Magic Kingdom - Day 1

Magic Kingdom -- is there any place more "magical"?  We knew this was going to be the best and most exciting of all the Disney parks so we decided to use that old wisdom "save the best for last."  We had read that sometimes children who visit Magic Kingdom first are less interested in the other less exciting parks.  We think our "plan" worked out perfectly.  Evan really got the best experience out of all the other parks without them "paling" in comparison.  We decided not to rush our experience in Magic Kingdom and decided to just start on one side of the park our first day and do what we wanted to do and as much as we wanted until we got hot and tired and were ready to head back to the hotel for a swim.  When we arrived at the park, we headed to the left (maybe this is part of my OCD but I have to go from left to right) and hit Adventure Land first.  Evan was okay with this because "Pirates of the Caribbean" is over there.  

Our first view of the castle

The first family picture

The man who started it all and his beloved mouse.

FIRST STOP - SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON'S TREE HOUSE 

I really wasn't planning to stop at this one because I didn't think it would be very exciting for Evan, but he and Daddy really wanted to see the big tree house.  Ha!

Evan actually enjoyed climbing to the top of this giant tree house.  Daddy just said it was not realistic because trees don't actually grow like that.  Haha!  Leave it to a forester!

My boys ~ yes, Brody was already taking a nap.  And the view of the castle was actually very nice up there.

NEXT STOP - ARABIA AND A MAGICAL CARPET RIDE

Complete with a spitting camel.  All the kids loved standing in the spot where the camel spit at you.  The only regret Mommy has is not waiting in line to meet Aladdin and Jasmine here.

Mommy and Evan rode the magic carpet first.  The song "A Whole New World" comes to mind here.

Mommy kept trying to steer us so we'd get some cool water spit on us by the camel. 

Then, Daddy and Evan rode.

Evan especially loved any area in the parks where he could get wet.  This station was one of his favorites.  

Yes, he was soaked after this, but at least it cooled him off.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN!

Excited to ride the pirate ride. 

Another of my favorite rides as a child, and I think they improved it a lot.  Our friend, Jack Sparrow, has been added since the new movies.  This is one of the few rides where the movies came after the ride. 

Captain Jack looked exactly like himself. 

A JUNGLE CRUISE - This was a funny ride!

After seeing these animals on the real safari at Animal Kingdom, you would think this ride wouldn't be as exciting, but they made it quite funny and entertaining.  I think the animatronic animals are really realistic too.

Um, I know this wasn't a real snake, but it still made me nervous!

A giant Asian elephant. 

Haha!  The rhino treed these guys.

Hungry Hippo anyone?

Silly monkeys invaded the treasure room in this old ruined temple.

The elephants were very playful here.

SPLASH MOUNTAIN - not much of a splash but Evan enjoyed the story of Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox!

Coming out in the briar patch. 

A VERY WINNIE THE POOH MEETING (AND TIGGER TOO!)

Mommy and Brody met Winnie the Pooh while waiting for Daddy and Evan to ride Splash Mountain.

It was love at first snuggle!  

And  Tigger too.

Look at Brody holding Pooh's hand.  So sweet!  But who doesn't love that silly ol' bear? 

A DREAM COME TRUE PARADE!

Mommy enjoyed the experience of all the parades and characters more than the boys.  

Waiting for the parade. 

Our pal, Dale, was dressed in festive attire.

Mickey was the star of the show. 

Mickey leads the procession and is all dressed up for the celebration.

The festive and magical float.

Again, my little man sleeping.  Isn't he beautiful sleeping?  An Italian man said he was "molto bella."  We get so many compliments on his gorgeous eyes and eyelashes.

Pinnochio

Snow White and her Prince

Abu and the Genii from one of my favorite Disney movies.

And Aladdin too.

And Mary Poppins too.  I can't wait for Evan to watch more of these movies and know these characters. 

That mean ol' Queen of Hearts and that endearing pair "Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum"

And Alice and her friend, the Mad Hatter, too.

An enchanting ice castle

That nasty lady makes stepmothers look bad.  We don't like her.

Lovely Cinderella and her Prince

And one of my favorite princesses, Belle, and the Beast

A MAD HATTER'S TEA PARTY

After the parade, we were ready for a cool and refreshing snack.  We headed up to the Alice in Wonderland area to grab a cool and sweet slush so Evan had to experience the magic of the tea cups.  That is not Mommy's cup of tea so Daddy took one for the team here!

Daddy and Evan on the teacups.  

WE VISITED A HAUNTED MANSION!

This was Mommy's favorite ride as a child so she was excited for Evan to experience it.  Although this ride professes to be "scary," I think it is more funny.  The ghosts dance around and act silly and then try to leave with you in your car.  Daddy rode with Brody the first time and said their ghost took Brody's head and blew it up like a balloon.  Ha!

Evan had fun shooting at ghosts with his new pirate gun.  Can we say "Ghost Hunter"?

AND ONE LAST MAGICAL SHOW

On the way out of the park, we caught this show in front of the castle.

Mickey and Minnie and all the royal couples were celebrating.

The stars!