The Magic Kingdom! (Day 2, cont'd)

Nothing says Disney World like the Magic Kingdom. Main Street USA. Town Square. Cinderella's Castle. All those images that have been burned in our heads since we were little bitty- they were just as I remembered them. One of the many great things about Disney... even as it grows and expands and welcomes all kinds of new, amazing attractions, the best parts seem to stay the same. EXCEPT for the closing and removal of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. Best. ride. ever. Still can't believe it's gone.

Entrance to the Magic Kingdom - yaayy!

The park was all decorated for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

So glad Nana was able to come with us to the Magic Kingdom on Friday morning. Those 'plans' I had made had us getting to the park entrance at 8:30 but we actually arrived at 10:00. No worries. As soon as we got there, we saw that the wait time to Meet the Princesses was only 15 minutes (liars), so we hopped in line. Almost an hour later, we finally made it into the room with Cinderella, Aurora and Belle, and let me say, the wait was absolutely worth it. Ellie Crabb's face upon first seeing the real Cinderella is something I'll remember forever. She was absolutely awestruck. It was so sweet. Sam really enjoyed meeting them too, more than I thought he would. I really didn't think Ellie would go sit with them and talk to them either, but they have such a sweet way about them and just gently led her around. It was precious.

In the Cinderella dress Aunt Stacy gave her for her birthday

Nana put her hair in a 'po-tail' and she loved it. Asks for a po-tail at least once a day now.

Ready for a day at Magic Kingdom!

Had to strap Minnie in :)

Ellie seeing the princesses for the first time...

Sam showed Cinderella all the pretty things on Ellie's dress

Next we met Aurora.

Ellie wanted to do EVERYTHING the princesses did. If they fluffed their dress, she fluffed her dress. And if they knelt down to take a picture, she sat on the ground with them! Sweet girl.

Lastly, we met Belle. Belle had really great skin. Or a lot of make-up. Either way, I was a little jealous of the peaches 'n cream. Whatever, she's probably 20, right?

We got to spend about 20 minutes total with all the princesses and I'll say it again, it was just precious. And even though it deviated from the Almighty Itinerary, I'm glad we did that first because shortly after we left, Ellie started to melt down.

For one, as soon as you walk out of the Princess Room, there are 8,917 pieces of overpriced merchandise that a toddler girl must. have. now. Including these hideous, jelly material, Cinderella character decorated 'glass slippers'. That were two sizes too small. But the Drizella inside her was gonna wear those shoes come hell or highwater, so she shoved her fat little toes down in them and pranced around the room. Then topped off her outfit with a $32.95 blue princess Mickey ears hat.

The Glass Slippers

Twirly princess

Princess Ellie was not very happy when we broke it to her that we were not buying shoes that didn't fit her. Three stores later, we finally found some in her size that were even sparklier! Time for Nana and Ellie to go back to the resort for naps... but first- a surprise parade! The Move It! Shake It! Celebrate! Parade was short and fun. I kept trying to memorize the routine. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna be a Disney dancer when I grow up.

Ellie finally got her nap. In her princess shoes, of course.