The Mice

When it comes right down to it, Disney World is really about the mice.  Mickey and Minnie are the ultimate host and hostess to the plate of magic and fun.  So even though the princesses ranked high, Mickey deserved a visit and our thanks!

It wouldn't be the Magic Kingdom without sticky, drippy lollipops for Connor!

And oh the rides!  We beelined it straight to the Dumbo Flying Elephant Ride!

And the nearby carousel.

Followed by "It's a Small World!"  I bet we heard 200 choruses of "It's a World of Laughter, A World of Fun..."

The Pooh Ride had us bouncing around in Honey Pots!  Only at Disney would we wait 40 minutes for such a ride.

The next day at Epcot we found Mickey and friends again!  We thought Connor would certainly want autographs from Goofy, Donald, Pluto and friends.  But when we made it to the front of the line Connor became very clingy and stand off-ish...except with Minnie.  It wasn't til after the line up that she stuck to her earlier assertion that she ONLY likes the characters with skirts!  (Translation - she doesn't like characters who wear pants!)  Hmmm.  The poor male characters didn't get so much as a high five...

Even though she showed some reluctance with the "characters who wore pants," Connor surprised me with her love of big girl rides and everything else the parks had to offer.  At Animal Kingdom Kirk took her on the Dinosaur roller coaster.  I was certain she would hate it - but they both proved me wrong!

Family Fun

You know, I am convinced the real "Disney Magic" comes from the feelings of joyful togetherness that inevitably accompanies a Disney vacation.  We had a grand time with our clan.  And that is priceless.  All the brothers are in different life stages, but they all made a point of being attentive to Connor and lavishing her with attention.  We sure hope one day she will have cousins to hang with - but having the Uncles' TLC is pretty great!

Evan and Connor and the Sunglasses Swap!

She suckered Davis and Katherine into playing the "Let's Fly" game on the way into Hollywood Studios...they were good sports.

My favorite meal was at Whispering Canyon at Disney's Wilderness Lodge.  I thought we were in for any ole regular meal.  But it was honestly like being back at camp.  There were table games and the wait staff played all kinds of tricks throughout dinner.  Connor especially enjoyed the Hokey Pokey as well as the horse race around the dining room!

The Lincoln Log table was a nice distraction too!

After dinner it was off to the boat to The Magic Kingdom for the Electric Night Parade!  It was a divine night for a boat ride.

Awaiting the Main Street Parade...

One sure thing - Connor was pooped with all the attention and excitement.  It took all of 2 seconds on the plane home before she was fast asleep.  Family fun is fantastic - but it can be tiring - even for a Princess!

Princess Coming Thru!

How many little girls are as lucky as this?  Cara and Poppa Ed planned a family trip to Disney World in late May.  With the exception of being a little limited by pregnancy it was a perfect trip.We missed Uncle Ryan but otherwise all the Uncles and Girlfriends joined the gang.  Connor definitely had her fill of attention with 8 adults and 1 child.

We didn't stay together as a big group during the day since we all had different "to dos" and Disney favorites.  Katherine and Davis win the Park Hopper award for being the most hard core.  I think they hit 2-3 parks each day we were there!

Day 1 we of course had to be at The Magic Kingdom as it opened.  It was one of my favorite parts.  They have a little "Good Morning/Welcome" song and dance the characters sing.  Pregnancy hormones got the better of me.  I was in tears with the excitement, anticipation and joy on Connor's face!

While the Uncles took on the roller coasters we lined up to see the Princesses.  Yep, we are smack in the princess-obsession-age!  Connor thought they were absolutely wonderful.  She was a tad shy at first but warmed up and even asked them story appropriate questions (my favorite was when she asked Ariel, "Why did you disobey your father, King Tritan?" - I bet Ariel doesn't get that one everyday!)

While we waited in line we sang all of the Princess songs - I Walked With You Once Upon a Dream, Someday my Prince Will Come, and A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes.  I know - it is all a little over the top, but that is what the Disney magic is all about.  All the Princesses signed Connor's autograph book with big beautiful curvy letters.

One night Cara bought Connor a new Ariel dress in preparation for her upcoming "Princess Breakfast at Epcot."  Connor was delighted with the purchase - she wore the gown right out of the store.  I swear she was floating.  When we drove back from Downtown Disney (where we purchased the dress) to Old Key West (where we were staying), Connor was full of the Ariel spirit and sparkling with glitter.  When our car reached the welcome gate it was a rare moment of evening silence in the dark car.  All of a sudden and totally unprovoked Connor shouts out, "Princess coming through!" to the gate guard.  We all burst into belly-aching laughter.  Where does she come up with these things?!?

The Princess Breakfast was definitely a highlight.  Connor was dancing in line she was so happy!

It was a delicious family style breakfast.  When our bellies were full the anticipated Princesses came one by one to our table for photos and some conversation.

Here Connor tells Cinderella that she is now FOUR!

Now if I ever need a chuckle or pick-me-up in the middle of the day I just think of my silly girl shouting out "Princess Coming Through!" in the car as we went through that welcome gate.