Visiting the Magic Kingdom with a 7 year old

Aaron came to visit us for a few days and brought his granddaughter Izzy - yea! Fortunately there is something nearby that 7-year-olds love - Disney! Aaron and Izzy came prepared with tickets in hand, so we got there before 9 and took the ferry from the parking lot to the Magic Kingdom. Once we were inside we looked around just a little while heading over to Pete's Silly Circus, where we met Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy. They all signed Izzy's autography book, although Donald had to really focus on the task.

Next we went on Goofy's Barnstormer roller coaster. Then we got on Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, which is a combination ride and aracade game. Izzy and I sat in one cart and Randy and Aaron were in the next cart. I think we would have beat them if the ride hadn't stalled in a section where they could keep shooting for points, but left us with only them as a target. That was fun, but it didn't get us many points. Next was the Carousel of Progress, and I blush to admit I dozed off for a few seconds on that ride. Then we walked across the park to get to the Big Thunder Mountain roller coaster. While we were still on this ride, the rain started coming down for real. So when we got off, we walked (quickly) over to the Country Bear Jamboree, which is an inside show. And by the time the show ended, so had the rain. Next we got a Dole Whip, which was yummy, then went on Ariel's Under the Sea ride. That left us just enough time to go on the Tea Cup ride before we went to the front of Cinderella's castle for the Festival of Fantasy parade. The parade was delayed because of the weather, but 30 minutes later it started. It's amazingly beautiful, although I miss the dragon, who had a malfunction recently and is out of commission. 

The big stars of the parade, of course, are Mickey and Minnie.

Afterwards we went to the Monsters Inc Laugh Floor, where screen characters interact with the live audience. Then Izzy and I took on to a ride on the big Carousel. 

We got to meet Princess Ariel, before heading back to the center of the park for the Street Faire Dance Festival. Minnie was there, although she couldn't get down off the float to party with us.

Next we went to meet Princess Rapunzel, who told us quite a tale about the goings on in her neighborhood, 

 before posing for us.

Princess Tiana was there too, looking absolutely beautiful. She and Izzy traded cooking tips.

We were starting to get tired, but we still found time to go on Aladdin's Magic Carpet ride. This ride gives the riders some control over the up-and-down motion of the cart; with Izzy at the controls, we were always up! Then we walked back to the front of the park, where a huge full rainbow arched over the Theater.

Finally we took the monorail back to the parking lot, then had a long, tired ride home.