Magical Memories Pt. 1

If I were to write a full blog on the entire Disney trip you'd all be sitting here reading for hours (or more likely until you become bored after 3 minutes).  So I'm going to write up a top ten list.  Enjoy.

10:  Pin trading.  A few friends suggested getting the kids pins and lanyards.  All cast members who wear pins will trade with any guests who have pins to trade.  We figured that would help make the trip a bit more memorable.  We started letting the kids pick out individual pins, but realized quickly that those pins would be traded away.  So they each picked out one special pin and then we bought a few packs of pins for trading (had we had our ducks in a row I would have ordered some lots of pins from Ebay before we left).  Both kids loved trading pins.  They would walk up to any cast members and trade pins.  Erin just really liked the experience of trading and wasn't very selective.  Jeffrey was more pointed in his trading.  By the end of the week he had a goal in mind.  He was looking for Fab. 5 Pirate pins and anything with the Queen of Hearts.  On our way out of Animal Kingdom on our last night, we stopped to trade with one last cast member.  She saw that Jeffrey was looking for certain pins.  She opened up a little bag and dug through it until she found one he didn't have.  He wasn't sure what he wanted to trade and she said -- "No trade.  A gift from me."  And then she reached into her bag and pulled out a pin for Erin as well.  Now that's Disney Magic.

Jeffrey's Lanyard Before Our Last Day Of Trading

Erin's Lanyard Before The Last Day Of Trading

9:  This guy.  He was one of the cast members staffing Tower of Terror.  A few things to know.  Jeffrey's not a big thrill ride guy and was skeptical about Tower of Terror, but we wanted to encourage him.  This guy was our "bellhop".  He continued the story set out by the ride as he checked seat belts, ran back as the doors closed trying to tell us "one last thing" etc..  Both Jeff and Erin bought it all hook, line, and sinker.  And then loved every second of the ride.  They was so excited about it that we turned around and walked right back onto the ride.  And when we saw him working the entrance later in the day we asked him for this photo which he served up perfectly.

8:  Watching Erin at the Magic Kingdom fireworks and light show.  We had a great vantage point (Tinkerbell flew right over our heads).  And Erin stood in awe as the castle changed colors and flashed.  Then she started "directing" the show.  She was waving her hands around and flashing them with the fireworks.  When the music quieted, she would kneel down close to the ground and wait for the crescendo when she would shoot up like a rocket herself.  She was totally engrossed in the show.  She became part of it, and it brought tears to my eyes.

7:  Random character sightings.  Not the ones that we had to wait in line for, or get there 30 minutes early for, but just walking by and seeing no line.  We had several visits with Stitch, and a family visit with the White Rabbit, a great time with Chip and Dale, snuggles with Tigger and Eeyore, and even a quick visit with Princess Aurora.  Just like 7 years ago when we took Erin, we found Princess Aurora hidden in a corner with no line.  She took time to talk with Erin and ask her about her "first visit".  I thought back to Erin's true first visit (of which she has no memory) and meeting Princess Aurora when no one else was around.  She picked her up, and held and kissed her cheek.  Amazingly sweet.  And this time Erin got her autograph (we did pins instead of autograph books but the cast member staffing the line made sure she had an index card with her so all little girls could get an autograph).

Jeff's First Character Hug - Terk from Tarzan Maybe?

Always Love For Stitch

"Timely" Visit With The White Rabbit

Erin Has A Long History With These Two, and Jeff is Showing Off One Of His  Dale Pirate Pins.

My Princess With a Princess

6:  Dancing.  Yep, sounds a little odd, but there was lots of dancing on this trip.  Our first night at Downtown Disney we stumbled upon a free kid's dance party and even Jeffrey danced for hours.  Later while walking through Epcot we came across a live performance in Morocco.  We all loved the music and Erin, Tom and Jeff danced like crazy.  Yes, that's right, Jeff danced in public.  Twice.  Actually 3 times, but number 3 will be reserved for it's own highlight.  

What about the other 5?  I guess those will have to wait for another day.  Have to keep both my readers in suspense don't I.  Plus, most of you have seen the 100 plus pictures on Facebook already.  So, I'm just going to make you wait for 5 more stories.