Disney World Part 6--Animal Kingdom and Prince Charming

We knew we were going to be at Disney World for Christmas but we decided that since the oldest kids were 5 they wouldn't know if we celebrated Christmas a few days late. So we didn't even tell them it was Christmas and I added a couple of extra days to Lexie's countdown. So our plan was to hit Animal Kingdom again for the morning Magic Hours. We figured most people would be going to Magic Kingdom so were hoping for decreased crowds.

Christmas morning dawns and this is what we wake up too. You would think that that would deter us. But no we all got ready as planned and headed down to the bus station to wait for the bus.

The buses are suppose to run every few minutes and we were seriously down there for maybe 25 minutes and no buses had come. We started getting worried that the parks were closed because of the rain or something. We were also worried about the park getting crowded before we got there. We didn't need to worry on either account. The bus did come and pretty much nobody showed up at the park. We spent the morning hours running around DinoLand. The kids probably rode Dino Dumbo 50 times. They never had to get off they just kept going around and around. And the best part was when we arrived to the park it had essentially stopped raining but man was it humid and hot.

After Dinoland we headed to watch the 3D show A Bug's Life. It is pretty scary for little kids but mine did find. And then we headed to the Lion King show. That was amazing. But when we came out it was raining again. So we stopped and had breakfast/lunch. Once again no lines at the eating place which was a first all week.

This is what our stroller looked like because of the rain. Trying to keep it and Ryan dry was a bit tricky. But we managed.

On the way out of the park we had to get a picture in front of the tree. My kids weren't too happy about it they were ready to leave.

I had visited the Disney Store before the vacation and through a friends discount got all of these shirts really cheap. So we dressed them all alike on this day. The two youngest weren't happy about it.

We were also able to ride the Safari ride (again no line) and the kids loved it. We saw tons of animals which was quite cool.

And another great part was that after that we headed for my favorite ride Expedition Everest that always has a long long line. But on this day the line was 15 min. That was awesome. We rode it a few times and then it was stifling hot and more crowded so we headed homes for naps.

That night our dinner was with Cinderella and the Stepsisters. We found out when we got there that Prince Charming was also going to be there. How cool is that? I mean even I was excited about that. He did look a lot like Prince Charming and Lexie was SOOO excited to meet him.

Josh not as excited. Eric actually had to fish him out from under the table for this picture.

Come on Josh this is Cinderella--why can't you be happy? Ryan understood who it was.

The Stepmom actually was in character the whole time. She isn't very nice. But the kids liked her. Especially Josh. Maybe he found his true heroine.

The stepsisters were all in character too and once again Joshua happy to see the sister. Um kid these are the not nice people.

Okay maybe he has finally caught on or maybe he is tired of pictures.

Because we were such a large group we had two circular tables right in the middle of the restaurant. We didn't realize how perfect those seats were until they announced that Cindrella and Prince Charming were going to dance. And they danced right in front of us. We couldn't have had more perfect seats. Lexie was hanging all over them being so close.

After Cindrella and Prince Charming danced they then turned to ask kids to dance. Remember the perfect seats. Our table was the only one they hit. Cinderella asked my nephew Ethan but he didn't want to at first. And then this parent had brought her little girl over by us and Prince Charming asked her. The nerve. But when he was done he asked Lexie. She was absolutely in Heaven. I don't think I have seen her more excited over something. It was quite funny though because she thought dancing with him meant jumping up and down in front of him (like they do on music videos and such) but finally she caught on that she was suppose to hold his hands and dance.

Look at that face. And he is truly acting the prince.

Then to make things even better he twirled her. She is probably one of the luckiest 5 year olds around to have actually gotten to dance with Prince Charming on Christmas day. It truly was great. It made her night and she talked about it all the time. After they were done he moved onto my niece Clara and she became the luckiest 4 year old around.

Of course the girls had to take a picture. Remember earlier in the day we were all out in the rain and so we do look a little washed out.

And at the end we got all the kids a picture with Prince Charming.

It was a great meal and I was so happy with how the characters interacted with my kids. It made their night. After that we headed back to our rooms to pack because we were leaving the next day. And then we took the kids to watch UP on an outside screen along the beach. I love that movie and then we were able to watch the fireworks again from our hotel. If I had known that I wouldn't have rushed to the park the night before.