The Magic Kingdom (magical parts only)

One day in the Magic Kingdom. 8:00 am to 11:00 pm.

Grandma rented an electric convenience vehicle and was able to party all day long. The Dunedin Highland Games the day before were a different story in the Florida sun; we went home at about lunchtime.

Little Suzi met Pluto, Daisy Duck, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Minnie, and finally Mickey. She hugged and kissed some of them too. I never cared about meeting any of the characters before, but this time watching Suzi do it was my favorite part.

Near the end of the day we went to a shop in Mickey's Toontown Fair. Out of all the toys in the shop, some of which cost well over $50, Suzi selected one little $12 Piglet doll. She didn't even make a fuss when I told her the large-size Eeyore couldn't come home with us and (after hugging him) she put him right back on the shelf with his friends so he wouldn't get lonely. Suzi seemed to have more fun "shopping" than she did doing anything else. She loved having a chance to walk around and do her own thing, playing with all the stuffed animals. (The shops are the least crowded places in Disney, because they involve spending yet more money.) It made me wish we'd put her down and followed her around earlier in the day, rather than running her rapidly from one attraction to another.

From about 9:30 to 10:00 pm we were waiting in line to meet Mickey. We had told Suzi she would meet Mickey and didn't want to go back on our word even though it was really time to go home. She was so sleepy. A sweet newlywed couple behind us in line made friends with her, talked to her and helped keep her awake. Suzi wants to be friends with everyone, so it's nice when she can be. Not everyone waiting in line wants to play!

If every kid took as little time as Suzi did to meet the characters, there wouldn't be a line at all. Kiss kiss, hug hug, run back to Daddy. She was starstruck. I will probably eat these words in a few years, but I don't see the point of those silly Disney autograph books.

Suzi fell asleep during the 10:30 pm fireworks show, and I've never seen her sleep so hard. She didn't wake up when we put her in the car or when we got back to the hotel and put her in bed. She didn't wake up for the day until about 8:00 the next morning when we were over an hour into our trip home. She was so sweet during the ride back, playing with her new Piglet and calling to him like Pooh does in the movie. Her version is howloooooo, Piggit!

It wasn't all perfect, but these are the parts I'd like to remember. Maybe I'll blog some of the rest later. It may be helpful for someone planning a trip.

Before I forget, since it may be a couple of years... Game plan for next time:
1) Stay at a Disney resort to get Extra Magic Hours.
2) Lie in bed or around the pool all day while the masses swarm the park in the ridiculous heat.
3) Get up around 7:00 pm and head to the park.
4) Stay until 3:00 am or however long the Extra Magic hours last, enjoying mild weather, pleasant dim lighting, short lines, and thin crowds.

Glad I figured that out.

Thanks for taking us to Disney, "Wanma and Wampa!"