I'll be honest. I usually don't get too excited about theme parks. I would rather go to the beach. But when everything fell into place to take Ellie to Disney World for a day with her BFF cousin Kate, we couldn't pass it up. And I'm so glad we didn't. Let's just say all of Ellie's dreams came true.
This was my first time to Disney World and basically Disney anything aside from a hurried hour at Disneyland when I was on an acting tour 10 years ago, so I admit it was pretty fun for me too. When we walked into the park, every worker we passed greeted us as princesses and said, "Have a magical day." They really try to live up to their motto as the happiest place on earth.
Because my sister is awesome, she treated the girls to Cinderella's Royal Table -- a breakfast inside the castle where all of the princesses visit each table. It was a great way to kick off the day.
Our first ride: "It's a Small World." Had that song in my head all day. Ellie loved it and kept bringing my attention to everything she saw.
Her favorite ride, by far, was Dumbo.
The highlight of the day was watching Ellie meet her favorite character, Tinkerbell, and her sister, Periwinkle. Just to give you an idea of her love for all things fairy, her favorite movie is "Secret of the Wings," when she blew out her candles on her birthday she wished to be a real fairy, and all she wanted for Christmas was a fairy.
As we were waiting in line to see Periwinkle Ellie asked, "Can I fly to her?" So she flapped her little arms all the way to her, and Periwinkle loved it.
Aladdin's magic carpet ride
Meeting Rapunzel was another huge highlight of the day. Ever since we told Ellie we were taking her to Disney World, she kept asking if "Tangled" was going to be there. I wasn't sure, so I kept saying "maybe" but we were so happy when we found out she was there. The girl who played her character was so genuine. Really liked her.
Love.
Mickey was so cute. He was so playful and into his character. He was another one Ellie did not want to leave without seeing. Her souvenir of choice was a little Mickey stuffed animal.
By 7:30, Ellie was all tuckered out and fell asleep in the stroller. As many of you know, I am usually super anti-waking-up-children-at-any-cost, but we hadn't seen the interactive story time with Belle in the new Fantasyland, so after a short nap, I took her into Belle's cottage and she woke up as she heard the characters talking. It was really cool. The wardrobe and Lumiere looked and talked just like the animated versions. When it was time to meet Belle, Ellie was still a little groggy, as you can see. Ha ha.
Kate, this picture is for you!
Ariel was the last princess we saw, and we were the last ones to see her that day.
Ellie was obsessed with her fin.
We hurried out of the park as the firework show was going. It was such a fun day.
