Disney World day 13: Date night

On Abi's birthday night they were having the extra magic hours at night in the Magic Kingdom. That meant the park was open until around 1am I think.

Our 7th anniversary was just days away (we would be home by then) so Doug and I decided that we should take advantage of having my parents with us and have a date night.

After returning to our rooms after dinner we got the girls ready for bed, got Maddy to sleep, and then my mom came over to our room to hang out.

She and Abi read books and had fun hanging together and then she got Abi to bed and was able to read the rest of the night.

It was so weird to get on the buses by ourselves and go into the park.

There was only one other person on the bus with us and the park was so empty.

After the crowded day I was a little surprised but it was freezing cold and I think that scared a lot of people away!

The park is just so beautiful at night, especially with all of the Christmas lights....

We had promised Abi we would find Lucifer after Lady Tremaine had told her about his statue. I thought she meant by the statue of Cinderella by the little fountain but he wasn't there so finally we asked someone. They sent us down a little path next to the castle that I didn't even know existed. There along the path was the wishing well... and Lucifer.

the near empty park...

Doug and I wanted to ride as many rides as possible and also be able to ride a few that we had skipped (like Space Mountain) because they were scarier.

We were only there for about 2 hours but we were able to ride (with NO lines):

Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (which is awesome at night!), Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan's Flight, Dumbo, Snow White's Scary Adventure (I had heard this was scary for kids so we had skipped it. It is not terrifying but the witch is all over the place and pops out at you so I'm pretty sure Abi would have hated it.), Mickey's Philharmagic, the Carousel of Progress (this one we had forgotten about during the day which was unfortunate because I think my parents would have really liked it), and Astro Orbiter which was miserable because it was up so high and it was so cold.

After that we called it a night. On our way out of the park we caught some late fireworks, the castles 'kiss' goodnight, and got a photopass picture of just the two of us.

It was such a fun night. We felt like a bunch of teenagers running around without having to worry about strollers and diaper bags and height limits. Plus the last time we had gone on a date was last summer when we were in Utah so it was good to be able to do that. Thanks Mom!

Next up: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Disney World day 13: 1900 Park Fare dinner

Our dinner reservations were back over at the Grand Floridian at the 1900 Park Fare Restaurant (this is where we had the breakfast with alice and Mary Poppins). We decided to drive over with me sitting on the floor again.

This time our dinner would be with Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine (the stepmother) and the two stepsisters.

I told Abi that the stepsisters and stepmother were much nicer now so she wouldn't be afraid of them. What we didn't know was that one of the step sisters would become one of her favorite people!

When we arrived they were very crowded and we ended up waiting over an hour. Their computer system went down and so people were getting in before others that were there first. It was a mess. Luckily, Doug kept bugging them about our reservation and finally they took us right in when he told them it was Abi's birthday and how long we had been waiting.

During our wait we got a few more Photo pass pictures of the family in front of the tree.

I got a picture of the gingerbread house. I really meant to buy a gingerbread house out of it and I completely forgot!

The girls kept occupied by watching the cartoons...

When we got into the restaurant the first person we met was Prince Charming. Abi was a little shy with him but did talk a little.

Anastasia came to our table next. I love this picture. She was really funny and right before this picture Maddy did one of her really loud squeals. Anastasia made this face at her and then did it back.

Abi asked her if she would sing Sweet Sweet Nightingale for her and Anastasia said, "Why don't we sing it together?" So they did. I thought we were getting video of it but we didn't. It was so cute.

Anastasia left and then a few minutes later came back over and told Abi to come with her.

They were playing some music and Cinderella and Prince Charming were dancing. When they stopped dancing Prince Charming came over to Abi and bowed.

Then he asked her to dance with him.

and she said,

"No thank you."

She told Anastasia she was too shy and Anastasia said, "Well, I wouldn't want to dance with him either. He's boring."

She asked Abi if she would like to dance with her instead. Of course Abi wanted to so they twirled all over.

A few minutes later Anastasia led the kids in a parade around the room clapping and skipping. It was a lot of fun. Obviously Anastasia has become a favorite with us!

I don't have pictures of our dinner but it was typical dinner buffet food. When it was time to get dessert Abi wanted a little of everything. Of course she didn't eat most of it, but at least she had the option!

Lady Tremaine came by next. Abi asked her where Lucifer was. She said, "Well I couldn't very well bring him to dinner, could I?"

She told her that if she wanted to see Lucifer there was a statue of him next to the Wishing Well near the castle. Abi wouldn't be going back to the park but Doug and I would so I told her I would look for it.

Maddy was enjoying all the food and dancing. This was a game she was playing with Grandpa...

Cinderella came by next...

Next Drusilla came by and told Abi to keep an eye on her blue pearl necklace so that 'thief' Cinderella wouldn't steal it.

Prince Charming came by one more time and Abi told him she was just shy. He was very sweet to her... and very charming.

On our way out of the hotel we had to stop at the carriages again.

It was such a great night and Abi had a very happy birthday!!

Up next: Date night at the Magic Kingdom

Disney World day 13: Birthday party

When we got back to Pop Century I sent the girls ahead with my mom and Doug and my dad and I went into the food court to pick up a cake. They have them in the fridges in there all the time and while it was more than I would usually spend ($20) I didn't think it was that bad for a birthday cake.

Our room was being cleaned and we couldn't get in there so I couldn't get to the presents yet. We went into my parents room and I gave Abi a new Aurora Polly set to play with while we waited.

She also changed back into her skirt and the shirt I made.

As soon as they were done cleaning I went back into the room and got her presents. Mickey had left her a birthday card in our room so I brought that in as well. I decorated the cake with an Aurora and candles and we began the party...

My parents got her a Leapster 2, some batteries, and a cute princess bowl.

We had talked about this beforehand so we got her a few Leapster games.

We also gave her the Dora book, a princess book, and the Aurora polly set. Maddy gave her the Cinderella polly set.

We sang Happy Birthday and Abi blew out the candles. Then we let her cut the cake.

It was a really good cake!

After the party Doug went to take a nap and I hung out with my parents for a while and let the girls play.

Then I left so they could take naps too. I put Maddy down in our room and Abigail and I went to the arcade. We got some more Disney magic with the machines and then everyone started giving us tickets. There was a guy there servicing the machines and he kept bringing me long rows of tickets and other people playing were just giving them to her. By the time it was over we had over two hundred tickets ( we earned about 50 probably). Abi picked out a little game and a mini chalkboard from the prize area.

By this time it was almost time to go to dinner so we rushed back to our room to get ready.

Up next: Turning down Prince Charming!

Disney World day 13: Disney magic

Doug and Abi ran off to watch the Philharmagic show and my parents and I browsed with Maddy. I was able to get their birthday charms for their charm bracelets. (I get one every year on their birthday that is special and specific to that year so I can make a bracelet when they turn 8 or 12).

After they caught back up with us we were just standing around talking for a few minutes watching Abi walk on the golden line on the pavement.

These three women came up to us....

the one talking to Abi totally looked like Ashley Greene (the girl who plays Alice in the twilight movies). She asked Abi what some of her favorite rides were. Abi told her. She asked Abi if she could have a ticket to ride any ride what would it be. Abi said Winnie the Pooh because we hadn't gone it yet today. So, the girl wrote out a special fast pass for Winnie the Pooh.

That was awesome.

We also spent some time checking out the window displays. All the shops have fun displays if you take the time to check them out. These were some of our favorite Castle Couture ones...

Now it was time to go take the replacement picture with Cinderella so we went back into the castle for that and then came back out with the intention of heading over to Winnie the pooh.

But, first we had to stop to see the Fairy Godmother!

Abi thanked her for the dress and shoes.

Then we went to Winnie the pooh. I was so glad we had got that fast pass because the line was crazy! We got on in about ten minutes with the fast pass and had so much fun riding it again.

Next Abi wanted to ride the Tea Cups again. I had her ride with Doug and my mom while my dad and I went to get in line to meet Rapunzel and Flynn. We had seen where they meet children earlier in the day.

We were in line for a few minutes when they came by and told us that they were leaving and wouldn't be back out until 3. That was a few hours away and Abi had mentioned wanting to go back to the room to play. I told her when they met up with us and although she was disappointed (we all loved Tangled) she still wanted to go back to the room. It was very cold!

I told her I thought that was a good decision and maybe we could meet her someday.

I got some shots as we walked past the caste...

On our way out we ended up making another stop because we spotted Pinnochio and Gepetto!

I got some pictures of the Mickey's Christmas Carol window display while we were in line...

Meeting Pinocchio!

On the way to our bus a cast member stopped Abi and told her she had something for her. She handed her a huge dress up diamond ring. It was so nice.

Then my mom invented a walking game with Abi. They would take baby steps, then giant steps, then backwards steps, etc.

Abi loved this.

In this next picture I think they were doing crossed steps. I love this picture because of how Abi has her head thrown back with laughter.

It was such a fun day at the park but we were all ready to get back to the room and relax!

Next up: A birthday party