Early morning is my absolute favorite time of day at WDW. Fresh, full of promise and, when you take a solo coffee walk, time to reflect and immerse yourself in the "being there." This day dawned no different in that regard, but we had no time to linger today! It was Morning EMH day at the Magic Kingdom, and since scheduled park opening was at 8:00, we would
get in at 7:00!! And since it was nearly the end of Daylight Savings, it was still dark at 7am....! Freaky.
We had chatted as a family before bed the previous night and Buzz and I knew the boys wouldn't get getting up quite that early. But he and I were, and it didn't take long to get ourselves dressed and ready for the day (thank goodness those boys sleep hard! We tried to be quiet but I still felt bad, tiptoeing around them, Slinky especially). Because of the super early hour, I didn't head out ahead of time to get coffee, but rather we stopped at the Rix Cafe (this would become our favorite quick food stop for the weekend) and got them on our way to the bus stop. I will interject here that we opted not to get the refillable mugs this trip (the math didn't make it work in our favor; on longer trips we spend more time at the resort, but not for a 4-day trek). Also, I realize now this was some months ago, but when we were there, there were only the handle-less type. So we got our paper-cup coffees and headed out through the lobby to the main bus stop. We were the first to arrive there; I think it was about 6:15am at this point. A few more folks joined us but it was in no way crowded! The MK bus rolled around within 10 minutes and we were on our way!!
https://youtu.be/y2WHOjCh5ys
(part of the opening ceremony)
I've always thought the opening of the Magic Kingdom was indeed one of the most magical events in the World. And it is. But in the pre-dawn of a warm Florida morning, with all the lights sparkling, it takes on a whole new persona. We watched from the tree that's near the front, off to the left. Great viewing! Once inside we knew right where we were headed: 7 Dwarfs Mine Train! But we did stop for a PhotoPass op....
From there we kept on towards the castle and then ducked just to the right of it. This put us in Fantasyland with just a quick hook to the left to the Mine Train entrance. The wait was only listed at 15 minutes, and honestly so much of that was just winding back and forth through the looong queue space! We ended up in the first car, 2nd row (I thought that was cool until later in the trip when we rode in the very back.....!!!).
Our PP video and pic: (compare us in the 2nd row to the couple in the very front.... Clearly Buzz and I are having the time of our lives, but those two?! Maybe they were still asleep. He looks downright bored.)
https://youtu.be/Dnb8oVkd6yc
This was our first-ever trip through the Mines and we LOVED IT!!! What a great ride. It was over too quickly, but such a blast!
From there we headed across to share in the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, took a flying ship to the second star to the right and straight on til morning, and I'm sure we did one more ride but for the life of me I can't recall what it was. I do know that by the time EMH was almost over, we had logged 4 attractions including the Mine Train and Peter Pan's Flight with little to no wait! And that, dear children, is why Morning EMH is the LegoMom's favorite park time
(it used to be late night in the MK, but not this trip..... More on that as our weekend progresses).
About this time the boys texted that they were getting off the bus at the MK and would soon be entering the park. We headed down Main Street to wait by the Emporium.
https://youtu.be/s0iCJ4GhU-o
(Main St. clip)
Once inside and we met up with them, everyone was now quite hungry so we made our way to the Main Street Bakery/Starbucks. But first, I made a stop in the Emporium for this guy:
I have wanted a Monochrome Mickey for the last umpteen times I've been to the MK, and was not leaving without one this time!!
Anyway, on to breakfast. There was a line inside but it moved quickly. Don't recall what everyone got but I know it was all good! Buzz and I happily partook of our 2nd coffee of the day. From here we headed to Tomorrowland, since we had some time before our first FP at the Haunted Mansion. We rode Buzz Lightyear twice in a row (crowds still minimal), then they boys rode Space Mountain while Buzz and I took a more leisurely trip on the WEDway. From here we went to the Tomorrowland Speedway, and again, not a long wait at all. It was fun having everyone in their own car; last time the boys were still too small to drive!
(Here you can see how seriously I take my job of saving the Universe from the Evil Emperor Zurg. Buzz just seems to be staring out into space. Literally.)
(Slinky is clearly having the best day ever here....)
(I have no earthly idea re: the expression on Alien's face there in the middle..... Slinky, in the front, looks psyched. Alien, no so much!)
After this we continued through Fantasyland but by now the Mine Train was up to about a 70-minute wait so we decided to save it for another time. Our Haunted Mansion FP time had just opened up so we headed that way. This was the first time the guys had seen it since it's last update (i.e. the new ghosts that ride along at the end) so that was extra fun for them. It's Buzz's favorite ride in the MK.
After the HM I made everyone go see the bathrooms at the Tangled rest area! They were suitably impressed. I like the apples with bites taken out of them. We still had time before our lunch ADR at Be Our Guest and they boys wanted to raft over to Tom Sawyer Island. So we did. They always loved it over there, and I like the little respite from the busyness of the rest of the park. We walked all the trails and explored the caves (last time there, our oldest son scared the living daylights out of Buzz by backtracking in one of the tunnels and coming back up behind him.... ). There was lots of sadness for me though when I looked out across the river and instead of seeing my favorite train whipping around the track, I saw scaffolding and workers... ::sigh:: No Big Thunder this trip.
(Pink-band Proof that Alien - who hates having his picture taken - was indeed on Tom Sawyer Island this day.
)
(Monochrome Mickey Goes to TSI)
Before we knew it, the time for our lunch was coming up so we departed the Island to head back to Fantasyland!
*****
Next time: Day 1, Part 2 and the Best. Lunch. Ever.
Buzz Lightyear: Don't worry, Woody. In just a few hours you'll be sitting around a campfire with Andy making delicious hot Schmoes.
Woody: They're called "S'mores", Buzz....
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