1994 Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom (3/17-18/1994)

Thursday, March 17, 1994

Work, errands, Brynne’s dance class, then met Kent at home. Drove to Thrifty to drop off the car and take the shuttle to the airport. We checked in, checking one bag and a car seat box for the 18:01 flight to Raleigh-Durham. On the flight we had the vegetarian snack of pasta salad with zucchini and yellow squash, apple, and a fruit bar cookie. Brynne did not want her sliced turkey sandwich or chocolate chip cookie. We ended up taking most of the food with us. Arrived about 19:55 and went to wait for the 20:30 flight to Orlando. Brynne and Kent had frozen yogurt when the flight was delayed 25 minutes. When we finally boarded, we were in the last row of seats! Beverages and pretzels. Arrived in Orlando 20 minutes late at 22:30. David and Debbie were there to meet us. Debbie is expecting a baby! It was a long drive to Dave and Debbie’s house in Winter Springs. A model home with three bedrooms and a two-car garage. The best of appliances! The Ws were there, having arrived at 21:30. It was now 23:30, and we quickly unpacked and went to bed.

Friday, March 18, 1994

One by one the adults got up, but the kids slept on. David turned on the NASA channel, keeping tabs on the space shuttle that was returning to Cape Canaveral today. In 15 minutes it came from being over the Pacific Ocean to landing. As it flew near us, there was a muffled boom and the house shuddered from the sonic boom as the shuttle raced by. We could not see it outside, even though Cape Canaveral is about an hour or so away. That was about 8:00. We wanted to leave as early as possible, but did not get on the road until 9:00. It took about 45 minutes to get from Winter Springs, through Winter Park, past Orlando to Lake Buena Vista and Disney World, and the Magic Kingdom parking lot. Still plenty of parking although there were so many cars already! Obviously a huge capacity, but not full today. We parked in Daisy row 30.

We boarded the first “ride,” the parking lot tram, which took us to the Transportation and Ticket Center. We had tickets, but were told to sign our 5-day Super Passes. Now I wish I had bought 2-3 passes and punched a new one each day on this trip, and the rest of each pass would have no expiration date! I read a guidebook on the plane and learned of a few hints, but as it turned out, not all the recommendations were correct! Our second ride was the monorail to enter the Magic Kingdom. Attendants of the monorail were wearing bellboy-type hats. We joined the crowd entering the gates and received a map. I bought autograph books as the Ws rented a stroller that came in handy for carrying our backpacks, and for tired little girls. We even found a way they both could ride in the stroller at the same time. We headed down Main Street, past horse-drawn trolleys and all manner of shops. We headed through Cinderella Castle to Fantasyland, but were sidetracked by a Mickey in a tuxedo and cape who was posing for commercial photos.

Mickey Mouse in tuxedo and cape

Cinderella's Castle

Through the castle with the Cinderella mosaics. The first stop, and third ride, was the Carousel. Kathy and I took Leah and Brynne through the long line and almost were separated when they stopped us for the next turn. But because we were one party, they let us all in! Plenty of horses available.

Tamiko with Brynne on the Cinderella's Golden carousel

Workers keep the park clean; also note line-up of strollers

Skyway gondolas over Fantasyland

Kent and Mike took them on the Dumbo ride (#4), and they did get separated as it was only two per Dumbo.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant Ride

While they were waiting in line, I went to get information about reserving for Breakfast with Minnie. The phones were all busy, so I did not get through then.

Kent and Brynne on the Dumbo ride

We purposely skipped Snow White’s Adventure as being too scary and went to the Mad Tea Party. Mike and I took the girls this time. They like the Dumbo ride because they could control the up and down, and the Tea Cups (#5) because they (or Uncle Mike!) could control the spin.

Mad Tea Party Ride: watch the top of the teapot...

... the Dormouse!

Leah and Brynne get ready to spin

Brynne at Mickey Starland

Next to the show at Mickey’s Starland, first passing through Mickey’s house. The show (#1) with Disney Afternoon characters from Darkwing Duck, Tailspin, Goof Troop, and Bonkers, and a peppy young girl announcer. Song, dance, and action!

Mickey Starland Show

From the show we joined the line at Mickey’s Hollywood Theater, to meet him backstage. A few groups were ushered in at a time for autographs and a photo!

Brynne and Kent with Mickey Mouse

Back outside, we realized several characters had gathered to give autographs. Brynne was more anxious to get autographs, and Leah was more anxious around the life-size characters.

Tigger signs Brynne's autograph book

Tigger and Brynne

Chip and Brynne

Minnie had the longest line, and she took a break in the middle of our waiting!

Minnie and Brynne

Dale and Brynne

Perla, from Cinderella, and Brynne

After a few autographs, hunger set in. We went to have lunch next to Mr Toad’s Wild ride. Nice chicken sandwiches, chicken nuggets, fruit salad, iced tea and fruit juice. We skipped 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea because we would be going to SeaWorld. Show #2 was watching a little of a magic show by Merlin. Ride #6 was It’s a Small World. Brynne and Leah loved it, even when we were stuck in there for a seemingly long time (15 minutes without moving?).

Lots of people waiting to board the boats in It's a Small World

Brynne and Leah

"It's a 'mall World!" (Leah's version)

Front row seats for It's a Small World

They were probably loading someone with a handicap. We saw many people in wheelchairs, some who did not seem to need the wheelchair, but they still were able to cut to the front of the line with their families. Peter Pan’s Flight (#7) where Kent took Brynne and I took Leah who was not thrilled, but Brynne remembered it as one of her favorites.

Kent and Brynne on Peter Pan's Flight

When we decided to head to Frontierland and Splash Mountain, we realized a parade was about to begin! We found a rope-side spot in Liberty Square. The parade was quite a spectacular show (#3): the Surprise Celebration Parade was like a giant Mardi Gras/Carnivale event. Huge floats with all the major characters Brynne and Leah were quite thrilled by it, but became tired.

Surprise Celebration Parade

Donald Duck (note the skywriting)

Goofy

Pluto

Performers on stilts

Mickey Mouse

The end of the parade

Splash Mountain was closed due to technical problems, so we took the train ride (#8) around the Magic Kingdom. At Mickey Starland we saw Dopey giving autographs. Brynne wanted to get one, but we decided to go later. By the time we got back to Splash Mountain, it was back in operation, but it turned out that Brynne and Leah were too short to go on it. Kathy and I thought to try Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, even though there was a height restriction there also. But this time they were taller than the T-square used to measure kids’ heights. So it was that I took both of them on their first almost real roller coaster (ride #9). There was a long line, and as we waited they could see how fast it went and hear people screaming. Still game, we boarded and the ride started in the dark with two cowering girls. Once outside, it became a fast fun ride and Brynne and Leah joined in the screaming. A couple in front of us kept looking back, but then they realized the girls were having fun!

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Alligator Swamp on Tom Sawyer Island

Met the dads coming back from Splash Mountain, and they were all wet! We went to show #4 at the Country Bear Jamboree. The song lyrics were over the girls’ heads, but the show was okay. We rode on the paddlewheeler (#10) and then tried the Haunted Mansion (#11). Leah had to leave the Haunted Mansion even before we reached the ride cars. Brynne closed her eyes, but peeked through most of it. Everyone was tired and hungry, so we made our way to the Crystal Palace cafeteria for supper. Bean soup and salad for me, spaghetti for Brynne and Kent. Expensive, but quality food. There were plenty of seats. Leah banged her eye on the edge of a chair.

Brynne and Leah

We thought to start heading home (to David and Debbie’s), but were distracted by the 19:30 show (#5) of Disneymania in the castle forecourt.

Disneymania Show

It was a musical show with doves flying overhead and familiar characters and songs, and the lights and colors were a nice effect at night. A nice close to a long day that was sunny and 80 degrees. We turned in the stroller for a Disney Buck. Ride #12 was the monorail back to the Transportation Center, and ride #13 was the tram back to our car in the parking lot. The Ws had rented a van to drive down from New York, and Mike drove us everywhere with Kathy navigating (and sometimes mixing up right and left!). We arrived back at Dave and Debbie’s at 21:00. The Ss showered and tried to go to bed, and Brynne and Leah fell asleep. But the others stayed up late talking! Today we managed 13 rides and 5 shows! And at some point I was able to make reservations for Breakfast with Minnie for Sunday morning at 9:30.
Next: Walt Disney World MGM/Disney Studios.