Magic Kingdom! This park is my favorite and it never fails to deliver on the magic, but this year that magic got started at an insane hour because some crazy woman (who me?) planned a breakfast at 8:30am. That's right, we had to be AT the park, IN our restaurant by that time. What was I thinking? Oh wait, photos on Main Street with Lily in full princess regalia with (almost) no crowds in the backround, yup, that's what I was thinking :)
Everyone got up without much of a fuss and Lily got LOTS of oohing and aahing over her outfit from the second she walked out the hotel door. On the tram, on the monorail, and in line where there were lots of Cinderella's and Belle's but no Snow White (what can I say, we're old school with our princesses). Once inside we made a mad dash to take photos against the castle, but you think my kid would give me a decent smile? Lily, you are in DISNEY WORLD smile for goodness sake!

We weren't eating at the castle (too pricey), but at Crystal Palace. A full breakfast buffet was the only way we could get daddy on board with such an early morning. I love this shot even though there is no smile ... AGAIN.

I've only ever eaten there for lunch/dinner so I was not prepared for the huge lines that breakfast brings. Most of the time I spent in line only to have Doug have to take over my spot because a character was coming and I'm chief photographer. Not the most relaxing breakfast ever, but it was worth it for the kids who love seeing Pooh and the gang. Aw heck, we love it too.




The park had just opened while we were finishing up, and one of the main perks of early reservations is you are in the park before the rope drops. So, I left Doug and the kids with directions to meet me at the princess meet and greet and I bolted to Space Mountain to grab our Fast Passes. Then a quick jog back to take Lily in to see the Princesses. Zack had NO interest in this so the boys waited outside.
When I walked in I was bummed to find out that Snow White wasn't here, and that was big on Lily's list. Meeting the princesses was so cute because they kept calling her "my sister!" and saying "we missed you, where have you been?" which was a little lost on Lily, but I thought it was sweet. A perfect Disney moment.

They would try and talk to her, but she was a little shy.

Belle was great and really got her talking although I couldn't hear much of the conversation with all the cameras snapping and people talking.

This 'deer in the headlights' look is something she always does when taking character photos.

Cinderella came over and walked with her to the autograph area, chatted with her ...

taught her how to hold her dress up and curtsy ...

I sure wish she'd told her how to look into the camera as part of her princess training.

After we left, we found out the Snow White has a spot all her own and at least 2 people ran to tell us what time she would be out for autographs (they could tell it was a big deal for Lily). Turns out it was right next to Town Hall and we headed over to wait. It was by far the highlight of Lily's day and deserves a post all it's own. Some of the cutest photos ever, and it makes my heart squish just thinking about how sweet and innocent little girls are when they are small.