We were really hoping Nina would be completely recovered and ready to take on Disney, but she had a rough morning starting about 5:30 a.m., so we left her to sleep in.
Elise, Addie, and I took off for a second day at Magic Kingdom. We walked straight over to Fantasyland to pick up fastpasses for the Voyage of the Little Mermaid. Then we hopped in line to meet Ariel. Can you imagine sitting in that mermaid outfit? It looks like it would feel so awkward.
Then we rode the new Little Mermaid ride. It is really nice. It is essentially a clone of the Nemo ride at Epcot, but it tells the story of the Little Mermaid. It is cute and well done. After that, we got a call from J.C. that Nina was feeling better, had kept down some food, and they were on their way to meet us! Yea!
Next we caught up with Gaston. He is absolutely hysterical! By far, he gave the best character interaction of the trip. The pictures with him cracked me up too.
Then we were off to Adventureland to meet up with J.C. and Nina. We were so excited she was able to come. She had to stay off any spinny, fast, or up-and-down rides, but fortunately Magic Kingdom still has lots of options. We picked up fastpasses for Jungle Cruise and then went on Pirates of the Caribbean. With Addie being such a huge fan of Jake and the Neverland Pirates, she was really excited about going on Pirates of the Caribbean. I wasn't sure how she would like it since the pirates are quite different from the smiling, friendly animated variety, but she had a ball. Toward the end of the ride, we got stuck for about 10 minutes here.
I had never ridden that ride before, so I didn't know if we were supposed to be stuck or not, but I started to wonder if we were going to have to get out and swim. Eventually, they came on with an announcement that we were indeed stuck and would start moving in a few minutes.
As with so many rides, Disney marketing has mastered the art of ending every ride in a gift shop themed to that ride. (This is an awful picture, but it was so great to see a smile on Nina's face!)
Pirates of the Caribbean dumped us out in the pirate themed gift shop, so Addie left there the proud owner of Jake to accompany Izzy who was purchased earlier in the week. As we were walking over to Jungle Cruise, a pirate cast member outside of Pirates of the Caribbean said to Addie, "Yo Ho! You have Jake and Izzy there!" Then he completely mangled the names of two other characters in the show while trying to tell Addie she needed those too. Elise gave him the classic 11 year old rolled eyes look. I think the pirate characters need some Jake and the Neverland Pirates education if they plan to chat with five year olds.
Next up was Jungle Cruise. It was so nice that there were two rides in easy walking distance that were slow, flat, non-nauseating boat rides... just right for poor Nina.
We stopped at Pecos Bill's for an early lunch. That was pretty forgettable. I'm not sure I'd go there again. Then, Elise and J.C. headed off to Big Thunder Mountain which was clearly not an option for Nina, so the little girls and I went over to Tomorrowland for a ride on the People Mover, another slow, mostly flat ride.
Nina needed a little rest, so we sat down with a snack and waited for J.C. and Elise. Then it was off to the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor which I absolutely love. That show ranks up there as one of my favorite attractions at Magic Kingdom.
Elise really wanted to meet the princesses. (Yes, Elise... really, that wasn't a typo... she's the oldest of the three, but the only one who still loves princesses). I walked over to grab fastpasses for the princesses while everybody else watched the parade. Then we all took one more spin on the People Mover.
Nina really truly had no interest in the princesses whatsoever, so she and J.C. stayed out on the porch while I took the other two in.
Next we had to race off for our reservations at the new restaurant in Beast's castle, Be Our Guest. I had promised Addison that she could ride the carousel before dinner, so even though we were tight for time, JC, Elise, and Addison hopped on the carousel for a quick ride while Nina and I checked in for dinner. As Nina and I waited for them, we got a kick out of the people who walked up to the check-in desk every couple of minutes to ask how long the wait was. Then, they seemed completely shocked when they were told that the restaurant was fully booked and couldn't take walk-ins. Do they not realize that all of us dining there that night had made reservations 180 days earlier?
I really hate to even share pictures of this restaurant because my pictures do not do it justice at all. It is gorgeous... like breathtakingly, perfectly, wonderfully gorgeous. You really have to experience it in person.
The food was very good too. J.C. got the pork rack chop which he said was fabulous. Elise and I both ordered the sauteed shrimp and scallops in puff pastry. It was very good, but I think I might try something different another time. It wasn't a must-get. Addison got the awful grilled chicken again. I think Disney needs to take that off their kids' menus. I know they are trying to be healthier, but it just isn't good. Go back to good ol' chicken nuggets. Poor Nina was starting to tank, so she didn't eat any of her pasta. The desserts were gorgeous. Elise and I shared the chocolate cupcake and the lemon cream puff. We both actually preferred the cream puff - shocking!
Elise was the only one brave enough to visit with Beast.
Beast's castle looks really neat lit up at night.
After dinner, we offered Nina the option to stay and watch fireworks since she had missed them the night before. She was wiped out though, so we headed back to the resort for our last night in Florida.
Day 6 Favorites:
Addison: the boat ride (Pirates of the Caribbean) and the other boat ride (Jungle Cruise)
Nina: getting to go to Magic Kingdom
Elise: Big Thunder Mountain
J.C.: Big Thunder Mountain
Ann: Be Our Guest and having Nina with us
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