Today was the first day I think everyone was feeling a little tired. We didn't really rush to get ready this morning, but with a quick bus ride we were still at the park shortly after it opened at 9am. The kids got pictures with Daisy and Stitch at the entrance before us bag ladies could get in (they search any bags you have before the entrance). We then decided we would head over to Test Track as it was the most fun ride for the kids. We also got a fast pass for the time that was given which was 40 minutes or so after the ride. The ride was quoting a 25 minute wait time so we took it.
Word of advice to those traveling to Disney any time soon: Fast passes are being strictly enforced. In the past, they would allow any fast pass as long as the time had lapsed. Fast passes are only given out for an hour window so if you are now later, you are out of luck. Because of this strict enforcement, you can now get fast passes for different rides either 2 hours after you had gotten your last one, or after the beginning window started, whichever is first. So we could get another fast pass after our 10:20am window started for Test Track. If you are deciding to actually do the stand by, it REALLY increases your wait time. Even though the line might not be as long, they always let the fast pass people go and you maybe get 20% of the group from the stand-by line. I recommend planning out your route and getting as many fast passes as you can for those popular rides.
Thankfully we did all the fast pass rides during our other trip to Epcot so we were good. After the second test track time, I promised Gwen we would see all the princesses we could before our lunch reservation at 1:25pm. I also asked her if she wanted another stroller and when she said yes right away, I knew that if I didn't grab it then, it was going to be a very difficult trek around the world. SOOOO glad I did today at least. We made it to see Mulan, Jasmine and Aladdin before we had to wait a few minutes to catch a few more princesses. So we waited 5 minutes to see Belle, had an ice cream snack (on a day that was SUPPOSED to be pretty yucky: showers all day an high of 78 or so...it was bright, sunny, and hot), and then moved back to Alice and Marie (kitten from Aristocats). Then we were told Aurora was also around and had to wait 15 or so minutes to see it but that one was well worth it. Actually, they were all worth it. None of the lines were unbearable and Gwen had her face plastered with a smile the entire time. Aladdin even asked her to play a game with Aurora by asking Gwen if she would pass along a message. She said she would and he said, "Tell Aurora "Tag...you are it!" And we did. We were the last ones in line before they had to take a break and we scooted over to get our lunch reservations at Akershus. I had never eaten there before and while we probably didn't need to given that we had already done a Princess dining experience it was a nice change of pace again with the food. Norwegian!
We all got our picture taken with Belle at the start and then Mulan, Ariel, Cinderella, and Aurora came by our table to say hi. During our day at Disney Hollywood Studios, Gwen asked for a Journal which I thought she was just wanting to be able to use for herself. Well, she saw the other kids using them as an autograph book and that was what she wanted to do as well. So we have been collecting autographs and this book also has one side of each page dedicated to a spot for a photograph. So when I get these photos developed, I will be getting an extra copy for her photograph book and matching them with the autographs. What I am amazed at (and it makes sense but I cannot believe that the Disney people actually do this) is that they have all their princesses sign the same way. We have two Belle, Princess Aurora, and Mulan signatures and they are virtually identical. Not with each other, but the same characters. It looks so cool!
So after our lunch, we headed over to Journey into Imagination, made our way to Soarin for our fastpass time, did one last Spaceship Earth and headed out. A solid 8 hours at the parks and I think a big part of what made that possible was separating the kids. They seem to be on each other and pushing one anothers' hot buttons all.day.long. That might mean we do another separation although we'll have to see how crazy it is at the park. It is scheduled to be almost a 10 out of 10 on the crowd scale. But how can you be sad when you are in Magic Kingdom? Maybe I should wish for bad weather so it will keep some of the crowd away. Gwen is happy to be meeting Pooh and Piglet for our breakfast so she can round out her autographs. Until next time Epcot!
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