The Magic Kingdom

February 4-5, 2026                                                            Most Recent Posts:
Disney’s Pop Century Resort                           Finishing January at Silver River
Walt Disney World                                      Finally Paddling on the Silver River
Orlando, Florida

POP CENTURY RESORT
Wednesday February 4

I picked up Carrie and Celia from the Orlando Airport and we drove to Disney World for three fabulous days.  We stayed at Pop Century Resort which we were very happy with.

Our room was on the third floor and we were just above giant Tramp’s ears.  You can see Lady on the other side of the center grassy plaza which has a heated pool. 

We got checked in and being from Maryland where you couldn’t even consider getting in the pool in February, Celia wanted to swim.  This was the only day the weather was going to be reasonable for that so in they went.  The pool was heated but it was late in the day so they didn’t stay long and as you can see, no one else was quite that brave.

Inside the room there was a welcome screen on the TV so we always could flip to that for the time and weather and to check out anything and everything going on.

We had dinner at the Pop Century diner and the food was surprisingly good and more reasonably priced than anything we had later on.

But after a full day of travel, a swim and dinner, someone was tired.

THE MAGIC KINGDOM
Thursday February 5

Thursday was the worst weather day of our 3 day stay but how can you not go to the Magic Kingdom on your first day at Disney?   It was 55 degrees and raining when we took the bus.  But as you can see rain or not we were happy to be on Main Street.  I felt sorry for Celia having to wear a sweat shirt and sweat pants under her “princess dress”.  But she didn’t seem to care.

First thing to do is to go see the Princesses.   Here are my princesses waiting in line.

I loved the Disney Incredibles folks waiting in line in front of us while waiting in line.  The youngest didn’t like the mask but I’m guessing she is why they are here.  Aren’t they great!

Though I do wonder how much of this she will remember if it’s a one time visit. 

Since Carrie came at age 8 she thought that was a great age and brought Celia at age 9.   What age do you think is best for a first visit?

Once it is your turn, you see two princesses one right after the other.  Snow White was first.

Celia was thrilled and I wondered what it would be like to have your job be playing Snow White or Cinderella all day.  I’m sure Celia would think it would be wonderful.

She saw Cinderella next.

The park opens at 9am but if you are staying in a Disney property you can get in at 8:30.  So of course we were there and took advantage of fewer people to take the obligatory picture in front of the Castle on our way to Fantasy Land for a family tradition. 

After my parents moved to Florida from Ohio in 1979, my mother absolutely loved coming to Disney World and her favorite ride was It’s a Small World. 

When Carrie was  8, David and I brought her and her friend Emma, whose mother, unlike us, was not at all interested in coming to Disney World and was THRILLED we would take Emma so she didn’t have to go,  

My mother came over for a day and we must have done the ride at least 4 times then.  We did it twice today and probably would have done it more had we had more time.   Now 4 generations love It’s a Small World and sing its song over and over.  Is it going through your head now?

The ride’s debut was April 22, 1964 at the World’s Fair in New York before moving to Disney Land.  It has been at Disney World since the park opened in 1971 unlike many other rides that have come and gone.

It has since become a staple in Disney parks worldwide, celebrating, in 2024, its 60th anniversary of the World's Fair debut.  I would love to have come to ride it that year in celebration.  I wonder exactly how they celebrated here.

We had such fun trying to identify which country we were floating past in this small world.  It’s such a wonderful message that sadly is mostly forgotten.

Then it was back to princesses as we went to see Celia’s favorite Belle from Beauty and the Beast.

Some of the children who raised their hands to volunteer were chosen to play  parts in the little skit they did with Belle.

Celia was Mrs Potts. She was THRILLED!!

I thought she poured her tea admirably.

Wish the picture weren’t a little blurry, her smile is great.

Each actor got to take a bow with Belle.  I’m not sure why my camera gave these pictures a pink cast.

I loved that though they didn’t volunteer, two of the dads played the guards and had a great time.   This is the kind of father every child should have.

Carrie bought the photo package so several times each day we stopped at some of the many many spots where one of the photographers was and had our picture taken.  They did SO many pictures and they were quite good.  She sent this one to me.  I thought it was very clever.  At the time we had no idea why he wanted me to hold out my hand.  This is from the Be Our Guest scene in Beauty and the Beast.  (wonder what it would be like to be a photographer at Disney World?)

Thankfully the rain took a break so there were no umbrellas blocking the view for little people of the Castle Show Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire.

We were up pretty close so Celia had a good view and was mesmerized.  How wonderful it was to see my granddaughter so into the minute having such a great time.

Of course things got “Frozen”.

Here’s a short video of a small piece of the show.  

Unfortunately try as she might, Celia was not able to pull Excalibur from the stone.  Although it probably would have worked better if she had been pulling up instead of pushing down as it looks like she is doing.   Too funny!!!

Disney gives buttons.  Carrie had a Birthday button because the 7th, our last day, was her birthday.  Celia had a First Visit Button.  David and I came to Disney for 5 days and stayed in Fort Wilderness nearly every year from 2012 to 2018 either around my December birthday or his January birthday.  It was always so much fun to be surprised when someone said “Happy Birthday” as apparently the cast and crew were trained to do.  The buttons weren’t that big.  This was one of the photo spots.

We rode up in the air with Dumbo.

Went under the sea with the little Mermaid Ariel

I’ll admit my favorite character from this movie is Ursula the evil sea witch with octopus tentacles.

But she loses to King Triton for rule of the ocean.   At Disney the good guys always win.  I think that’s why we call it Fantasyland.

Of course we had to ride the Carousel.   How I love the smile on my baby’s face.

More Princesses.   Though Belle is her favorite, Rapunzel is second.  Celia had on a Rapunzel dress which she proudly told her.

This was a longer than usual visit as they did a dance together.   I’m pretty sure this isn’t the standard for every visit and might have happened because Celia told Rapunzel about her dress.  So sweet!

Dreams do come true.

Here’s a very short video of their dance.  For whatever reason you have to click the picture to get it to play.   The play arrow disappears immediately

And, since here in Disney World the princesses always come in twos, Celia also got to visit with Tiana from the Princess and the Frog.  Celia looks pretty proud of herself after learning how to curtsy.  See it in this very short video.   Same problem with the click here and you may have to run it through twice to see the curtsy it is so short.

And of course we had to see the Main Street Parade.

The floats are amazing.  Here is Belle and the Beast.  I imagine this beast’s costume is fine in February but I wonder about July.

Can you name the princesses by now?

I was happy to see some old favorites like Peter Pan

Captain Hook

   and Tinker Belle

I don’t know what Disney movie this creature is from.  Maybe you can tell me.  But RIGHT after this shot and RIGHT before I could get another one.   Flames roared out of his mouth.  It was quite something.

Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs didn’t get a float but they danced down the street together.

And of course bringing up the  closing was the float with Micky and Minnie mouse in the balloon basket.

Their closest friends danced along in front of them.

It’s winter so Sunset was at 6:10 pm although the park didn’t close until 10pm.  Of course we stayed until the very end of a VERY LONG day and saw the fabulous fireworks but it was too dark for any decent pictures. 

So I’ll close this memory making day with a picture of us and the Mouse Who Started It All.