Day 2

Next I had to buy an autograph book and pen for Beth, something we had previously forgotten. We also have a photograph taken at 8.05AM, by a clock at the bottom of a deserted Main Street. It all looks very clean as the pavement had just been scrubbed.

After confirming our priority seating we were escorted to the round elevator by a Cast Member who was dressed as a footman in nice pantaloons. He wouldn't tell me where I could buy some, which was a bit mean. We arrived in the 'Wonka-vator' and were placed in the good hands of Lady Rhonda, our serving wench who had finished off her maidens' outfit with a pair of Doctor Martin's boots.

As we dined on a feast of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes and muffins, whilst being served coffee and fresh orange in goblets, we were visited by a host of characters including Aurora-The Sleeping Beauty, Princess Jasmine, Cinderella, Peter Pan and Snow White (who even sang for us and sounded just like she did in the movie). They all spent enough time with us to make a fuss of Beth who had insisted on wearing her long pink Princess dress for the occasion, along with her new training shoes. All were happy to pose for as many photos as we wanted, about two rolls altogether, and San complained of aching cheeks through smiling so much.

Once we had had our fill and even got some muffins to go, we made our way downstairs where we came across the Fairy Godmother sitting on a golden throne-cue more photos.

Beth then got changed into a more practical dress and we left the castle and made our way into a still empty Fantasyland after a very memorable hour or so. What a way to start a Disney Vacation! Could this be topped? Read on.

Our first ride of the day just had to be Cinderella's Golden Carousel, Beth's favourite ride in Disneyland Paris, then on to the new Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ride with only a five minute wait. This was very impressive not just because it is new but because we are all Pooh fanatics. Upon exiting we stumbled across a queue to meet Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger and Pooh. Our luck continued as we entered the character greeting area, (I think it was the queuing area for the old 26,000 leagues attraction), when the queue behind us was told to wait as the characters were due to 'change over`. We spent about 15-20 minutes taking photos, getting autographs and dancing with my personal favourite Tigger. We kept the characters out a lot longer than they should have been, much to the annoyance of the Cast Member who was trying to usher them out, whilst Tigger kept swinging on the railings and dancing with Pooh. They were then replaced by 'fresh` characters who were even bouncier than the first ones. (Two Pooh's for the price of one).

I took Beth on Dumbo, in a pink car of course, whilst San went into the shop next to the Winnie the Pooh ride. Then we met up and went to Ariel's Grotto where Beth cooled off in the water fountains whilst we waited in the queue to meet Ariel, (What a Babe!).

Next we went to Peter Pans Flight where the Peter Pan character appeared and rode in the car behind us, then on to Legend of the Lion King. After riding It's a Small World we made our way to Mickey's Toontown Fair to find the shop that sold cotton candy. Whilst we were there we visited Minnies House, Mickey's House and went through the shop to the Toontown Hall of Fame.

Beth had made a greeting card for Minnie and had been carrying it since we left the hotel at 7.30 that morning and not let it out of her sight, except when she was on a ride and either San or I held it for her. We therefore had to stand in the longest queue to meet Minnie so that Beth could give her the 'I Love You` card, even tough the other queues to meet Donald, Goofy and Pluto were a lot shorter. The queuing area at Toontown Hall of Fame is by far the hottest, most cramped area I have had the pleasure of standing in for over 30 minutes and would benefit from a rehab.

The wait was worth it however, when we saw the look on Beth's face as she handed Minnie her homemade card. We were in luck again as we were the last in a group to enter the greeting area and got lots of photos of Beth hugging Minnie as the character really made a fuss of receiving her card. We even got a picture of both Chip and Dale standing either side of Beth. (Who says you can't get two characters to pose for a picture together?)

After visiting Donald's Boat to cool down and chickening out on Goofy's Barnstormer, we caught the Walt Disney World Railroad to Main Street. It was now about 1 O'clock so we headed indoors to cool off. I can't remember the name of the place but you can take photos with 101 Dalmatians and Toy Story backgrounds. Here we managed to meet all seven of the dwarfs and got their autographs, which came in very handy at MGM Studios later in the trip. We then set up camp at the kerb for the 3 O'clock Remember the Magic Parade.

Beth insisted on putting her Princess dress back on for the Parade and as the first float passed us it stopped and the characters got off. The Handsome Prince then proceeded to pick Beth out to dance in the Parade. (That is the only way to top a character meal inside the castle).

San was that busy crying her eyes out that she had only taken three photos of Beth dancing in a circle with Cinderella, the Fairy Godmother, the Handsome Prince and two other children before she came running back to us in tears, completely overwhelmed. I must admit I also had a lump in my throat. Afterwards Beth assured us that it was the same Cinderella that we had met in the morning. "That's why she picked me," said Beth. (Any thoughts on this?). My favourite characters in the parade are the animals from the Lion King float. We had seen these costumes before in Disneyland Paris and thought they were amazing then.

Following the parade we returned to the Transportation and Ticketing Centre via the ferryboat, completely shattered, but thoroughly satisfied after a day when dreams really did come true.----- AND THAT WAS ONLY OUR FIRST DAY!!!!!

After a swim and a feed we conjured up enough energy to take a walk over to Pointe Orlando which was directly opposite our hotel on International Drive. We had a quick look around FAO Schwarz, the Barbie Shop and some of the other shops before going back to the hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Tomorrow:- EPCOT, (or EPHOT)