Disney Day Three: Voiceless in the Magic Kingdom

[przed]

Today, I woke up with no voice. Or more precisely, with a squeaky, intermittent version of my usual voice. This is because not only did a scream like a maniac on the Tower of Terror, but I did the same thing on the Expedition Everest coaster at the Animal Kingdom. All that screaming seems to have had a delayed reaction and totally done in my voice. And I didn't help it by going on the Barnstormer kids coaster with Ros four times in a row this morning and screaming my head off just for the fun of it. (Fingers crossed I've got a day or two before I teach once I get back to work.)

We continue to have a grand time here at the Happiest Place on Earth(TM). One thing Ros has gotten into this time 'round that she didn't do much at all two years ago is meeting the characters and getting autographs. It started yesterday morning when we were at Hollywood studios early and accidentally ran into Stitch.


The person playing Stitch was brilliant. He was mischievous and funny, and pulled different stunts with the pens of every kid encountered. (Ros' pen got shoved in his ear.)

In general, all the performers doing the characters are really good at knowing what to do to make a kid's day.

Yesterday, we did the princess dinner at Cinderella's castle, which was really more fun than it should be. You're greeted in the main hall by Cinderella herself.


Ros' little cousin flat out refused to pose with Cinderella for her photo package, so the Sweetie and I did a group shot with Ros and the princess. No, I'm not going to post that one. (Let's just say it's not the worst photo of me in existence, but I'm looking more than a wee bit tired.)

Ariel was one of the other princesses who circulated at the meal. All of them were personable and lovely with the kids. (We did a princess meal at the Epcot Norwegian castle last time, and while Ariel that time was fantastic with Ros and her friend, the Aurora looked like she was having to go to her happy place to make it through the gig.) I love the smile on Ros' face here. It's pure happiness.


This morning we got to the Magic Kingdom not long after opening, and whilst we were waiting for my SIL and niece to show up, Ros decided to check out the Circus-themed character meet and greet. We got to see Daisy...


...and Minnie. (I love how Minnie has the princess pose with that one hand down pat.)


Ros really, REALLY wanted to meet Elsa and Anna from Frozen, but those FastPasses were totally impossible to score. But the Cinderella/Rapunzel ones were dead easy, so meeting them was Ros' consolation prize. (She noticed that the Cinderella from the princess meal and the Cinderella here were different people. We'd wondered if she would.)


I'm not sure what Ros thought, but for the Sweetie and me, the best character experience was Cinderella's evil stepmother and stepsisters. They were hilarious. They were mock mean to all the kids but in a weirdly good-natured way. (They took the wrap Ros had in her hair from her babysitter and made spiral patterns out of it on her head. Ros thought this was hilarious.)


And as a bonus, here's a photo of the steampunk Maleficent dragon from the Fantasy parade at the Magic Kingdom. I'm far too proud of myself for correctly guessing when it was going to breathe fire near our position.

Comments

[asilia.livejournal.com]

I'm loving the pics - Ros looks so happy and excited :D

[przed.livejournal.com]

She was totally happy and excited. It was a great trip.

[miwahni.livejournal.com]

Ros really looks like she's having a ball. And well done for timing your dragon photo so well - that's one fantastic dragon.

[przed.livejournal.com]

She definitely had fun with the characters. And that dragon pic did work out, didn't it? *g*

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

Wow, great pictures, especially of the dragon. And Ros got to meet Stitch! How cool is that?

[przed.livejournal.com]

Stitch is totally my favourite Disney character. I rather regret that I didn't get a picture with him myself.

[just-ann-now.livejournal.com]

Wow, Steampunk Maleficent! COOL.

[przed.livejournal.com]

The dragon was the coolest thing in the parade by far.

[moth2fic.livejournal.com]

That all sounds and looks fabulous!!

Not something we could ever do with Jamie - he's been diagnosed as high-functioning autistic (gifted academically and socially retarded...) and one thing he panics at is anyone dressed up like Stitch or Minnie Mouse - Mickey and Minnie came to the kids' 'gym' where we take him and he hid behind his mum. His parents took him to a 'play' about Numberjacks (a TV show he loves) and he screamed and had to be taken out.

Take care of your voice! No more screaming and not much talking whilst you give your throat a chance to recover!!

[przed.livejournal.com]

We didn't want to do Disney until two years ago because Ros had the same issue with people in costumes. We'd take her to the local museum and she'd freak out when their mascot in a goofy dinosaur costume would come around. She did finally turn a corner on that when she hit five.

I do hope you have lots of autism services available for Jamie. I have a few friends with kids on the autism spectrum and it's a full-time job for them advocating to get their kids what they need.

My voice is mostly back, though I just taught an hour and a half session and my voice is very unhappy. I'll have to see what it's like when I have to coach soccer next week.

[moth2fic.livejournal.com]

From (bitter) experience it's better not to use your voice at all while it recovers. I suppose you could maybe coach with a whistle and red and yellow cards? I found kids listened quite well when I was whispering...

There are plenty of services now that he's diagnosed. That took some time, and because his high academic abilities to some extent mask his differences, we've only just got that (at 6). But yes, his mum has to spend a lot of time talking to the school, the psychs, going on courses, dealing with Jamie, etc.
Still, he's also assessed as gifted in maths, IT and English, and he's well above average with most things except handwriting, and team games (the skills are there but not the ability to work with others). So there's plenty to be proud of. However, Disney would be a nightmare!!

[msmoat.livejournal.com]

Character interactions! I love the breakfast/dinners with characters. I remember being the shy kid who could never get close to the popular characters the one time I went to Disney as a kid. So this "new" thing of having them come round to the table? Best gift ever. I had a grand time taking my nieces and nephews to these! (And, depending on where you went, the food was good. Or not. *g*)

It looks like you all are having a grand time! Ros is clearly loving every moment in these photos. I am very impressed with your dragon anticipation ability. Thank you for sharing these with us!

[przed.livejournal.com]

I was also the shy kid, so I can completely appreciate the new form of character interaction. And I have to say, we hit pretty good food at the Princess meal this time and last time. (The Norwegian castle has the best food. Lots of smoked salmon and other fish. Yum!)

We had a great time, though I am now utterly knackered. And I've come back to having to get Ros' soccer team sorted out. Yay?

[saintvic.livejournal.com]

Really glad you all continue to have a good time and sounds like the people playing the characters are fantastic.

[przed.livejournal.com]

We had a fab time. I'll have to find the time to post about our last busy day. (Sooo. Tired.)

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

You all are certainly makin' the rounds! Great pics.

[przed.livejournal.com]

We certainly did.

See you next week!

[bluespirit-star.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for these updates - I'm loving living vicariously through you (though not the Tower of Terror - that sounded way too scary for me! *g*)

[przed.livejournal.com]

It's been fun doing the reports every night. Now I just have to find time to cover the last day! (I'm knackered, and have to get the uniforms to all the members of Ros' new soccer team this week. Wheee.)

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

Hee! Loving the photos. I wonder if the ladies who play the Princesses rotate or do they get cast and stick with it? And does it pay less to be the Ugly Sister? Oh, inner-five-year-old me is getting so much vicarious happy from these pictures *g*

[przed.livejournal.com]

I suspect they get cast as a princess or character based on personality and looks. If it was up to me, I'd pay the Ugly Stepsisters the most. They were a hoot!

[sooguy.livejournal.com]

Awesome pics. Sounds like a good time. Rebecca and I really want to take the kids one year.

Really need to pick your brain about logistics and cost.

Hope you're fully recovered from your adventures!

[przed.livejournal.com]

There are ways to minimize the cost, but Disney ain't a cheap place to go. And they're experts at pulling as much money out of you as they can manage.

I'm sort of recovered, but now organizing Ros' soccer team. Soccer season starts next Tuesday!

[norfolkdumpling.livejournal.com]

I'm just catching up and have really enjoyed reading your Disney posts! Sounds like all of you had a fab time. Great photos too! :)