (We have our doubts that this is really what Benjamin would like but we cannot prove it.) We met our friend Eric at Santa and got to have dinner with him afterwards at the Rainforest Cafe. (Here they are modeling the reindeer hats they got from Santa.)
Noah was so big that he even shared his dinner with Eric. (Again, Eric didn't really ask for any of Noah's dinner but when it arrived, Noah handed Eric a nugget and some fries. He didn't turn them down. I guess Noah just has a sixth sense about these things.) You just wait - next year, Noah is gonna be right on Santa's lap. I can just feel it.
