Fun Raining Down at Disney

When last we left our birthday girl and her family, they all had arrived safely in Orlando... and were ready for Molly's big birthday at the Magic Kingdom.


Unfortunately, the morning did not start off all sunshine and rainbows. We had to get up early... there was a lot of excitement and anticipation... someone still needed to take her Amoxycilin... so -- needless to say -- we'd had better mornings. Oh yeah, and a certain someone "never wanted to be five. I want to be four."

Oh great.

Eventually, Daddy (who kept his calm) herded us out the door and we got on our way.

I have to say, whoever came up with the idea of "visit Disney free on your birthday" is BRILLIANT. Sure, the birthday girl gets into one park free... but everyone else pays, plus food, plus hotel, plus souvenirs, etc. But -- to Disney's credit -- they really play up the experience to Disney perfection: Molly had her birthday button with her name on it. And EVERY cast member who saw her would say, "Happy Birthday, Molly! How old are you today?" or "Good morning, Princess Molly. Happy Birthday!" It was so sweet. Molly met a cop on Main Street who was celebrating her 55th birthday. And we saw lots of other guests all day in the park -- from little kids to grown-ups -- and all would cheer and yell "Happy Birthday, Molly!" It was fantastic.

First stop after Molly turned in her Golden Ticket to get her birthday pass: breakfast at Cinderella's Castle. We started off meeting Cinderella first and having our picture taken with her. Then we were escorted upstairs. FABULOUS food (although Molly didn't eat much... Daddy and I loved the food). Molly saw ALL of the princesses, got a magic wand and wishing star, and even got a little cake for breakfast!

Then we visited Dumbo (of course!) and Cinderella's Carousel...

Then we got a call from Uncle Paul and Ellie - they had made it. So we met them at Peter Pan (which Molly did NOT like). Then we swept through Small World -- one of Molly's favorites.

After that, we visited the completely updated Hall of Presidents - complete with new digital three-screen film and the animatronic Barack Obama. It was very moving and simply amazing. So well done -- very Ken Burns.

Then we took off for the Jungle Cruise. The line was long, but our cruise driver (who's a dead ringer for my Uncle Fred) was hilarious! Best of all, he recruited Ellie to drive us through the tunnel!

After that, Paul and Ellie headed off to check out a couple things... and we hit Aladdin's Magic Carpets, then went back to the hotel to nap.

Two hours later...

When we woke up, it was POURING rain. Not just the daily little Central Florida 15 minute rain burst. This was a downright soaker. So I purchased five fabulous Disney ponchos (much to Ellie's tween style sensibility) and off we went.

This photo is in the running to be our Christmas Card photo.

Smile, everyone! You're at Walt Disney World! In matching ponchos! What could be more magical!

Dinner at Cinderella's Castle was great. Again, started with photos and a meet and greet with Cinderella. Then, instead of all the princesses coming out, the Fairy Godmother comes out with the mice and does a hilarious little caberet act. The food again was phenomenal. Molly got another little birthday cake and the girls both got magic wands (although Ellie gave hers to Molly).

After that, we walked outside and had a fantastic view of the parade from up by the castle (since it was roped off and we weren't supposed to be there). We waited for the fireworks and had a WONDERFUL view.

Then we worked our way through the sea of lemmings and made our way out. (Molly asked, "Where are the people that waved good-bye to us last time? You know, the ones who wore the Mickey hands?" What??? You mean these people from last May??? How do you remember this stuff???)

By the time we got on the bus and were dropped back of at Port Orleans, Molly was out. So we dropped her into bed, climbed in ourselves, and remembered that special day five years ago when our little princess came into our lives.

Stay tuned next time for Day Two - The Water Slide Molly Refused to Go On...