Cape May Cafe–A New Dining Experience for Us

And one that we will repeat for sure!!  The Cape May Cafe is located in the Beach Club Resort which is absolutely gorgeous! 

Mom, Hannah and I headed there for an early breakfast before our day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

My friend Kristy gave me this adorable little Minnie Mouse outfit for Hannah at a shower just 2 days before I received her referral.  It was so cute and although I took it with us to Disney in August I just couldn’t put it on her as the weather was so hot and I kept her in cotton clothing as much as possible.  This time it was different as it was a beautiful day in the high 70’s and she was excited to wear the pink dress with adorable white bloomers!

I’ve done a lot of character meals over the years and this one was wonderfully different in that it had a calmer, quieter mood to it.  Even though we were seated right beside the buffet we never felt crowded or out in the open.  I would highly recommend this character meal to everyone!

One treat for Hannah was that she was able to try her very first hot chocolate ever and oh boy was it a huge hit!

As we dined we were joined by 3 of Hannah’s clubhouse pals dressed appropriately for a day at the beach!  First to visit our table was Donald Duck and Hannah was all set for him!  I love to watch her little reaction and excited smile at the end of the video and this was typical of her reaction whenever a character came by.

Goofin’ with Goofy

Hannah thought Goofy was really funny when he pretended to eat her head!

Minnie…meet Minnie!

We enjoyed our time at Cape May Cafe and will return again someday, especially since it’s just a short walk from the resort to Epcot.  But for this visit it was time for a quick change for Hannah then a swing by Pop Century to pick up Nana and Papa for our day at the Studios!

A Magical Day in the Magic Kingdom

Wednesday we were up and on the road by 6am but rather than heading to the ‘bread store’ as Hannah likes to call it, we were on our way to Disney!!   It had been all of 8 weeks since we were last there and we knew that Mickey might be missing us!  (Grandpa decided to stay in The Villages this trip and do some golfing with Uncle Paul and Aunt Louise so he missed visiting the Mouse.)

After saying good bye to Nana and Papa at Pop Century (who were spending the day at Epcot and Animal Kingdom) Grandma, Hannah and I boarded our ‘Mickey Mouse school bus’ (Hannah’s term) and headed over to the Magic Kingdom!

For as often as I have been at Disney, there is still nothing like entering the park and realizing that we’re really there!  The Happiest Place on Earth!!  It was beautiful this time as it was also decorated for Christmas which means a treat for your eyes around each corner and Christmas music filled the air!  Oh yes, Christmas!!

With Toontown closed to create the new Fantasyland Expansion, many of the characters have been relocated to the front of the park.  We decided to meet some of them early in the day so that we could spend the rest of our time enjoying the rides, shows and parade.

The last time we were at Disney we missed meeting Daisy Duck so she was first on our wish list of characters to see.  Once again Hannah was literally jumping with excitement as we waited in line but was a little star struck when Daisy was right beside her. 

 

 

 

 

Pinocchio was also there so we took a moment to meet him too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After this we headed inside to meet some precious princesses and Mickey too!  This pic makes me laugh as it was taken just as we entered the royal room where the princesses were waiting to greet us.  As you enter there is a roped area where the queue is formed.  We entered the room and before I realized what was happening Hannah was under the rope and running as fast as she could to greet Belle and Cinderella who were waiting to greet the little princes and princesses!  They bent down and spoke with her and then waved good-bye as she came back to me.  Oh how I love the spontaneity and excitement of being two!! 

Soon it was Hannah’s turn to meet each of the princesses and this time she was excited to show them the pictures she had from our trip last November.  What a difference a year makes!

Princess Aurora

Belle

Cinderella

After the princesses we used Fastpasses to visit Mickey Mouse.  While we were waiting to go in Hannah asked where Minnie was.  You should have seen her smile when she looked in and saw both Mickey and Minnie waiting to greet her!!

Next it was time for rides, shows and a parade!  Spinning teacups.

Carousel

Dumbo

Getting ready for Mickey’s PhilharMagic

We went on ‘it’s a small world’ and I had to take a pic of this.  Whenever Hannah sees these little people on the swings she looks at me and says with great concern and a furrowed brow, ‘Dey should sit down Mommy!’  Heh!

Relaxing with Grandma

Surprised by Stitch!  We were standing discussing where to go next and how to plan for Hannah’s nap when I felt this warm hand in the middle of my back.  I looked beside me and was shocked to see Stitch standing there!  He asked Hannah for a High 5 which she happily gave him and then went back to the kiddos in line.  Little surprise moments like this are fun!

Sharing her drink with Minnie Mouse

As we were leaving the park the festivities for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party were just getting started and it was snowing on Main Street!  Hannah was excited to see the snow and did her best to catch it before it hit the ground.

Our first day at Disney was a huge success and the 3 of us shared a wonderful day together!  What fun it was to be in the Magic Kingdom with my Mom and Hannah!

Disney Trip 2011 Day 3: Epcot, Day 1, Part 1

(Monday, August 29, 2011) We woke Monday morning and it was nice to take our time in the morning knowing that our breakfast reservation wasn’t until 10:40am.  We still arrived at Epcot early and took our traditional start of day group pics.  Unfortunately all the group ones I have are on our Disney Photopass and since I haven’t ordered the CD yet I cannot post the pics.   Just imagine the 4 of us with the Epcot ball behind us and yup, you’ve got the right idea!

Unfortunately this mornings map pic was taken with a less than cooperative co-pilot.  You’ll see in many of this trip’s pics that Hannah is at a stage where sometimes she’s a ham for the camera and calls to me to, ‘Take my picture Mommy!’ and other times she’s like, ‘Yah, I don’t feel like looking and you can’t make me.’  Oh well, it makes for cute pics that we will laugh at later!

I’ll say now that Epcot is always one of those parks that surprises me.  When I think of what it offers and going there with a toddler and tween, I wonder what we’ll do to amuse ourselves.  Before we know it 2 days of fun are behind us and there is still much that we didn’t do.  How does that happen time and time again?  Does anybody else find this?

After taking the customary pics at the front of the park we secured Fastpasses for Soarin’ (the favourite Epcot ride of Nana and I) and then rode ‘The Land.’  The Land is one of those rides we do each trip and yah, we probably don’t need to but since we had to wait for our reservation and it’s tradition, I coaxed dragged Rebecca on to it.  

By now it was time to make our way into the World Showcase and to the Norway pavilion,  destination:  Askershus Royal Banquet Hall for breakfast with the princesses!  Princess Hannah had checked herself in her royal mirror in the morning

but by the time we reached the restaurant the princess’ crown had slipped a little and she was showing her toddler side with flair!

After some crawling and rolling HRH was ready to wait for her name to be summoned along with that of her royal party.

While waiting she also browsed her autograph album with Bec Bec.

Upon entering the Royal Hall Hannah was immediately star struck!  Throughout the entire breakfast she looked up at the princesses like she could hardly believe they were truly there!

Belle in her formal ball gown!

Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)

Snow White who made Hannah’s day by asking her if she could kiss her forehead.  After that there was no washing for my little girl.  After a few hours it smudged off and I gently removed it when she wasn’t paying attention.

Cinderella

and finally Rebecca’s favourite, Ariel!

Throughout the visits with the princesses we were served an absolutely delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs with cheese, bacon, sausage, hash brown casserole as well as fresh fruit and yogurt.  Askershus’ breakfast is my favourite breakfast at Disney!

While the princesses are visiting the tables, an announcement is made that it is time for the Royal Parade.  Look how adorable my sweet baby girl is walking holding Cinderella’s hand!  Part way through she runs back to the table to make sure we’re still there but then contentedly continues with the parade and is beside our table when the parade is finished.  Oh man did she enjoy this!  I still tear up watching this even though I’ve seen it over and over.  For so long I dreamed of Hannah and bringing her to Disney and here she is, holding Cinderella’s hand and happily parading through the restaurant!  Yes, dreams really do come true!!! 

After leaving breakfast the day was still young and we we off to enjoy the remainder of our day at Epcot!

Since there is still much to share I’m going to split this post into 2.   Coming next:  Epcot, Day 1, Part 2