As planned we were up and out by 7:15 this morning, and parked on the front row of the MK parking lot along with the other resort guests heading to the Extra Magic Hour at the Magic Kingdom. We walked to the TTC and then to the monorail where we waited on extra train to be seated up front with the driver.
One of the attendants told us that we were going to be "first family" today, and at first I thought that this might mean something major like special privileges or appearing in the parade, but it turned out to be a little certificate plus some stickers and cards!
We arrived at the front gates at a few minutes to eight, in time to see the opening ceremony before we joined in the Main Street march. Tomorrowland was our first destination and we were on Buzz Lightyear by five past. Nicky was the winner by a thousand but we were all pretty close (63 v 62 v 57). Second on the list was the Indy Speedway, where after Jake's successes from last time he had decided that he would have a car all to himself, so we processed around - Nicky at the front, Jake in the middle and me at the back. Carrying on anticlockwise we went to Fantasyland and to Philharmagic, which was as much fun as always. By the time we were out of the show it was just about nine, but we were still able to walk straight on to the Haunted Mansion ride.
Having collected fastpasses for Big Thunder Mountain (which we didn't actually use later) we decided that food was in order, having only had a quick snack of granola bars on our way out the door earlier, so it was back to Main Street for a trip to the bakery for hot chocolate and pastries. Then back to Tomorrowland and the Laughter Floor. Once again I proved to be a magnet for the cameras, and to my great joy I appeared on screen with the caption "Feels an irresistible urge to get up and dance", and it appeared again part way through the show. I thought that I acquitted myself very well, but the rest of my family may wish to tell a different story!
We had a ride on TTA, as we can always rely on there being no line there before heading back to Main Street to see the new parade go by. A couple of quick Adventureland attractions, Tiki Birds and Pirates of the Caribbean and then it was time to make our way out of the park and get the boat to Wilderness Lodge for lunch. Unfortunately we just missed a boat and had to wait ten minutes or so for the next one, which made us a few minutes late arriving at the Whispering Canyon Cafe, but it didn't seem to matter. It was skillet lunches all around, and we over indulged in ribs, mash, cornbread, corn, chicken and beans. Very yummy!
Whilst we were eating lunch the forecasted rain arrived, but by the time we had finished and had a look around it had stopped, so we got the boat back over to the Magic Kingdom, and had a look around in the shops before settling down to watch the new parade. Once we'd finished off our look in the shops, our only other ride of the day was a circuit on the train, and by this time we were ready to head back to the hotel. Nicky and Jake challenged me to a race, and took the bus, whilst I took the ferry to go and collect the car. They walked straight on to a bus and beat me back here by 25 minutes!
We've taken it easy for the rest of the day. I've just been out for a wander and to get my hot chocolate, and now it's time for bed.