Day 37- Flag Retreat Ceremony and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom

Someone asked me what my favorite thing is out of all of Walt Disney World. Today, we walked into Magic Kingdom and the Main Street Philharmonic band was standing off to the left, by the Main Street Chamber of Commerce. My kids said that they must have been waiting to start the daily Flag Retreat Ceremony. Oh, I love this. As the band starts playing the patriotic music, you will see people stop and honor our country’s flag. These are some of the most heartfelt moments of the day. Look, there is our veteran that is being honored, an older man, a hero of our country. Today, I am able to step close and see the face of this man that has served our country. He is very emotional as they hand him the American flag that flew over Magic Kingdom today. When the enormous group of patrons begins to sing “God Bless America”, he can barely hold back his tears. As they turn to walk down Main Street, he is so full of emotion as he sees all that have come to honor him! I wish you could see this and hear those that say, “Thank you!” This is my most favorite part of Disney life! I love this moment to honor our country and those who served!

Next, we are heading for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland.

Lunchtime! We stop at Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Café for a salad and a cheeseburger! We were enjoying our food indoors when this (big) little white Ibis came flying into the restaurant. Of course, a little dude had to chase it, just as the cast member came to let it out the doors. Then, it became really funny as they bird flew across the room. Twinkie headed for the door to hold it open as the Cast Member helped move the bird towards the door. The little dude just started to chase the bird again, just as the Cast Member shooed the bird out the doors.  Cheering was heard all around us as the bird flew outside! Funny stuff! Thanks, Twinkie!

Now, we can split a Dole Whip Float on our way towards the front gate. From there, we catch the Monorail to the Transportation and Ticket Center, ride the tram to our car, and drive home! Oh, Florida has such wonderful sunsets!

Day 8- Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom!  Yes, it is a beautiful afternoon at Magic Kingdom.  Oh!  There is Marie, she is just coming out and going to take pictures.  We stopped for our Starbucks on Main Street and then started for the Little Mermaid ride.  As we got closer to Cinderella’s Castle, a man hollered, “Obviously there must be a Starbucks here!”  I said, “Yes, they are located in the Bakery on Main Street.”  Laughter and a shout of thanks and we continued on our way.

I took a minute to enjoy all of the flowers in the Rose Garden. If you are a flower lover, it is a nice spot to rest your eyes and take in the picturesque moment.

We stopped to see the clowns performing near Storybook Circus, then, we scanned our fast passes for the Voyage of the Little Mermaid!  I love this ride.  You sit in a huge seashell and are taken through the most magical ride; you feel as if you are seeing the whole movie in living color.

Next stop is to meet Elsa and Anna in Princess Fairytale Hall.  We got in line and in a few minutes we met the ladies behind us.  Seems we met some fellow Texans!!  The mom shared that they come to the parks several times a year and her daughter runs in the Disney races!  How fun!! I know Tooti has wanted to do a runDisney race for a while. Her daughter-in-law was with them and she had the coolest book that she brought with her for the characters to sign.  I love these ladies!  It as a storybook, and she showed us where Cinderella’s stepsisters had rewritten their part of the story and autographed their page.  I have to find that book…  New project!

 We saw some of the Citizens of Main Street, including the lovely Victorian ladies, Victoria Trumpetto and Beatrice Starr, as well as Fire Chief Smokey Miller!  They are truly a delight to get to talk to!  Mary Poppins was holding a little girl’s hand and walking near the entrance. Beautiful.

God just seems to put the right people in my path. I loved today, even on the way back to the parking lot.  On the monorail, a lady kept kind of peeking around at my kids and me; she looked like she wanted to say something.  So, I said, “Hi, how are you?”  “Fine, thank you!”  Still, she looked like she wanted to talk, so I continued, “Where are you from?”  “Canada!”  “Oh, cool, we have a friend that is from there.  When we take pictures of Canada in Epcot, he always comments!”  That made her laugh and tell me the wonderful blessing her son is.  He and her daughter-in-law are renewing their vows for their 20th anniversary and he brought everyone with them.  Also, her daughter, who is 49, just got married for the first time on Friday, and then Sunday after the wedding they came to Disney!  We got to celebrate the wonderful things that are happening in her life and it is so fun to hear people’s stories!  I love this most of all!