magic magic magic kingdom

this disney world magic kingdom place. oh, man, i did NOT expect to love it but i did. i did, i did, i did. the kids and their bright young eyes and big imaginations let me release all my hang ups, all my frustrations about crowds, all my irritation with the things that i can't even control--and once all my own thoughts melted away, all the magic poured in.

i don't even know if these photos will mean anything to anyone, but they sure do bring me right back to joy, glee, silliness, playfulness, warm sunshine, and carefree family time. despite the spring break crowds.

our walk through the hotel grounds to the monorail station at the hotel

monorail! (ask david: i sang this song every single time we rode the monorail....)

early morning at the magic kingdom

the castle!

and little 8:45 am welcome from everyone's favorite mouse

then it was off to the rides

(for future reference: favorite rides were buzz lightyear, tea cups, goofy's barnstormer, ariel's grotto, big thunder mountain railroad)

which included carrying and cajoling and reassuring and assuaging a terrified little boy anytime he was near rides that might contain images of, sounds related to, or ideas that relflect the presences of witches. this here? shaking, terrified, plugging his ears in case he hears cackling witches laughter at the seven dwarves mine train ride. and if you were wondering, NO, we did not visit the haunted mansion or the pirates of the carribbean. we were strictly forbidden from even going near those rides.

but we rode the carousel like a boss

and even overcame some inexplicable fears about the swiss family robinson tree house (i think there are pirates in the movie, and he knows that, even though he hasn't seen it, because, you know...pirates).

there were ice creams and rest times

 


and there were break dancing breaks

there were marching bands and dance parties at every turn


and young drivers loose on the speedway (you guys, it looks lame, but it was so fun).

 

a quick boat ride across the lagoon took us back to the hotel for a rest and swim for 2 critical afternoon hours of heat and crowds and tired tired tiredness...

but, true to disney form, there was an organized pool party happening when we got there!

we cleaned up, got dressed, and zipped back to the magic kingdom in time for a few more rides and a fancy al fresco dinner at tony's on main street.

one more boat ride across the lagoon after sunset


and a quick jog up the dock at the polynesian to get into jammies asap,

then get to the beach to dig a sand hole (in our jammies because--hey, why not?) and get ready to...


watch fireworks. again. at 9:30 pm.

MAGIC.