Magic Kingdom

Today was a Magic Kingdom day, but we were all so tired from the travel and Epcot day preceding, that we got a slow start. So, we may have to use another of our remaining days for a second Magic Kingdom visit. We shall see.

We began the day with a nice buffet breakfast at the hotel's cafe, which features what the Disney Company calls character dining. This Beach Club resort is all about water and swimming themes, so Donald stopped buy wearing a snazzy swimming outfit. (Why does Donald never have on any pants? He is a duck, I guess.)

Goofy wore some great flowered swim trunks and a life vest.

Minnie had on some kind of beach jacket and hat. All the characters are funny with their specific manner of walking and other body language.

We walked back over to Epcot, then through and back out of the park to board the Monorail for transportation to the Magic Kingdom. Of course for us, this train-like system is its own attraction.

Kathie and I thought Anders needed ears for the day, but he didn't want the traditional ones. He wanted the Buzz Lightyear version. His dad thought these were lame, but the boy has a mind of his own! Here is the proof positive that we were in the Magic Kingdom. For a Monday in April when most of the spring breaks would seem to be over, the park seemed very busy for us. There were long wait times for the most popular rides, but the new (for us) Fastpass system helps in avoiding the frustration of that.

Early in the day, we went to Adventureland to try to quench some of Anders' pirate fascination. There is a special shop there that lets kids take on their favorite pirate persona. Here is Anders after taking his pirate pledge (an involved series of promises and obligations).

He liked striking a gruff pose. Aaarrrrgh! Note is telescope, sword, medallion, and bandanna.

After doing the Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Safari rides, we took the train around to Fantasyland. Will was impressed that it was a legitimate steam engine. You always have to stop to admire trains.

Among other rides, some of us did the carousel. If you look closely, you may see a pirate approaching the camera on one of those horses.

Dinner for us was at a cafe in the Grand Floridian hotel, just a boat ride across the lake from the Magic Kingdom. The pirate wanted the Mickey Mouse desert with his dinner. He seemed to delight in nibbling away the various body parts, but then what would you expect of a pirate?

Back at the resort, it was time for a first dip in one of the pools. I think the pirate had "shaved" by this point.