Monday morning, we were back at Magic Kingdom for the day. We had planned to rope drop meeting Mickey and Minnie for Katherine. We got to the building where Mickey and Minnie are at about 8:45 and there was already a 40 minute wait. I think the lines builds fast since it's at the front of the park. We decided that since we already got to meet Mickey at Hollywood Studios (and he no longer talks at Magic Kingdom like he did during our last visit), that we'd skip the 40 minute wait. But Tinkerbell was in the same building with a short wait, so we met her as soon as the park opened at 9:00. She was a great character meet. The room was so immersive and detailed, and she was really sweet and took plenty of time to talk with our kids. I love it that Elisabeth asked her if she could show her how she flies. Katherine was even happy to hop down and give her big hugs.
After meeting Tinkerbell, we stopped for a picture in front of the castle, before heading over to ride Haunted Mansion.
Nathan was really excited to ride Haunted Mansion. He had watched lots of YouTube videos about it, and he shared all the details with us- like the growing room is actually just an elevator, and the entire ride is underground so there would be more room for the ride. It's not my favorite ride, but the kids seemed to like it.
After Haunted mansion we walked over to Frontierland to use our first fastpasses. We had back to back fastpasses for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain. Big Thunder Railroad was closed during our last visit, so the kids had never ridden it. But of course Nathan had done his research and knew that sitting in the back of the train was a more thrilling ride than sitting in the front, so he requested to sit in the back. I wasn't super impressed. I think the cars are designed for kids, and adults didn't fit quite right and it was super bumpy (probably thanks for my 8 year old who made us all ride in the back, ha!), but the kids loved it- especially Elisabeth. She's a fan of all things bumpy and fast.
After Big Thunder we took turns riding Splash Mountain- which is one of my favorite Disney rides. They have a fun playground near the ride, and Katherine had fun playing while we rode. I think I have a picture of Elisabeth that's almost identical to this one. Next time we go, we won't even need this little playground to entertain a Little One. Kate will be big enough to join us!
I never remember getting soaked on Splash Mountain, but I also never sat in the very front. We all got soaked, but that adds to the fun, right?
After Splash Mountain, we rode Jungle Cruise. It's a fun boat ride with animatronic animals and a boat driver full of puns and jokes during the whole ride. It's just one of those classic Disney rides that everyone has to ride.
After Jungle Cruise, it was time to head to the castle for the Bippidi Boppidi Boutique. I was so excited for this part of our trip. I tried to plan our trip when Elisabeth was at the perfect princess age. And I think I hit it just right. She loves all princesses and couldn't wait to get a princess makeover inside the castle- such a magical thing for a four year old (and her mom :)). That day was one of the days where I was so grateful for have daughters!
She waited patiently for the fair godmothers to call her name- Princess Elisabeth.
The Bippidi Boppidi Boutique also has a Knight package, so the boys were happy to get to participate too. My sweet friend Michelle made them capes, sashes, and belts for their special day.
Katherine was happy to wear her princess dress and watch all the fun. Next time, Sister- you'll get your chance (I can't wait!)
Elisabeth chose to wear her Cinderella princess dress for the occasion. She got to choose her hairstyle too. She said she chose the only one that really looked like a princess. I agreed with her. Glad we were on the same page on that one, Sis, ha!).
The boys got their hair styled, complete with confetti. Nathan chose to have his combed over on the side and Samuel wanted his spiked.
The Fairy Godmothers were so good with the kids- talking to them about princesses and knights, making funny jokes, and making everything such a special experience.
Along with getting her hair styled, Elisabeth also got her nails polished and makeup done. I know she felt like a celebrity.
There's my sweet princess. She had some BIG smiles that afternoon with her crown and sash. She also got a special bag to bring home (that she decided is her new dance bag) filled with her extra makeup, nail polish and stick on earrings. That has been really fun because she has gotten to play with the makeup when we got home- continuing the magic. She was pretty quiet during the whole experience, and I couldn't tell how much she was enjoying it. But once we got home, and she asked to wear her makeup and earrings everyday and asked for me to introduce her as Princess Elisabeth- I knew it was magical for her.
The boys got shields and swords to bring home- and they've been played with a lot since we got home.
And Daddy's shirt was fitting for a pricey activity. He's such a great dad and husband to happily pay for all our fun memories.
After the makeover, we went next door to have photos taken.
Sometimes with Disney World, you have better characters/experiences/cast members than others. It feels a little like the lottery- not sure who you'll get for which activity. We were not impressed with the photographer inside the boutique. But we hit the jackpot with our studio photographer. He was amazing, so very patient with Katherine, and he never rushed us. He took so many pictures and spent probably 20 minutes with our kids. We were so happy with his work. The studio actually had two photographers who were alternating photographing the guests. We got to see the other lady photograph the family before us, and she probably spent less than five minutes and only snapped a handful of pictures- granted they didn't have four kids and no toddlers, but we were so happy that we were in the right place in line for the other photographer. Matt even took the time to stop at Guest Relations when we were leaving Magic Kingdom that afternoon to let them know how wonderful he was.
These pictures are a treasure for me to capture their sweet ages after such a magical morning.
So, what do we do with our freshly made over princesses and knights? Well of course we eat lunch in the castle with the princesses!!
Elisabeth was excited to meet Cinderella inside her castle.
Matt and I ate dinner inside the castle for our four year anniversary, so it's a special place for us. It's hard to compare that night eating alone with my Love with fireworks shooting outside the window, but eating with my princesses and knights and seeing their excitement was pretty awesome too.
At lunch we got to meet Ariel, Jasmine, Snow White and Aurora. The princesses seem much more rushed than at actual character greetings. They didn't talk much with our kids and really just said hi, signed their autograph books, and posed for a picture. It was a little disappointing but still a really great lunch.
My star struck girl watching the princesses come into the dining room.
The food was delicious- not disappointing at all. Nathan ordered steak again, and the other kids had mac and cheese. At the end of our lunch, I asked if the kids needed anything else- thinking like drink refills, and Nathan said he wanted another piece of steak, ha! And the waitress was so nice she brought him another one. That kid :)
Dessert was divine.It was almost as good as the grey stuff :)
The kids got to decorate their own cupcakes for dessert. They loved all the special desserts during our vacation.
The character meals do take awhile. I think it was almost 3:00 before we finished lunch, but the extra downtime gave the kids a chance to refuel, re energize, and get ready for more fun during the afternoon and evening.
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