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itdisneymatter · 7 years

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Day 20 - Magic Kingdom

TLDR: An amazing jam-packed final day at Magic Kingdom. We done LOADS of rides, met some lovely princesses, watched a show or two, had an awesome lunch with Tigger and friends and stared in wonder at a fantastic fireworks and light show. If Carlsberg done final days...

So I sit down with the last glassful of the Woodford Reserve I have left, now well into the wee small hours, to finish writing up the final full day. Magic Kingdom. The last day before going home tomorrow. The last day we got to experience the Disney Magic. It's been a fantastic holiday and we were determined to make the most it.

As we shared the responsibility of the Fun Fact with Grace the other day, we said that Robert would get a turn today and he pretty much shouted it out as he woke up, so here it is:

Robert shares the same birthday as Walt Disney!

You have reached your destination, or maybe not...

Very apt for today. So we all got ready, jumped in the car and plugged Magic Kingdom into the Sat Nav as per usual. I had my phone all set up to video the big Walt Disney World sign as we drove underneath it, but it never came. On this particular occasion, for some unknown reason the wee sat nav wummin (which is what we called her), took us a weird route and we missed the WDW sign completely. Which was a shame, but we also seemed to bypass the Parking gates and their $20 fee, which might have just evened things out a little. We turned into a Disney resort to make a u-turn and the security guy just said just to park there (even though he wasn't supposed to let us, wink wink). And it was right next to the parking and transportation for Disney! Woot!

We traveled over to Magic Kingdom on our last day, like we did the first, by Ferryboat. Probably takes the same amout of time as the Monorail but its way more scenic. We arrived and got through the gates of the park with less than 15 minutes to spare on our first Fast Pass - Splash Mountain. Grace wasn't too fussed, so me and the boys ran (RAN!) through Adventureland and into Frontier land, making the queue with minutes to spare (they're are very strict on their FP timings, one minute out and you dont get in). This is always a good one to start off with and the regular queue was sitting at 75mins already so FP is always a good option here. Robert now accustomed to higher and faster rides wasn't fazed at all, as the ride photo shows...

So the plan was to grab some Dole Whips when we entered the park but as our times were pushed back slightly, after Splash Mountain we met back up with the girls and grab them, then. Dole whips - pineapple flavoured ice cream and a MK favourite. We sat down to savor the deliciousness of it. Just what you need for breakfast on a super hot day like today. As we were finishing up we noticed a secret path, straight through to Frontier land, which is where we were going next. Each time we are here, we learn new things which all adds to the experience for next time. Major things to call out like this are Olive Garden, this secret path and the comic book book store of course (next time Gadget, next time).

Now in the interests of time and as we’ve been here before Im running through the next few rides. Im not cutting corners, Im just saving you from me going through the same stuff I’ve went through a number of times before. I may also use this option again, later on in this update, so this is your heads up. Big Thunder - DONE! Haunted Mansion (3rd time) - DONE! Its a Small World - DONE!

Everything except the Hunny

At this point in time, we were hungry. Instead of grabbing a snack we though it would be a good idea to see if there was availability at any restaurants in the park and we were in luck - Crystal Palace had space (a place we had booked but later cancelled due to conflicting plans). We reached the restaurant just as it started to pour from the heavens :) Lunch was actually a huge buffet and it was filled with Winnie the Pooh and friends, who visited each table to sign autographs and get photos taken. First things first, the food. It was freaking amazing, and I dont think Ive ate so many veggies the whole holiday. HUGE Langoustines, Flank steak, Jambalaya, Chicken, Salmon, potatoes, rice, salad and fifty other things you could pile on to your plate again and again. Ive never seen such an elegant buffet. This is Disney though, I wouldn't have expected anything less. Yes, it was a little more costly than usual, but this was our last day and the food alone was worth it. Buuut, you didn't just get that, you got character(s). Yup, Pooh, Tigger, Piglet & Eeyore all came around and cuddled the kids, signed their book, posed for photographs and all larked about with them - it was brilliant! For this being an off the cuff booking, the kids went absolutely wild for it (and in particular Grace). So glad we did this and we were all stuffed as we left back into the wet, pelting rain.

Two pretty princesses up next, Rapuzel & Tiana. Inside, so that was good. Photos and autographs and back out and during the course of that whole process, the rain had stopped - FINALLY! (Forecast said it wasn't meant to rain at all today, HA!).

Our last Fast Pass, Seven Dwarves Mine Train up next. The first time Grace went on this, she was a little apprehensive, by the time she finished this time, it was her most favourite ride. She wanted to do it again right after but we just didn't have time.

Next up we had some gentler rides. Dumbo - wee fairground, roundabout type ride. Then Journey of the Little Mermaid. A ride which takes you through Ariel's journey of the film. We then met Ariel (but I didn't get a photo with her, :wee sad face: ). Then we got the steam train around the park (expected more scenic stuff - it was literally a train from A to B and back to A). Then Tomorrowland Speedway - GG and me in car, she started steering but got bored after 10 secs and I had to drive... whilst videoing the whole thing! Then I wanted to see Merida but she was gone (double :wee sad face:). Then Winnie the Pooh, the story of which I didn't actually pay close enough to, so I cant tell you about it, soz. The spinning teacups in the Mad Hatters tea party! Phew, we did a LOT today!

We then stopped for a refuel and the kiosk attendant was called David and he was from Glasgow!!! We all ordered drinks and ice-creams and he just turned round and gave it to us FOR FREE!!! We were all wearing Celtic shorts today so he mustve been a :P (he actually gave Ann and Grace a free drink which we were in Space Mountain last time we were here too - cheers Davido).

Last few attractions in before the fireworks. Monsters Inc Laugh Floor. So. Funny. A stand up show with monsters including MIKE WAZOWSKI in which they interact with the audience for some laughs. I was proper laughing out loud. And then Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, a shooting game where you get points for shooting targets. You know how this works by now. You know what though, the scores dont matter today, so Im not posting any leaderboard. We all just had a great time :)

Baby, you're a Firework!

We were running late for the Fireworks show, so we got in the best position we could (which wasn't all that great, well for photos at least). Awesome display, which weve come to expect so great we got to grab it on our last night here. And then, the show Ann was holding out to see -Once Upon A Time. This is where they project images onto the castle itself which tell a story, which comprised of several different Disney princesses and their related songs. We managed to move to a better (read great) location to see the castle this time, so we were all left in awe. In fact, it got a little too much for the kids who had a little tear or two, realizing that this was their last night and their last time at Magic Kingdom this time around. As we have proven to ourselves time and time again though, we belong here and this will be far from our last visit. So we all say a quick goodbye and headed off to the Monorail to the carpark (secret free location of our car). One last thing to mention before I move on, Gary our Monorail attendant noticed the kids a little upset so he told them to write down all the happy things they did during their time here and then write down all the things they missed, which would be included in our plans for next time. The attention and service from all Disney staff is always like this, you cant quite believe how good it is.

Before we headed home, we need to make a quick pit-stop at Walmart to pick up so additional carry on bags (we need to maximize our carry potential and even out our weight distribution if were ever going to make it through the airport tomorrow). Two cases and some sweets for work picked up and headed home to sleep and pack. And its getting quite late, so I'm calling it quits here, there are likely more than usual typing and grammar errors and less pics posted than I would have liked (even though we took loads today), but I'm up in about 3 hours and we have a long day ahead of us. Ill post a final update and summary tomorrow for day 21 (at some point), but for now, ciao!

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