Happy Birthday Court! When we started planning this trip, we initially were looking at a week later on in September. But, it would have cost us another chunk of money because the Riverside wasn't available. So that pushed us into this week and into Courtney's birthday. We let Court choose which park she wanted to go on her birthday and she chose the Magic Kingdom. We were a little concerned that the park would be crowded on Labor Day, but the tour books all said that since schools in the south mostly start in August, Labor Day wouldn't be bad. And.....they were right.
We arrived at our normal 45 minutes before opening and rushed the park at rope drop. It seems a little less important here than at Disneyland because the rope drop is just
after the gates rather than on mainstreet. We headed to Fantasyland and hit Winnie the Pooh, Indy Speedway (Autopia's Eastern cousin), Snow White (much better in WDW than in CA), Small World (much better in CA, seemed really scrunched together because of the inside queue), the tea cups, Goofy's Barnstormer,Peter Pan and Mickey's Philharmagic (something new for us and one of the family favorites). The lines were all pretty short, so when Julie saw that the line to see Ariel was short too, we jumped in that line too. Courtney was very excited to get a birthday greeting from one of her favorite characters.
after the gates rather than on mainstreet. We headed to Fantasyland and hit Winnie the Pooh, Indy Speedway (Autopia's Eastern cousin), Snow White (much better in WDW than in CA), Small World (much better in CA, seemed really scrunched together because of the inside queue), the tea cups, Goofy's Barnstormer,Peter Pan and Mickey's Philharmagic (something new for us and one of the family favorites). The lines were all pretty short, so when Julie saw that the line to see Ariel was short too, we jumped in that line too. Courtney was very excited to get a birthday greeting from one of her favorite characters. 
We were able to squeeze in the Haunted Mansion, Aladdin's Magic Carpets (Dumbo-like ride) and the Jungle Cruise before our lunch reservation. The jungle cruise was a little different at WDW, a few more animals/sites and the cruise operator actually let Mallory drive the boat through the big tunnel. She cruised by the cobras and tiger like a pro. 
We ran over to the Crystal Palace for lunch. Winnie, Tiger, Eeyore and Piglet each took turns wishing Court a happy birthday and even left her a signed birthday card before we left. We stuffed ourselves pretty good and wobbled over to the castle. As I grabbed some more fastpasses, Julie and the kids walked through the mosaics of Cinderella's story. We met at a small quiet spot next to the castle for Belle's story time. Court wanted to sit up front for the story, but unfortunately, Connor and Mallory were both selected to take part in the story. Connor as Gaston and Mallory as Cogswor
th. Julie's favorite part was watching the wife of the guy picked to play the beast, she was cracking up. After the show, Belle was able to wish Court a happy birthday in person. We were successful in seeing both of Court's favorites, one happy little girl. 
th. Julie's favorite part was watching the wife of the guy picked to play the beast, she was cracking up. After the show, Belle was able to wish Court a happy birthday in person. We were successful in seeing both of Court's favorites, one happy little girl. 
We went over to Tomorrowland and cruised through the full selection: Space Mountain, Monsters Laugh Floor (big hit), Buzz Lightyear and we introduced the kids to the people movers (called the TTA in WDW). You can see from the picture that they weren't impressed. We didn't 
subject ourselves to Stitches Escape this time through. We'll just say we weren't big fans. But at least is wasn't as bad as the horrible contraption that they made the Tiki Room into. It was atrocious. But back to the positive. We headed back over to Adventureland and Frontierland to hit Pirates, Splash Mountain (twice), Thunder Mountain (twice), the magic carpets again, root beer floats during the parade and the Country Bear Jamboree. The kids had no idea what to expect with the country bears, so we had to use Papa and Grandpa's names to convince them that it was going to be okay. Well, it was a bit rundown, but Big Al and the gang still delivered. It could use a little updating, but it was still fun.
subject ourselves to Stitches Escape this time through. We'll just say we weren't big fans. But at least is wasn't as bad as the horrible contraption that they made the Tiki Room into. It was atrocious. But back to the positive. We headed back over to Adventureland and Frontierland to hit Pirates, Splash Mountain (twice), Thunder Mountain (twice), the magic carpets again, root beer floats during the parade and the Country Bear Jamboree. The kids had no idea what to expect with the country bears, so we had to use Papa and Grandpa's names to convince them that it was going to be okay. Well, it was a bit rundown, but Big Al and the gang still delivered. It could use a little updating, but it was still fun. After seeing a show at the castle, we grabbed dinner at Pecos Bill's. It is the best counter service restaurant outside of Epcot in our opinion. Court was named Sheriff for the day at Pecos Bill's to 
close out her birthday. On the way to the bus we found another gem, funnel cakes in Liberty Square. Yum. Back at the hotel was Courtney's last surprise, a signed picture of Ariel. Another night of swimming finished the family off. Good night.
close out her birthday. On the way to the bus we found another gem, funnel cakes in Liberty Square. Yum. Back at the hotel was Courtney's last surprise, a signed picture of Ariel. Another night of swimming finished the family off. Good night.
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