Magic Kingdom
Day 3 - December 22, 2002  
December 22, 2002

Early Entry at MK
Crystal Palace for Lunch
Downtown Disney
   Downtown Disney

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Up REALLY early to be at the Magic Kingdom by 7am.  Thank goodness the monorail is about a 5 minute trip from here!  We arrived just as they opened, and the crowds were VERY manageable.  (read SMALL).  There were characters all up Main Street including the families favorite Mouse Couple.  :-)

I love Early Entry and really missed it this last August.  We headed to Fantasyland and walked right on Dumbo, Winnie the Pooh, Teacups, and even the wait for the Race Cars was very short.  Only a couple minute wait for Buzz Lightyear and then we headed back to Frontier Land for the all time favorite - Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.  Walked on twice, and this was after the park was open to the public.  Nice!  We skipped Splash Mountain, as we didn't want to be wet. 

The weather was beautiful, but a bit nippy still (at least by Florida standards).  Around 55 - 60 that morning.  We walked over to Adventureland and enjoyed the Magic Carpet Ride (walk on), Jungle Cruise (walk on) and Pirates of the Caribbean (walk on!).  We caught the Tiki Bird show and even the Country Bears Christmas show.  Cute. 

Then we jumped the train to Mickey's Toontown Fair and enjoyed touring Mickey and Minnie's homes.  They were decorated for the holidays with HUGE Christmas lights outside, and a tree/stockings in the house.  Very cute, and nicely done in the 'toon' style.
  Girls with Minnie

Girls with Mickey

Mickey's Christmas Tree

Mickey's Stockings

Castle

Girls with Castle

   Winnie the Pooh with the girls

Girls with Tigger

Girls with Piglet


Today was Maddy's birthday celebration day, so she had been receiving lots of attention and well wishes from the CM's and characters we saw.

 It was now time to head to the Crystal Palace for her birthday Lunch.  They did a fantastic job with the refurbishment of this building.  It looks GREAT inside and out.

We enjoyed lunch with Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet.  The food was very good and Maddy enjoyed her birthday celebration.  She received Mickey Icon confetti and streamers on the table.  A birthday card signed by the four characters and a cupcake with candle.  They also did a Birthday parade where the kids parade around with all the characters through the restaurant!  I was surprised she did it by herself (just turned 4), but she did and had a great time!  Big fun!

It was almost time for the Mickey Very Merry Christmas Parade, so we found a spot (not easy, the crowds had arrived while we were eating lunch)  and the parade was fantastic.  Very long parade, and so much to see.  I was able to tape the whole thing, and I think there will be a favorite new Disney Trip tape in the house!  I think this is a new favorite parade.  It was just great.  See the pictures below...


A few pictures of the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade
   Start of the Parade
Christmas Dwarves    
   Florida Snowmen
Parade Pigglet    
   Rabbit took a break from his garden
Its Kanga and Roo!   
Brer Rabbit and Brer Bear   
Santa's Workshop
Santa is a bit Goofy!
Toy Soldier
Parade Donald and Daisy
Gingerbreadmen
Reindeer
Santa


It was now WAY past nap time and everyone was pretty tired.  Back to the Grand Floridian for a nap.

Later, just Kristen and I went to Downtown Disney for a bit of last minute Christmas shopping while the girls and Grandma relaxed and played in the room.  Grabbed the van from valet parking and drove to the Marketplace.  Since we've always had a car while in WDW, I've gotten pretty good at finding my way around the property  (and Disney has everything VERY well marked - which doesn't hurt!) 

We lucked out with a good parking space in a very crowded parking lot, and headed off to World of Disney and the new Once Upon a Toy store.  Bought the girls a few stocking stuffers, and a couple special Disney toys.  The stores weren't as packed as I had expected.  They were busy, but I'd seen them much worse in August (especially when it was raining).  The checkout lines were very short. 

Still received that great 15% discount at World of Disney for using American Express while staying on property.  I'll be sad to see that go after the end of the year when American Express is no longer the official card of WDW.  I hope any new program provides a discount since the Disney Club is ending as well.  The toy store has NO discounts, and I swear Disney has moved some of the more popular items here so you have to pay full price to get them!  :-) 

We also stopped by the Art of Disney Store to pick up a Nightmare Before Christmas piece for my brother's girlfriend, Tonya.  My brother, Derek, had clued me in to her collection, so I knew what to look for.  I love this store, there are many wonderful collectable items - but again - no discount here.  ;-)

We wanted to buy some drinks/snacks/etc. for the room and felt like exploring a bit, so we headed off property.  Stopped for gas and asked directions to Wal Mart - which turned out to be pretty easy.  Take 535 south (turn right when leaving Disney property across from The Crossings.  Take 535 all the way to the end and then take a left on 192.  Wal Mart is several miles down on the right side of the road.  BIG store, and typically busy (especially a couple nights before Christmas)  Grabbed what we needed, explored a bit and then headed back.  There are an amazing number of businesses down 535 and along 192.  If you have a car, there is a huge variety of stores/restaurants very close to Disney property. 

We headed back and Grandma had put the girls to bed as planned.  Tomorrow morning was Animal Kingdom for early entry at 8am, so time for a bit of shuteye. 


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